Oldboy - C

Rated R, 104 minutes

Lee's remake of "Oldboy" a bloody disappointment

Josh Brolin

There are just certain things you don't mess with, and the 2003 Park Chan-wook classic South Korean film "Oldboy" is one of them. Mysteriously weird and haunting, that version of "Oldboy" has achieved legendary status over the last 10 years, and it comes as no surprise that there would be an American remake. The new Spike Lee version is suitably downbeat and violent, and in spite of a few entertaining moments, it's a misfire. Joe Doucett (Josh Brolin), an advertising executive, is kidnapped and held prisoner for twenty years in solitary confinement. After he is suddenly released, he goes on a mission to find the person responsible for his imprisonment, later discovering that his life is still caught in conspiracy and torment. This unnecessary, unsatisfying 2013 remake of "Oldboy" is well-cast and sometimes pops with bloody energy, but overall Lee's version is a bit tame, exhausting to watch and in spite of a lot of small changes to the original film, doesn't improve upon anything. Brolin is a likably gruff but bland protagonist who lacks widespread appeal; even better is Sharlto Copley ("District 9") as a slimy millionaire pulling the strings in this sordid affair, while Samuel L. Jackson has fun as another lower level villain. "Oldboy" is what it is - an old fashioned revenge flick - but the twists and turns (especially in the last act) here lack the mystery of the original and underscore how ridiculous it all seems. There are a couple of torture scenes that are both excruciating and fun to watch, depending upon your level of tolerance for this type of thing; however, the fight scenes are where Lee clearly falters, those scenes are sloppily choreographed and seem a haphazard addition, only proving that Brolin, while demonstrating decent acting chops, is out of his league when it comes to martial arts. "Oldboy" has a few entertaining moments and overall it isn't terrible, but bottom line it was a mistake to remake a classic thriller. Skip this one and rent Chan-wook's much more satisfying film instead.

Wes's Grade: C