Father Geek again... this time I've got a review from Seoul, Korea... the country whose films are as hot as molten steel dripping from the lips of a crucible ... man I love the product coming out of this film industry right now...
Got a chance to check out Korea's new animated opus "Wonderful days" today.
It's been a long time time in coming, seven years to be exact. Was it worth
the wait? Well, let's take a gander.
First off, the story. In the blasted wasteland that has become Earth's future, there stands the last human city of Ecoban. Not your normal city by any stretch, even in a sci-fi saga. The city has the ability to build and improve itself using pollution as an energy source. It's citizens, the Ecobans, are an elitist and all around up tight bunch who exploit the Marrimans, the lower humans on the social register, in producing the much needed pollution needed in order for the city to continue and grow. Of course, this has done wonders for the environment. Actually, the sun and blue skies haven't been seen in years. It's a depressing scene of cloud, rain and metal.
Enter characters. First, Shua. He is an exiled Ecoban (framed for murder) now living among the Marriman in the wastelands, who dreams of one day seeing the clear blue sky again. Actually, it's more of an obsession. It's all he thinks about as he devises and carries out plans to enter Ecoban and throw the proverbial monkey wrench into the works. Shut down the power, here comes the sun.
Next, Jay. She's the cutie Ecoban with a concience. Jay and Shua were friends in their preteen days, but were separated after Shua was framed for murder and apparently killed. She has always loved him, even though she thought he was dead. As an adult, she works for Ecoban security - protecting the city and it's pollution. Little strange, eh?
Finally, there's Simon. He's the slimy, backstabbing, head of security, also in love with Jay, former pal of Shua, actual murderer, pollution loving, and all around prick Ecoban. Whew. That pretty much sums him up. Sounds pretty bad, huh? Maybe there's a little redemption in there somewhere. I'm not saying.
There are bunch of other characters, but I don't see any real need to delve into them right now. Let's get to the real meat instead. How does this baby hold up.
Story wise. Pretty good. I loved the idea of a pollution eating, self sustaining city. Originality points there. The good guys and bad guys are laid out pretty clearly - the scraggly Marriman in the wasteland, and the smug, wealthy Ecobans in the living city - Who you gonna root for? However, as fascinating as that all is, Shua's quest to once more see the blue sky is what held me the most and keeps the story chugging along. That, and his reunion with Jay, who he has also never stopped loving. These are well drawn out characters who I actually had feelings for, and rooted for. Wait till you see Jay's goo-goo eyes. You'll melt.
Simon was a bit weak. He was your stereotypical, corner of the love triangle, I know everything that'll happen to you in this movie, too evil to be true, prick.....who maybe get's some redemption in the end. I'm not saying.
The animation. Let's see. A lot of Holy S**t that's cool, some nice, a few so-sos, and a couple of "I hate those animated big-little mouths on animated asian characters". The movie uses a combination of traditional and cgi animation, mixed with real models and and other real elements (ex-rain). Kudos, boys. A bang up job. Wonderful Days bombarded me with a host of beautiful imges and scenes I won't be soon forgetting. From our first look at Ecoban, to Shua's flight in his glider, the internal workings of the city, the floating blood (you'll know what I mean), the ship in the desert, the gunfights All perfection. Loved them. This ain't Disney boys and girls. Like Blade Runner before it, this movie showed me new worlds which, scarily enough, may not be too far away. Beautiful and terrifying.
There is one use of animation I want to point to in particular. It has to do with the motorbikes driven by Jay and the other security forces. Fan-frigging-tastic. I loved any scene with those bikes. The animation was amazing. At the beginning of the movie, there is a scene where Jay is driving across the wasteland, towards Ecoban. That journey - Jay, alone, in her motorbike, the sky, the desolation, the animation, the music - damn fine piece of work. My favorite moment in the film. All the motorbike scenes were nailed. The water flicking off the wheels. Beautiful.
Moon S. Kim has put together a fine piece of film here. It ain't perfect, but it sure as hell delivers the goods. The animation was great, though at times a little uneven - for example we'd go from one awe inspiring slack jaw scene directly to something that looks like it belongs on Fox Kids. The characters were well done, if somewhat typical, especially with regards to the villains of the piece. Wait till you see the leader of Ecoban, named the Adjutant. If he ain't the Emperor to Simon's Darth Vader, well I'll eat my mouse. Keep that Star Wars analogy in mind as you watch the film. You'll understand.
The story between the characters is what keeps this puppy barking, as well it should. You'll love Shua and Jay, and you'll hate Simon. Maybe not for the whole movie. There might be some redemption there. I'm not saying.
Bottom line. See this movie. It's well worth the bucks and deserves to be seen on the big screen. The Korean film industry is once again showing us that it is well on it's way to becoming a force to be reckoned with. Let's hope it just keeps getting better.
P.S. - Getting off topic here, but have some other news you might be interested in. Xiang Xiyi (Rush Hour 2, Crouching Tiger) was in Seoul recently to film a cameo scene for the upcoming sequel "My Wife is a Gangster 2". Apparently, she's a big fan of the original Korean hit and is also here to discuss the possibility of producing and/or starring in part 3. What a Cutie. My heart flutters.
Bye bye for now guys,
Call me Kangshi!
