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Wonderful character development!

Powerful

Great Film overall

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

Became violent revenge porn. Didn't finish watching. Until 45 min mark I thought it was going to be an interesting psychological study of isolation and coping with confinement.

I was casually scrolling the IMDB Top 250 and minding my own business when I stopped at Oldboy (2003) - a few moments later, I jumped on the movie, which, by mistake, turned out to be this American remake of the 2003 film (who could've known that Americans are going to make a remake exactly 10 years later??) - and I was not disappointed!Without seeing the original film (and not knowing any spoilers), I was entertained through the whole film. I imagine people seeing the original movie and knowing the amazing plot could leave bad reviews, but if you don't know what's going on, then this movie just works.Bottomline, beware if you have seen the original (2003), and if you haven't, expect a thrilling ride on this 2013 remake of the original.

Studio: All right, Spike. What do you got for us? Spike Lee: OK so let's do an Oldboy remake! Studio: OK that's great and doesn't sound like a complete waste of time! So tell us some of the changes you'll be making. Spike Lee: OK so let's make Oh Dae Su's name Joe! Studio: Sure! Why not?! Spike Lee: Let's also make Oh Dae Su in this version basically Superman where he feels no pain from every stab or punch. Studio: But wouldn't that take away the tension of every scene, making the action scenes look more like they came out of a video game rather than people actually fighting. Spike Lee: Hold on! Let me continue! Studio: OK. Spike Lee: Remember how Oh Dae Su was just a troubled man and more relatable before being kidnapped in the original? Studio: Mhm. Spike Lee: Let's make him an unlikable asshole! Studio: But why? Spike Lee: So we can "Americanize" the film and completely ignore the necessary South Korean culture of the original. Studio: K. Spike Lee: Remember that sex scene in the original Oldboy that was motivated? Studio: Yeah. Spike Lee: How about we don't do that? Studio: What do you mean? Spike Lee: Let's just do it completely unmotivated with these two characters who are "Oh Dae Su" and "Mi-do" that have absolutely no chemistry whatsoever or any hints at a romance at all! Studio: You're losing me, Spike. Spike Lee: Wait! I got one more thing! Studio: This better be good. Spike Lee: OK so remember the villain of the original Oldboy and how threatening he was since he was played by such a menacing actor. Studio: So you got Jake Gyllenhaal to play him! Spike Lee: No. Studio: Jared Leto? Spike Lee: No! Studio: Then who? Spike Lee: Sharlto Copley. Studio: That sounds awful, Spike. Spike Lee: But I made Do The Right Thing so this has to be good! Studio: That was 30 years ago, man. Get over it. Spike Lee: But it has Josh Brolin! Studio: *$$ eyes appear* GREENLIT!

You look at the cast - Samuel L Jackson, Josh Brolin and Sharlto Copley and say "wow, this film has to be at least decent because these guys would never sign onto a project that could be a total dud." This is an example of a one trick pony director (Spike Lee) who built a name around race-based films trying to actually do something other than his usual shtick and having his agents hook these names onto a project which they all probably regret.IMPORTANT: WATCH THE ORIGINAL FIRST. THEN START THIS FILM, WATCH 10 MINUTES AND THEN DECIDE IF YOU REALLY WANT TO TORTURE YOURSELF FOR THE ENTIRE RUNNING TIME.Mistake #1 - You've got to be pretty darn arrogant to think you're going to do at least a good job if not better of remaking one of the greatest original films made. Why would anyone even try remaking Casablanca? The Godfather? Bladerunner? They nailed it perfectly - writing, editing, acting, casting, etc. Chances are you're going to fail.Mistake #2 - Trying to change the story to put your own trademark on your film. I couldn't understand why Spike Lee would bother with his own additions other than to sit back and enjoy seeing the pleasure of his own work where the black man has the upper hand. It's awkward, poorly scripted into the story, poorly acted and blows valuable running time to further Lee's conceit.Mistake #3 - Changing the most important parts of the story to put your own trademark to create a twist which desperately needs chemistry to work but failing miserably to generate it at all. This is a twisted film. The original is done very, very well. I would advise anyone NOT to watch this film and to watch the original so as to enjoy the entire movie and the way the reveals play themselves out. This steaming pile is tossed together with characters that really don't have chemistry and is disturbingly contrived. You will not be able to thank me enough times for telling you NOT TO WATCH THIS FILM AND TO SEE THE ORIGINAL FIRST. You see so many people saying the same thing and there is GOOD REASON for it. Not only will you LOVE the first film's style and execution but you won't be able to sit through the first 15 minutes of this film without being between a laugh and a retch. You will then save 90 minutes of your life. The rating on this film is only in the 5.x grade because Spike Lee clearly had his marketing people stuff the ballot box.WATCH THE ORIGINAL FIRST