Phantom (I) (2023)
8/10
Bucket of Emotion
10 August 2023
Pure firecracker of a spectacle, lacquered in glistening big-screen gloss, augmenting old-fashioned locked-room/whodunit approach and spycraft with con temporarily savage, propulsive, female-centred action, and well-timed dashes of comic relief. As far as styled-to-the-hilt historical pulp goes, a tremendously satisfying time. It's 1933 and Korea is occupied by Japan.

They are in the process of inaugurating a Japanese Governor.

There is a small organized Korean resistance group called the BLackout. It's members are called ghosts.

Their aim is to kick Japan out and assassinate the new Governor.

They have infiltrated the local government, the bravest of them being women.

After a failed assassination attempt, 5 members of the local government are taken to a remote castle to be interrogated by the Japanese.

They are suspected of being ghosts.

Among them is a vain Japanese police captain whose mother was Korean, making him a suspect.

It is in this castle that the carnage begins and eventually spreads.

Two dedicated Korean women prove to be invincible.

The cinematography is excellent as is the non-stop tempo and fight choreography.

The music was atmospheric and reflective of the time and the costume design was authentic.

I found the acting ensemble of Lee Hanee, Park So-Dam, Sol Kyung-gu and Park Hae-soo to be excellent.

For Korean movie lovers this spy action thriller is an enjoyable ride that should not be missed.
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