I, Executioner Review: Hwang Jung-Min, Jung Hae-In Go Serial Killer-Hunting In Satisfying Sequel To 2015’s Veteran
The first movie was better, fresher and literally easier to see because it was brightly lit with the drama focused on evil corporate crooks in evil corporate offices; the sequel, however, centres on a serial killer loose in shadowy streets and a dirty-dingy drug den, looks primarily hidden-dark.
I, The Executioner (NC16)
Starring Hwang Jung-Min, Jung Hae-In, Oh Dal-Su, Jang Yoon-Ju
Directed by Ryoo Seung-Wan
A ruthless vigilante in Korea metes out his own brand of capital punishment for murderers who escape the criminal justice system by executing them in merciless online livestreams.
To the captivated hero-worshipping public, the unidentified masked dude, Haechi, is a righteous avenger for the people. But to a tight group of cops in the Major Crimes Unit, he's as psychotic as the criminals he stalks.
Here's something strange. This pic is a sequel to a movie called Veteran released way back in 2015. Nine years ago. (FYI: Michael Mann is developing an English-language remake of Veteran.)
Verdict: That first flick was better, fresher and literally easier to see because it was brightly lit with the drama focused on evil corporate bastards in evil corporate offices. This one, on the hunt for a serial killer loose in shadowy streets and a dirty-dingy drug den, looks primarily hidden-dark. But it's also cosily entertaining for its likeable band of bros and one sis — female cop Bong (Jang Yoon-Jju) still comically flying-kicks baddies — and exciting Korean-style squabbling action.
Virtually everybody from the original film is back. All five affable cops fronted by Hwang Jung-Min (The Spy Gone North) as pitbull Detective Seo Do-Cheol. Plus his assertive wife, Ju-Yeon (Jin Kyung from The Boys), and even one villain whom they protect in a safe house here. This time, their young son is now a student bullied in school which humanises Do-Cheol in an inwardly-pained neglectful father way which Hwang particularly excels in portraying.
Okay, it's puzzling why it took so long for director/co-writer Ryoo Seung-wan (Escape From Mogadishu) to follow up. Compared to this show about the bull-headed detective, the other K-cop franchise, the Roundup series starring Don Lee as a human bulldozer, has already spawned three sequels.
It can't be an age thing. Since there's even more intense fight scenes in this instalment. In pouring rain on a rooftop, leaping parkour-style past the crowd in a pulsating outdoor chase sequence. And in the climatic whack fest inside a worksite tunnel, senior citizen Hwang, 54, slugs it out amid broken glass and metal pipes with younger babyface, Jung Hae-In (Love Next Door), playing a dubious officer, Park Sun-Woo, who clearly isn't all there since he's secretly Haechi himself.
He joins the unsuspecting team as much-welcomed new blood but we know he's really enemy-within iffy because occasionally, the dude smiles crazy-eyed like a madman when he subdues bad guys MMA-style as the “UFC Patrolman” captured on phone videos.
We can see this infiltration coming from a mile away. But, of course, Do-Cheol gets a stark realisation moment that's a tad too K-drama overcooked.
FYI, I'm not spoiling anything in outing the baddie because he actually unmasks himself early in the movie. Kids these days. Always rushing things, right?
Maybe the long delay in sequel-lising this gang was due to finding a nemesis worthy enough to challenge them. The first flick, involving the full squad in investigation, had an unhinged rich punk who's so cruel he even clubbed his own dog to death. Jung's Haechi makes it a more personal thing between him and Do-Cheol at the expense of the other team members who're reduced to being hangers-on here.
We don't really know the motivation of the serial killer. Except perhaps harbouring a nebulous ambition to expose his adversary as a like-minded V For Vendetta advocate who wishes he could take the law into his own hands too.
“You were rooting for him,” Park suggests to Do-Cheol about secretly supporting his alter-ego, Haechi.
Meanwhile, we, though, are openly rooting for this whole merry bunch to be featured just a little bit more. (3/5 stars)
Photo: Warner Bros Discovery