The City Of Violence: Viewer Comments

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The City Of Violence
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    by WuxiaFan


The action in this movie is just incredible! That alone makes this movie worth having. The story is very good, but the acting gets a little melodramatic at some points. Plus the back and forth flashbacks get a little annoying at times. Overall, I recommend this movie!
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    by nyknickscja


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    by TheChosenOne
    facebook.com/richard.trondsen


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    by Cedman15


AGREE?READER COMMENTSAUTHOR
Ycorrect rating.I love you rater haters
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    by DarkHumour


An action-packed movie from Korea. A story of brotherhood between men, but greed can pull their friendship apart. The last twenty minutes are packed with continuous action mayhem.
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    by JJR


A great movie with excellent plot and action.
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    by LC37204


Very unique Korean martial arts film!
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    by MW2541


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    by 100pr00f
    Wutang-corp.com


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    by DeathShrike


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    by DE45152


For the most part, I really liked "The City of Violence." It had elements that reminded me of "City on Fire" and "Bullet to the Head", yet it still maintained its own identity. The fight choreography especially was a pleasant surprise. Nicely done.

Unfortunately, I was disappointed with the way the movie ended. It wasn't the climactic battle scene(s), though. Those were fine. Really good, actually. No, it was literally the last scene of the movie. I just thought it was weak compared to everything that came before it. It's not enough to keep me from watching the movie again, but it's a big enough factor to knock it down a peg or two (well, a peg-and-a-half at least) from perfection.

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    by chronolever
    www.myspace.com/sleightoffoot


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    by JM26455


Solid all-round action/crime flick.
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    by RD11706
    www.hyphenmovies.com




"City of Violence" is an instant classic--full of style with enough substance to keep it going.

None of the performances in this film may be award-winning, but none of them are bad either. Director Ryu Seung-Wan put together some really magnificent sequences that keep the film going when the story might drag a bit. Both the editing and the cinematography are really innovative. The writing, although not too creative, is well done. There's a lot of good dialogue and some interesting characters.

The action is fantastic. It’s some of the best from Jung Doo-Hung. It may be corny and a bit crazy at times, but it works. He combined some of the hard hitting stuff from "Fighter in the Wind" with some of the realistic stuff from "Bar Legend: Three Fellas", and made it all very entertaining. The finale is over 15 minutes long, but very varied, so it doesn’t get boring.

This one will surely please fans across the board with the excellent action sequences and stunning visuals.

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    by Master Cho Ye Fang


Dark plot - a lot of the action was over the top. I did feel sympathy for a very violent lead character. Not your typical action flick.
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    by Garvinstomp




I really expected a very simple point a to point b story. But there's actually some depth to the character with a nice little narrative that invests you a little more in the story. It's not "Memento", but it isn't supposed to be. With a nice little story of "two guys against the world are out for revenge", all that's really left to look at is the action.

It's important to understand how different Asian movies are affected by which country they actually come from. Since this is a Korean movie, you're going to have a primarily Tae Kwon Do-based flim. Lots of straightforward kicks, spinning kicks, and simple hand techniques. But it's not HK, so you're not going to have kung fu and an overabundance of flying around and gymnast-esque moves. Similiary, not being a Thai flick, you won't get the all out Muay Thai elbows and knees like Tony Jaa.

I only mention this because some people are specifically looking for one type of martial art without realizing it. Most people want kung fu after the rise of "The Matrix" and Jet Li, Jackie Chan, and Donnie Yen in the west. This is not that. It is more straightforward, less acrobatic and showy than kung fu, but also more brutal. There's one fight sequence that's reminiscent of "The Warriors", just a big ole brawl between the main characters and a bunch of "themed" gangs. And the final fight is something to behold. Just a beatdown of the most epic variety in size and brutality. It puzzles me that one reviewer called the final fight "illogical". Isn't that the crux of all martial arts films? That one or two people can take down legions of baddies with just their bare hands?

The story is well-paced and interesting while the action is brutal and well put-together. I very much recommend this movie for anyone looking for a solid action/martial arts title. If that's what you're into, then this is a perfect choice.

AGREE?READER COMMENTSAUTHOR
YThe points you raise are essential to a proper understanding of Korean film. I am most impressed with the best of South Korean action cinema, in part because the fighting is closer to real life than is HK. I believe these fights could really happen.Jeffrey Frawley
Ytotally agree with you're good review my friend this film is fantastic and it's sure to entertain any action junkie.kung fu kid
Ygood points made.Bastard Ronin
YGood review, "City of Violence" is a great revenge movie.JV47842
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    by Movie Freak


This man knows entertainment. He incorporated many aspects from old school films that many of us grew up watching and loving. This film has the brotherhood thing going, the filthy-mouthed cool badass dialogue, the heroes who didn't fear death, everything that was simple. But audiences dug it. Sure, many people said that this film wasn't all that special, but I felt that it was something we haven't seen in a long time. The action scenes incorporated a lot of tae kwon do and other martial arts movements, and the spaghetti western music was awesome because it hit the spot. Definitely a great and entertaining film.
AGREE?READER COMMENTSAUTHOR
YCat, I think we see eye to eye on a bunch of issues. Totally agree. Tight review.Bastard Ronin
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    by VE4514


An action movie with a twist. One more reason why Korean action movies are gettting better than the ones from Hong Kong.
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    by Johnnie Freeze


This does not lack in cool fights, and that's what a martial ats flick is all about.
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    by JA7296


Like a double hypodermic shot of adrenaline through both corneas straight into the bloodlust epicenter of the brain. This is the film that "Shoot 'Em Up" wanted to and failed to be. Further proof, if you needed it, that Hollywood is dead. Want action? Go east, young man!
AGREE?READER COMMENTSAUTHOR
YI agree this is a 5 star film it's a great revenge story- but I disagree on 1 thing I don't think Shoot Em Up tried to be this flick. If you like this director's work check out No Blood, No Tears or Arahan.JV47842
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    by I love you rater haters


This movie was just too violent. I know the director tried to give his interpretation of what it looks like from the inside of violence, but I wanted to see action with style like every other good martial arts film. In my opinion, this movie was meant to satify the thirst of European moviegoers and not so much that of the American ones. So if you are American and you like European style filmmaking, well then this is the movie for you.
AGREE?READER COMMENTSAUTHOR
NRyu Seung-wan does an excellent job of differentiating South Korean action from Hong Kong martial arts. While I enjoy the choreography of the sort of HK films you prefer, the realistic action here impresses me very highly. It 's not what you want but...Jeffrey Frawley
Yi didn't care for this film, but you need to be more accurate when reviewing MOVIE! OGA BOOGA!slave 2 (the ressurection)
NLOL "City of Violence" was too violent?TheDenizen
NThe rawness and realism of the fighting is what made this a fun film. Too violent ? Absolutely not!Master Cho Ye Fang
NThe film is excellent it mixes great genres after genres. The action is crowd-pleasing & offbeat. The film is recommend for everyone.Ashley
Nthis film wasnt all the european style and more crime and old school hong kong styled,which explains why the action is more raw and brutal and i believe that this film is actually not that violentMovie Freak
NThe movie was intense and a good story too. It was like little kill billRambo part 5 please
NI did not understand your review, but I thought this was worth more than 3 stars. The story was good & the action scenes were nicely done for the low budget it had.Black Belt Ninja
NThe film was goodKungfuManiac
NI didn't think this movie was suppose to satisfy European moviegoers or fans of Euro films. The director Seung-wan Ryoo is highly influenced by American films. The film shows a lot of American film references. I didn't find this film too violent itherJV47842
NToo violent? I think you might be confused about the nature of the movies that you watch.Bastard Ronin
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    by Bastard Ronin




I'm glad to see a lot of good reviews for this flick because it does kick so much ass that the asses that don't get kicked still live in fear. This review is for those of you who have not bothered to check this out yet. You're missing out. It's a well balanced blend of "old school" and "new school" sensibilities with influences ranging from classic samurai films to westerns to contemporary noir.

"City of Violence" is at its core a really tight revenge flick that plays out kind of like "Four Brothers" meets "Kill Bill" with, of course, a fairly standard twist. The martial arts aspect of the film is first class with Tae Kwon Do being showcased as an all purpose weapon that is clearly more vicious and functional amoung the people who originated it. The fights had true grit and a rawness that was mixed well with plenty of flash that gave them a distinct flavor. As for the end fight finale--it will knock your wobblies around. Wall to wall style and substance with a good story told in a good way using good talent.

If at this point you are still not interested in giving this movie a chance then fine but please move to the back of the bus and don't say shit when we pass your stop. Thanks for reading and remember nothing says "happy Easter" more than strippers and crack. I gotta go, the warden's coming.

AGREE?READER COMMENTSAUTHOR
YNo, I wouldn't have said it quite the same way, but this is an extremely good martial arts/revenge/thriller. The fights seem unusually authentic and direct. I have to watch this again right away.Jeffrey Frawley
Yyou took the words right out of my mouth this film rocks.kung fu kid
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    by JM30787


Cool movie. Great fights. Beautifully shot on a relatively low budget.
AGREE?READER COMMENTSAUTHOR
YI agree with you on this- it's a great pic.JV47842
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    by JV47842


I love this movie! A bloody roar of revenge in Korea. It's an amazing movie about two men who want answers to there friend's death. It takes them on a wild journey filled with insane characters, from gangsters to teenage sports players. "City of Violence" has great direction and an awesome soundtrack, with likeable main characters and an amazing last action scene. The fights are simply amazing.
AGREE?READER COMMENTSAUTHOR
YCouldn't agree more.Garvinstomp
NThe fight scene were amazing, I do agree, but it was how the director shot those amazing fight scenes. it seemed to me like the director wanted to show how good he was as a director and not a directing a martial arts movie. Watch this movie again.I love you rater haters
Ycant agree with you more this film is excellent well worth you're time.kung fu kid
YOh, yeah.Bastard Ronin
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    by ol skee


This is an action-packed Korean movie. It's a typical plot where a group of kids grow up and one of their own dies and two must find out the truth to their friend's death. Not suprisingly, one of the friends is found responsible for the death and all hell breaks loose for revenge. There isnt a whole lot of character development, but I guess thats not really necessary for a movie like this. I will say that it's got some nice shots and the end finale has remnants of "Kill Bill" to it, but with a different edge. Despite a lot of hard-hitting action, it's not one of those movies I'll be watching over and over again. Definitely worth a rental though.
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    by Jeffrey Frawley


Spoilers - just to be safe.

I salute this excellent film for three things: it is very well written; the acting is generally of high quality; and the ending is not sweetened to satisfy the supposed public taste for happy endings. If people like those presented in this film faced the situation here, this is what would happen. Bravo!

What has traditionally been best in both Hong Kong and Japanese action cinema can now most often be found in South Korean film. The general quality of recent HK film has declined, and that of Japanese film has declined appallingly. Let's see how long South Korea can maintain this streak.

AGREE?READER COMMENTSAUTHOR
YA very entertaing, bone crunching, and fast paced thrill ride.AH1706
YSouth Korea has been going pretty strong so far. Now we have to watch out for Thailand snowballing into martial arts movie domination.Bastard Ronin
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    by AKA Fatbob
    myspace.com/silentfatbob


Saw this as a trailer and thought might be worth a look? Was it? Yes, very much so. This is one of the [top] films of the year. It has everything you need. It is "Kill Bill" crossed with "Oldboy" crossed with a bit of "Fist Of Fury"/"Game Of Death". It has fights, action, over the top stunts/fights. I'm not one to tell what it's all about, because that sometimes gives the wrong impression, but if you think the trailer looks good, the film is!
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    by CJ3276


"City Of Violence" had everything you could wish for and more. If you want to get a bit picky, you could say it imatates "Kill Bill" in some ways. But Tarantino himself stole the ideas for "Kill Bill" from this sort of film like the old Shaw Brothers. The fight scenes are hyper but brutul and realistic--unlike the Crazy 88 fight in "Kill Bill", which is good but way over the top. If you have seen the director's other films you will enjoy this. It seems that this is the kind of film he set out to make previously. The best thing about this moive is that it throws everthing into the mix: freindship, corruption, murder, plot twists, but most of all some of the best old school kung fu I have seen since "Prodigal Son" and "The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter". A must for the real movie lovers out there.
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    by KW38938


Many people say that this is the weakest film by Ryu Seung-wan. It is actually one of the best. The film grabs you from the beginning to the end. It is a nice tale about betrayal among a group of friends, and revenge. The fights were lavish, yet gritty. Audiences will get that old school brawler when watching this. Buy it, it's really good!
AGREE?READER COMMENTSAUTHOR
YI totally agree with your assessment. This film is very good and the fights were very cool. Definitely a film worth buying.William Giordanella
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    by AC3950


Very stylish action film with a serviceable story.
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    by GS4334


Film has good fight scenes, but as a whole seems 'empty'. There is no chemistry between the two main leads, so story-wise you don't get involved in the film as much. Action wise, it contains some solid scenes, with the street-breakdancing-brawl a highlight, as well as the end fight scene. For this reason the film scores a 4 [out of 5] for me.
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