11 reviews
Caper Flick, Korean-Style
Dong-goo (Lee Jehoon) is a thief, but an elite one: he robs tombs and monasteries of their treasures. The difficulty lies in finding buyers, many of whom feel they can just take the loot from him, although they learn differently quickly. After proving himself with one job, he's offered another - to raid a supposedly empty tomb that is scheduled to be "restored" and make off with its treasure - so he puts together a team including Dr. Jones (Woo-jin Jo) and Shoveler (Im Won-Hee), and soon the race is on....
This is a lively caper flick with a dozen twists and turns as one expects from caper flicks; think a Korean Ocean's 11 with a little Indiana Jones thrown in for good measure (there's a reason one of Dong-goo's team is called Dr. Jones)! Part comedy, part action and all side-switching and racing to beat the bad guys, the film also leaves the possibility of a "further adventures of" sequel, which I for one would go to see!
This is a lively caper flick with a dozen twists and turns as one expects from caper flicks; think a Korean Ocean's 11 with a little Indiana Jones thrown in for good measure (there's a reason one of Dong-goo's team is called Dr. Jones)! Part comedy, part action and all side-switching and racing to beat the bad guys, the film also leaves the possibility of a "further adventures of" sequel, which I for one would go to see!
SLEIGHT OF HAND
There are some funny parts, and some exciting parts. Overall, mood is playful and light. The real objective of the heist is revealed only towards the end with only the slightest hint earlier on. This took a lot of time and cunning for Kang Dong-goo to pull it off spectacularly. That the writer and director are able to achieve this sleight of hand on an unsuspecting audience is a tribute to the film's ingenuity.
- albertval-69560
- Dec 7, 2021
- Permalink
Average heist movie
An upbeat slightly comical movie about stealing a sword from a tomb. The direction is quite well paced. Lee je hoon is the right guy for this role. I was a bit confused towards the end.
- phd_travel
- Nov 20, 2021
- Permalink
Below average
The movies lacks the zing factor to make it interesting. The story is very predictable and boring. Korean cinema has produced many great movies. Sadly, this movie does not do justice to the greatness of Korean cinema.
Ignore this movie.
Ignore this movie.
- anarchronox
- Jan 11, 2021
- Permalink
Pretty funny heist movie
I was hesitating while picking this up as I have seen so many negative comments about it. But, of course, they are wrong about this or maybe have different point view. However, I enjoyed this. First, I thought, It's a typical heist movie, all about planning and focusing on execution of heist. Unlike heist movies here some fun elements which I like most. The most surprising thing about the movie is it turns out be a revenge movie.
Disappointing
I didn't expect this movie to be a masterpiece but at least i thought it would deliver what commercial korean movies usually deliver, enjoyable and fun moments you don't have to think a lot about it , it's the formula that worked 10 years ago with movies like The thieves /Tazza and other legendary pop corn movies with huge multicast, nice plot with many twists, some moments of laughter but unfortunately this movie failed to even reach that level of being entertaining with boring story line and predictable twists even the acting wasn't good enough and cheesy in a lot of times, it was really disappointing and waste of time except if you're a huge fan of the actors and can tolerate how bad the movie is.
superb and funny
Ignore bad comments-i watch around 3/korean movies a day-some over and over-as im disabled/housebound--and love these-action/comedy etc-if u dont like foreign movies-DONT WATCH--loads r being remade in uds thid yr snd next-another like this is-the con artists-another s/korean movie
Longer Screenplay and confusing characters
The film seems to have all aspects required for a treasure hut genre, however still it feels out of place for the most part. The characters are not defined very clearly and always seem to be out of place. A stronger antagonist would have been helpful for the film.
Aesthetically, the colours and cinematography look average for most of the parts except towards climax. All The actors try to elevate the film with their performances, however without a strong screenplay, it seems out of place. The story looses its pace back and forth and many characters are confusing without their clear explanation.
The sound score has no value and does not help the film at all. This can be a one time watch, however don't expect the same thrill as other treasure hunt movies.
Aesthetically, the colours and cinematography look average for most of the parts except towards climax. All The actors try to elevate the film with their performances, however without a strong screenplay, it seems out of place. The story looses its pace back and forth and many characters are confusing without their clear explanation.
The sound score has no value and does not help the film at all. This can be a one time watch, however don't expect the same thrill as other treasure hunt movies.
- saurabhshivalkar
- Mar 11, 2023
- Permalink
The director dug for gold, but came up emptyhanded....
Right, well the synopsis for this adventure comedy sounded interesting enough. However, I would have opted to watch the 2020 South Korean movie regardless of its synopsis, as I enjoy Asian cinema. And as I stumbled upon director Park Jung-Bae's 2020 movie here in 2022, of course I opted to watch it.
Now, I hadn't even ever heard about "Collectors" prior to sitting down to watch it. So I only knew whatever little about the movie that I had gotten from the synopsis. And I did like the movie's cover.
However, I must admit that this movie was a swing and a miss. And not everything that makes it out of the South Korean cinema is gold. Director Park Jung-Bae's 2020 movie just failed to entertain me, and it was a struggle to sit through the ordeal known as "Collectors", especially since nothing exciting or interesting happened.
The movie did, however, have a good cast ensemble, but it was just a downright shame that the actors and actresses had virtually nothing to work with in terms of a worthwhile storyline or interesting characters.
I have to admit that I gave up on the movie about 1 hour into the ordeal, but by then I was just bored senseless with the storyline and its flaccid characters that were devoid of personalities. And this this definitely not a movie that I will be returning to at any time down the line to finish watching, simply because I had absolutely no interest in the plot or characters.
As much as I enjoy South Korean cinema, then "Collectors" is not a movie that I would recommend you waste your time, money or effort on. It is slow paced, rather pointless and just takes forever to get nowhere.
My rating of "Collectors" lands on a generous three out of ten stars, and that is based on the production value mostly.
Now, I hadn't even ever heard about "Collectors" prior to sitting down to watch it. So I only knew whatever little about the movie that I had gotten from the synopsis. And I did like the movie's cover.
However, I must admit that this movie was a swing and a miss. And not everything that makes it out of the South Korean cinema is gold. Director Park Jung-Bae's 2020 movie just failed to entertain me, and it was a struggle to sit through the ordeal known as "Collectors", especially since nothing exciting or interesting happened.
The movie did, however, have a good cast ensemble, but it was just a downright shame that the actors and actresses had virtually nothing to work with in terms of a worthwhile storyline or interesting characters.
I have to admit that I gave up on the movie about 1 hour into the ordeal, but by then I was just bored senseless with the storyline and its flaccid characters that were devoid of personalities. And this this definitely not a movie that I will be returning to at any time down the line to finish watching, simply because I had absolutely no interest in the plot or characters.
As much as I enjoy South Korean cinema, then "Collectors" is not a movie that I would recommend you waste your time, money or effort on. It is slow paced, rather pointless and just takes forever to get nowhere.
My rating of "Collectors" lands on a generous three out of ten stars, and that is based on the production value mostly.
- paul_haakonsen
- Jul 29, 2022
- Permalink
it was really nice and pretty fun
A reviewer by anarchronox claimed to be horribly not fond with the movie since he has a hard time reading subtitles plus foreign movies dont suit his type. it least this movie is better than the unrealistic indian movies he has watched. please ignore his awfully written review and watch the movie! the cast acted amazing and did not disappoint.
Enjoyable heist flick
I thoroughly enjoyed this caper that reminded me of Ocean's Eleven with a side of Lupin the Third and just a hint of Indiana Jones. The final plot twist was a bit predictable, but the film still packed a few surprises towards the end.
- Tastentier
- Aug 13, 2021
- Permalink