Stylish but barely mediocre overall

Really Surprised!

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

I had thought the Korean studios had turned the corner a year or so ago and started to produce intelligent action crime/thriller films, but this title is a throwback to the old days. Robotic and stereotyped acting (and appearance) for everyone from criminals, to hookers, to cops; to storyline; it's like they were uncreatively formed from a mold of typecast characters of previous similar films. Disgraced former baseball pitcher, Hwan, accused of throwing games for money turns into an enforcer for organized crime including, of course, sports betting as well as the other standard crime-of-the-day activities. Hwan, despite being skinny and probably having spent most of his young life playing baseball suddenly acquires the skills to turn into a martial arts beast taking multiple baddies down (most much bigger, with knives, and practiced at their art) - in other words incredulity follows Hwan for the remainder of the film. He does have a badass stare down though. The film is basically knife stabbing and martial arts' throw downs (e.g through windows, tables, the usual). Suggestion: If looking for crime/action film that puts films like this to shame I suggest checking out the "Justified" series. LIke comparing junk food to the highest Michelin rated restaurant, "exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey".

A promising baseball player ends up becoming a part of the local gambling mafia. The movie is very entertaining and really good made. What I liked most were the fights with the knives, no one in this movie fights using a gun, which has become a kind of "must" in all action movies and that's what gave the movie a note apart. Nice plot twists, not very predictable make it really enjoyable. The actors were not bad, too bad I cannot understand the South Korean language to make a difference with the American and European movies, but it sounded quite nice not very theatrical, like some bad movies sound. If you have time and are looking for a good action movie different from everything else this is the one. Enjoy!