Prashast Singh Movie: New World (18)Rating: 1/5A great thing is that all the South Korean films I've watched turned out to be good. But the bad thing is that this film is the only one which isn't good. NEW WORLD, seeming to be extremely amazing from the promos, synopsis and IMDb rating, turns out to be a major downer despite of a great performance from the seasoned actor Choi Min-sik. The other lead characters simply overdo their parts. The film is supported by good music, visuals and a handful of action, but is let down by a poorly executed story and screenplay. The biggest problem with NEW WORLD is that it chooses the melodramatic way of telling a story which needed a faster pace and sharper execution. The first hour of the film is totally wasted in setting up characters which don't seem to be impressive. And they unfortunately turn out to be the lead characters. Despite of a lot of time being given in character development, one of the lead characters looks simply underdeveloped. The film, which I was expecting to be a solid one, turned out to be a disappointment because it didn't stay true to the genre it was expected to stay to. It's a crime drama, but as it progresses, it turns out to be a "crime melodrama" instead. Choi Min-sik is the saving grace of this film. And only he is. Hwang Jung-min disappoints. Lee Jung-jae doesn't show any other expression other than the one he sports. Park Sung-Woong was a total surprise package as he performed very well. But sadly, his character isn't well written and neither does he get a proper scope to perform. Others actors too are disappointing. The story and screenplay both seem to be poorly written and after a point of time, the film turns into a yawnfest. The film fails to evoke or convey any emotion. It's indeed hard to figure out what is being tried to convey with this film. The first hour being totally bland makes you lose interest even when the second hour seems to get a little back on track. But sadly, it never actually gets back on track. The moment you feel it's suddenly back on track, it just gets derailed with the next shot. In other words, the editing is another major negative point of the film as it's too slow paced to engage you. Many portions are overlong, especially the pre-climactic episode, and they generate no tension at all.But I mustn't forget to praise the cinematography, music and one well choreographed action scene. But these are the only things one will remember. For a full time watch, NEW WORLD doesn't seem to be a right film. South Korean films never disappointed me so getting disappointed with this one is something I didn't expect at all. Don't think I don't like drama films. I do like intense dramas apart from action and thriller films. But this film seems to be having almost no intensity at all.Still, I must say I have no "new word" for NEW WORLD to describe it as something more than bad. I am not saying that don't watch it. Watching it depends on you, and not watching too. Just note that the film lacks the kick of action films, the intelligence of crime films, emotion of drama films and the edge of the seat sharpness of thriller films. Instead, watch Lee Byung-hun's INSIDE MEN: an excellent film of the same genre which is both far longer and million times better than this "world" of 135 minutes.Repeat value: Definitely, A big no!

X Boy At time, 'New World' would seem just another movie. With elements borrowed from many past famous movies. But still it has that fresh taste thanks to that brilliant cinematography and editing. We have seen many movies with an undercover cop who wants to get out of the life (Infernal Affair & The Departed) and we have seen movies where left and right hands fight to reach to the throne. It is a mix of both of those types with addition of brutality and emotions.An undercover cop, who becomes part of the biggest mob family as his clan merges with others to form an organization. A decade has passed since he is in the job and now wants to get out. But his boss is constantly breaking his promise to pull him out and keeps on blackmailing him to stay put. Finally he embraces his fate and burns all the boats.On important part of movie is him relation with closest friend who protects him till the end and in fact is the one who advises him to choose for himself instead of being a pawn and living in shadows.The use of young boys as mobsters fighting with other mobsters of same age group is a new thing. Another visual treat is that all the men are dressed in formal suits. Very well acted, powerfully written a strong story of kind heart cop turned into cold blooded Don.

carbuff Very well done but very predictable Korean organized crime flick. Koreans do these kinds of movies better than anyone else currently. I thought the ending was obvious less than 30 minutes into the movie--the only question was how it was going to get there. It was quite slow to build and light on action, which may disappoint those looking for more typical high-voltage Asian crime stories. The two people I watched with would have preferred quite a bit more verbal and physical punch in the script. So, overall, a solid effort with a few scenes of harsh violence, but probably not the thrill ride that most viewers will be expecting from this genre.

Ramuna Korean movies has never ceased to surprise me. Every once in a while, I tend to find a gem beneath stones. What I like about Korean movies is the fact that they dare to take a different approach of a common theme that sometimes it looks like they just don't care much about box office, public ethic and conduct to indulge audience who are looking for something unique and different, least to say memorable! As in New World, at least that's what I feel about. I mean you can find tons of movies out there about gangster and undercover cop but never that I saw anything that end up so gloomy and cynical that it make other similar theme looks pretty like a fairy tale. The power of the climax lies within a mixed emotion created for the audience to feel for the characters or to cheer for what was expected.It was cliché, yes, and like every other movies if you look hard enough you're gonna find a little flaw here and there, but that really was not the issue to skip this piece of cinema. It may start slow and never bother to get any faster but it never failed to keep you on the seat, and like many other Korean movies with serious theme, it looks like the director never forgot to slide in some comical and situated humor to lighten up the mood. One thing that I might agree among anything else was the epilogue which seemed a little misplaced and out of essential, which in my opinion should be removed entirely from the movie to preserve its even darker intention.Finally, If you love Korean movies or movie of the similar genre, make sure you don't miss this. You wouldn't want to!