Escape (2024)

that sub plot is most definitely gay

I know that there is a lot of controversy when it comes to North Korean stories being told by South Koreans, but as someone who isn't Korean at all I can't comment on it. With every twist and turn I was able to stay surprised (as long as I was able to hold up my suspension of belief). Like any movie that involves guns there are scenes where people don't shoot when they could've brought someone down, but once you get to the end you sort of understand why. I didn't look at the casting beyond the two leads so I was very surprised with how many well know actors there were. With such a great cast of course the acting was good and I have no complaints. I really enjoyed the soundtrack especially the inclusion of zionT's song. I had not heard it before watching but it was a very impactful addition. I can see myself watching this again once it goes to streaming, but I highly recommend seeing it in theaters if you have the chance. I would recommend seeing this.

When it comes to the *potentially* queer subplot, I don't care what the director says. "The Bastard I Loved" says it all. My thoughts were summed up really well by an article on the IndieWire by David Opie and I recommend giving that a read if you are interested.

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Must-watch -- esp. on the big screen

As a fan of both of the lead actors, I had high expectations for this film, especially given that Lee Je-Hoon and Koo Kyo Hwan felt so confident in it that they jokingly offered to refund anyone who did not feel entertained, or like they got their money's worth (unless you purchased an IMAX ticket, of course). Despite my high expectations, I was not let down.

The film was thrilling. The story was well written, well-executed, and (importantly) well produced. The trailer does a great job of giving you a sense of the pacing for the story. It is an action-packed thriller, with twists and turns. While the story is mostly linear, it also relies on viewers understanding some subtext (e.g. the pre-established & hierarchical, but amicable relationship between the leads, and the changes in beliefs), it is well acted.

This movie is a GREAT watch and is *worthy* of watching on the big screen.

I'd venture as far as to say that it's the best movie I've seen all year. I'll be surprised (and disappointed) if Je-Hoon or Kyo Hwan don't win any awards for the film. As my biggest critique is that the end felt a bit rushed; nonetheless, I really enjoyed the watch, and I felt like I was still rooting for all the characters in the end.

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Imaculate Cast

Lee Je Hoon being one of my favourite actors, I simply could not resist watching this movie. I loved Koo Kyo Hwan in DP and this is similar role except on the North Korean side of the tale. There were also a few actors that have worked with LJH in Taxi Driver so that was a fun discovery! I was also surprised to see Song Kang. So the cast in this movie are another plus point.

The plot is quite simple. It is about a man's planning involved in defecting to South Korea. The main thrill lies in how difficult that plan actually is to execute. There are some predictable moments and a few that feel unbelievable. But the movie is engrossing despite that. It does have some incredible moments and a few comical ones.

I also liked the message behind the movie about having the freedom to choose. That is something everyone can connect with.

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[O canalha que eu amei]

O meu gaydar não errou nessa.

– Kyu Nam, acha que o sul será o paraíso?
Acha que vão deixar você ser livre, sem se importarem com sua origem?
Não existe tal paraíso.
– Pelo menos posso falhar.
Posso fazer o que quero e falhar, tentar novamente e falhar mais um pouco.
Não é ótimo?
Não podemos nem falhar aqui.
Vou até lá para falhar o quanto quiser.
– Acha que não havia nada que eu desejava fazer?
Trata-se apenas de viver.
Lutar é inútil.
– Só irei descobrir se é verdade quando eu me desafiar.
– Vá, e falhe o quanto quiser.

[Para Kyu Nam
Tema uma vida sem sentido, não a própria morte.
Feliz aniversário. de: Irmão pianista.]

Vivi muito tempo me sacrificando. Desperdicei dias a fio sem um pingo de ambição. mas tive esse pensamento de querer algo, mesmo que seja muito pequeno, posso realizar isso sozinho. Acho que queria me ver nesse estado. Esse era meu sonho. Então eu realizei meu sonho? Estou feliz? Sinceramente não sei. A vida ainda é difícil e às vezes choro sem motivo. mas consigo reunir minhas forças nesses momentos. Não posso simplesmente ficar parado. É por isso que estou feliz agora.

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Exciting adventure thriller with excellent performances

All the Hollywood action thrillers want what this movie has. The plot starts mid-action and always keeps moving, the tension never lets up, the fight sequences are nail-bitingly visceral, and the soundtrack balls out the whole time. Pair these with layered leads plus some scene-stealing side characters, and you have a winning addition to the North/South Korean political action drama pantheon. Besides, in this era of bloated scripts, Escape deserves extra points for its refreshingly trim 90 minute runtime.

Not sure why this only has 8/10 on here; it deserves at least a 9 in my book. Go and watch it!

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Unrealistic but interesting

I couldn't fully enjoy the movie. It has a lot of great elements, but also a lot of stupid, illogical and unrealistic details. I won't reveal spoilers but I will at least mention the first scene where we see the main character Im Gyu-nam mapping the way through the DMZ. The scene is full of tension and looks attractive, but it is completely unrealistic. The whole movie is like that. They don't represent the realistic view on North Korean regime but an anecdotal exaggeration of it. The events in the plot are so "extra" that until halfway through the film I kept asking myself: "Is this really happening?", and later I came to terms with the fact that the film is based on impossible plots and even more impossible instant resolutions. Maybe modern audience likes that, but to me it was a bit off putting from what is generally very engaging and interesting story.

Life in North Korea must be very difficult, and the film develops the theme of free will and choice well. Is it better to live in obedience-slavery but in security or to live in freedom but in uncertainty? The two main protagonists each answer this question in their own way.

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The simplicity of the plot makes it for me

I was delighted to watch this movie. Aside from seeing familiar faces, I just really loved the simplicity of the plot itself. Most of the North Korean-themed movies I've watched are too complicated or too heavy to understand adding the fact that it's just a movie so usually I just end up confused but this one is so simple, you know what's going to happen, what's happening, and stuff. I kinda wanted to know more about the nomads in the story rather than them just being a device plot. Some might say it is predictable, but it definitely is but I guess this is my cup of tea.

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Acting range of Lee je hoon

Lee Je-hoon delivers an exceptional performance, showcasing his remarkable range as an actor. From the moment he appears on screen, he pulls you into the emotional and psychological depths of his character. His portrayal is intense, yet nuanced, allowing the audience to fully connect with the desperation and determination that drive his actions.

What stands out most is Lee Je-hoon’s ability to balance the high-octane tension of the film with moments of quiet vulnerability. His facial expressions and body language convey so much more than words ever could, making each scene he’s in deeply impactful. Whether he’s navigating the chaos of the escape or reflecting on the personal costs of his journey, Lee Je-hoon brings a level of authenticity that is both compelling and heartbreaking.

This performance is a testament to Lee Je-hoon’s talent and his ability to elevate any role he takes on. Escape is a gripping film, and Lee Je-hoon’s performance is undoubtedly one of the key reasons it succeeds so powerfully.

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APENAS AGRADÁVEL

É uma história um tanto clichê, mas bem conduzida e dinâmica. As atuações foram muito boas, e gostei da sublimidade e sutileza ao abordar a provável homossexualidade de Ri Hyeong Sang. A forma como ele se sentia sufocado ao seguir o rígido padrão do regime norte-coreano foi bem transmitida, especialmente ao mostrar sua disposição em carregar esse fardo a qualquer custo. Na visão dele, Gyu Nam também deveria suportar esse peso.

Outro destaque foi a atuação de Hong Xa Bin, que interpretou o imaturo e inconsequente soldado Dong Hyeok. Para mim, o drama transmitiu claramente a mensagem de que a Coreia do Sul está aberta aos desertores do norte, com um viés político e humanitário intrínseco.

Já notei que em dramas sul-coreanos há uma tendência a estereotipar outras etnias e culturas, exagerando em alguns aspectos e, por vezes, cometendo equívocos. No filme, todos os norte-coreanos são retratados como extremamente pardos, com suor exagerado nos rostos.

No geral, é um bom filme, porém, não memorável.

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