The Thieves
Year: 2012
Director: Choi Dong Hoon
Writer: Choi Dong Hoon, Lee Gi Cheol,
Starring: Kim Yun Seok, Lee Jung Jae, Kim Hye Su, Jun Gianna, Kim Hae Suk, Simon Yam, Oh Sal Su, Kim Soo Hyun, Kwok Cheung Tsang,Lee Sinje, Joo Jin Mo, Shin Ha Kyun,
Easily described as Korea’s answer to Ocean’s 11, such a description is actually rather deceptive to just how wonderful The Thieves really is. Although it is most certainly a heist film that takes a lot from its Hollywood counterparts, like many Korean film it also twists the genre into new directions. Just when you think it’s offering up the same old kind of caper, the tone and plot take a dramatic shift. This is the film’s major strength, but it does require itself to drop many of the individual stories in order to pull off such a feat, as well as force the audience into being comfortable before pulling the rug out from under them.
A group of professional thieves are recruited by an old member and paired with a similar group of Chinese theieves in order to steal a very rare necklace. So far so basic, and for the first half it truly is. It all begins with a whimsical farce that incorporates humour and convenience, as well as detailing the dynamics of the group. The group also have a varied and rich history together with newly returned mastermind Macao Park (Kim Yun Seok) not being everybody’s favourite person for reasons gradually revealed. There’s some banter that sets up both the warmness of the group and their competitiveness, which is all fine and dandy, but does feel as though it’s following some strict beats.
As the major heist takes place halfway through the film, it’s then that the originality and brilliance come into play. Having introduced us to and made us like such a large group, director Choi reveals how something like this might actually go down. Things do go wrong, bullets fly, people die, and as these guys are criminals it’s the competitiveness and not necessarily the friendship that starts to shine through. It becomes more a dark action film that offers up car chases, shoot-outs, and an exhilarating sequence that incorporates wire-work, parkour, martial arts, and guns a plenty. The change in tone is sudden, but it is exactly this which shakes us from apathy. In all honesty, this is probably what would have happened to the likes of Clooney and Damon.
This change may upset some who were hoping to enjoy a heist film, which is why it may be better on a second viewing. There are some problems that remain though, with not every character getting a conclusion, and one just disappearing from the plot when they are no longer needed. Despite things going a darker route and becoming a bit too sinister as it all goes Infernal Affairs, the second half does retain a lot of the fun and frolics, with the action/thriller elements adding more weight to the sequences that were once just for fun. This is another shining example of the blockbuster quality filmmaking with a twist coming from Korea.
Will I enjoy it?
As stated, the film makes you believe it is one thing before turning into something else. This is of course always going to impress or alienate half the audience, especially if you picked this up for a specific reason. Fans of action will have to wait for the second half, while those interested in comedic chemistry and well orchestrated heists will be more involved with the first half. The change of allegiances and the certain fates of some characters will also upset or excite in equal measure. Not explicitly one thing nor another, this is one of those films where your enjoyment may be based entirely on your mood.
Woochi
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