Lee Geum-ja (Lee Young-Ae) seems like the perfect lady: she's beautiful, kind and everyone loves her. Well, she is perfect aside from the small detail that she kidnapped and murdered a five year old boy. Even though she's perceived as a murderer in society, everyone seems to love her and that polka-dot dress she's seen in becomes the fashion statement of the moment. Hell, even in prison everyone loves her because she cares about everyone and helps them in different ways. (See a big fat lesbian who forces chubby women to perform oral sex on her who gets punished with a "clean stomach.") When she is released from captivity, she's a different person entirely and only looks at one option: to find Mr. Baek (Choi Min-sik) and kill him for putting her in prison for nine years.

There's a whole lot more to the story, but you'll have to watch to find out bastards! Anyways, the story moves perfectly, giving more details and showing more of Geum-ja's actions before the ACTUAL vengeance-fueled finale. The plot in the film seems more down to Earth than say Oldboy that doesn't include locking a man away in some room, drugging him and then erasing the new knowledge he found out with hypnosis. It also strides far away from the deep dark depressing mode that Oldboy/Mr. Vengeance strode into with and comes back with more of a tough drama and partially a comedy flick. Yeah, there's a bunch of stuff that had me laughing in this flick that ranged from a strange dream that Geum-ja has, from a Priest sporting the worst haircut I've ever seen on someone, to a scene where Geum-ja is whacked out on some PCP and she's hammin' it up with some Australians(CRIKEY!). Mr. Baek even gets on in the action when he out of the blue bends his wife over a table and just proceeds to rape the shit out of her while she regularly continues her meal and chats with him about shopping with her friends. But let's put it this way, even though the film has it's humorous moments, get ready for some dark moments that include a video camera that follows us to our blood-soaked finale which literally punches you in the chest.

Park Chan-wook isn't without his goodness about, his direction shines in every moment. He rarely misses a spot in this film, perhaps my favorite shot belongs to a scene in which a group of people (I won't spoil it) dress in plastic wrap and sit in a line awaiting to throw out some violence. Now, it had the idea that these people were awaiting their turn to unleash their hate and anger but it also was humorous to me because it looked like they were waiting in line for a ride at a water park and didn't want to get their clothes wet so they put on some plastic to make sure. His direction is a character of the film, from the different things he focuses on, Geum-ja's eye shadow or a huge ass bullet wound in the back of someones skull, it's all good. This is accompanied by a great musical score that goes with every scene it shows up in. I don't know, sometimes music is plain bullshit in movies but it adds to the strength of the scenes that would otherwise seem a bit dull.

The acting in Lady Vengeance is greatness, plain and simple. Although most of the characters in the film do a good job, it's really Lee Young-Ae's show. She is a presence on the screen and hits it well out of the ballpark. Her character goes through a transformation and blames it on Mr. Baek (who is more or less responsible) and in turn thinks that ridding the world of him with complete her quest for redemption. Every scene you can relate with her story, you can get into what she's offering at the plate. Her performance in believable if anything and is the bright shining spot on the film. Choi Min-sik is awesome, enough said. There's even some worth while cameos in the film, ranging from Yu Ji-tae (Oh Dae-su's captor in Oldboy) and Song Kang-ho (JSA, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance). Hell even the Australians didn't bring back bad memories of those white bastards in JSA.

Although it's not perfect, Lady Vengeance is a hell of a film that Park Chan-wook goes all out on and delivers the goods. I'd still have to say that Oldboy is my favorite out of the three but this one comes close. I would usually end with saying what you would like or wouldn't like depending on who you are but I'd really have to kick you in the nuts if you didn't want to sit through this one. No explosions here but who f*cking cares? There's more than enough to please my mind for time limit and I suspect you'll love the movie too (Just don't expect an Oldboy type twist finale, but not to worry the ending here is just as powerful). What's next from the great director? I hear something about mental hospitals and vampires....bring it on.

Released from prison after thirteen years for a shocking child murder, Geum-Ja (Lee) plots revenge on the man who put her there. That this man is Choi Min-Sik, Oldboy himself, should be proof that 'Sympathy for Lady Vengeance' (released in the UK as 'Lady Vengeance') matches the first two instalments blow for blow.

Together with the female inmates Geum-Ja helped and manipulated in prison, her plan of revenge begins to take shape when she is released. Matters complicate when Geum-Ja's daughter, living with adopted Australian parents, insists on returning to Korea. And Choi Min-Sik's abominable Mr Baek harbours a secret far greater than being responsible for the botched kidnapping Geum-Ja did time for.

The restrained visual style of 'JSA' and 'Sympathy for Mr Vengeance' has now been replaced with the directorial pyrotechnics of 'Oldboy'; digital effects, a rich white and red colour scheme and the most fluid camerawork since David Fincher's, this is a feast for the eyes. However, there is more than CGI-candy: 'Sympathy for Lady Vengeance' is loaded with religious imagery, but Geum-Ja's dark wardrobe and a subtle use of hellish crimsons suggests she is not solely on the side of the angels.

Park's storytelling audacity outdoes his other Vengeance movies: using an intricate flashback structure the first hour recalls Geum-Ja's prison time and the formation of her plan, which isn't revealed until near the halfway point, and then only to a minor character. The playful, kinetic style of the first hour alters midway to a far darker, more upsetting second hour when Geum-Ja carries out her plan to kidnap Mr Baek and discovers the situation is more extreme than she imagined.

Park risks losing his audience with this abrupt shift, but those willing to stay the course can expect a thrilling, rocky journey. Although containing less onscreen violence than 'Sympathy For Mr. Vengeance' or 'Oldboy', here it is far ghastlier. Accusations of bad taste will be fired from some quarters, but Park is not afraid to morally assault his audience.

Lee's hungry performance as Geum-Ja is far removed from the nice-girl roles that made her famous in Korea, but as the beautiful avenging angel (and devil) she gives a career best. Choi Min-Sik belies his sympathetic performance in 'Oldboy' or 'Crying Fist' with a portrayal of pure evil.

Providing meat for the mind as well as fireworks for the senses 'Sympathy for Lady Vengeance' is one of the best films of 2006. Park's next film, the tentatively titled I'm a Cyborg, But That's Okay will prove whether he can serve warm dishes as well as cold.

"Sympathy for Lady Vengeance" is Park Chan-Wook's third and final chapter in his "Revenge Trilogy" (with "Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance" and "Old Boy" being the first and second respectfully). All three films are not connected story or character wise, but they do share the obvious revenge theme, as well as the same circle of known actors in Park's other films.

In "Sympathy for Lady Vengeance," (don't worry, no spoilers here) Kum-ja (Lee Young-ae) is charged with the kidnapping and murder of a boy and is sent to prison for 13 years. Because of her stunning good looks, the media feeds off her situation and in the process, nearly make her a celebrity (ie Natural Born Killers). Her bright, polka-dotted, fall dress becomes her image trademark. Even in prison, she makes a name for herself by being an inspiration or "saint" (complete with glowing face) to fellow cell mates because of her kind heart and inspirational speeches.

When Kum-ja is released, she becomes cold hearted and the good old revenge story follows with twists, turns, savage violence, and a truly bad ass gun that I wouldn't mind owning... that's all you need to know. ;)

"Sympathy for Lady Vengeance" takes Park Chan-Wook's unorthodox style to a greater level than all of his films combined. Lavish dream sequences, black & white shots, and even scratchy/aged film stock effects. Most notably is the surreal imagery that pops in and out. It's pure eye candy, even though some of it is strange as hell... (and this is a good thing!) The music, consisting of crisp orchestrated pieces, enhance the movie in every right way.

Lee Young-ae's performance is amazing. Think Brigitte Lin in "Chungking Express," only with more depth and color. She's not exactly youthful-looking (after all, she's supposed to play a thirty-something), but her charisma and diverse acting ability makes her appealing. Choi Min-Sik... need I say anything about that guy?

"Sympathy for Lady Vengeance" is definitely not Park Chan-Wook's best film (Mr. Vengeance is still my favorite!) but it certainly shows his continuing growth as a director whose work will probably be studied and imitated for years to come.