After unexpectedly diving into the Korean cinematic universe over the weekend, I resurfaced with The Roundup: No Way Out, an action-packed crime film from 2023. This film, directed by Lee Sang-yong and starring searing talents like Ma Dong-seok, Lee Joon-hyuk, and Munetaka Aoki, offers a thrilling blend of action, humor, and a head-spinning storyline, marking the third installment in the popular Roundup series.
A Thrilling Plot Worth the Round
The film tells an intriguing saga of crime, corruption, and heroism. The narrative centers around Ma Seok-do (Ma Dong-seok), a Lieutenant of the Seoul Police Agency Metropolitan Investigation, and his team trying to navigate through a tangled web of Yakuza, Chinese triads, and their own dirty cops. Despite its familiarity with the previous stories, the narrative goes a bit deeper and, indeed, darker this time around, maintaining a steady rhythm of suspense, intrigue, and high-stake confrontations.
An Ensemble Ride or Die
What strikes most in The Roundup: No Way Out is definitely the star-studded cast delivered with riveting performances. Ma Dong-seok steals the scene as the one-punch-cop, adding a bizarre but nonetheless fun layer to his character. Lee Joon-hyuk excels in his role as the crooked cop, Joo Sung-cheol, while Munetaka Aoki leaves you on edge as Ricky, the formidable hitman. My personal favorite, however, has to go to Ko Kyu-pil who, as Cherry, inserts a much-needed layer of comedy into this otherwise gritty narrative.
A Symphony of Witticisms: The Mastery of Dialogue
Unquestionably, one aspect "The Roundup: No Way Out" rises above mediocrity is in its robust handling of dialogue—a skillful blend of audacious remarks, tongue-in-cheek sarcasm, and scatterings of witticism that elevates the movie from mere surface-level entertainment to an engaging exploration of its world.
Humour, an often underestimated element in crime action flicks, is wielded with force in "The Roundup: No Way Out". The film doesn’t confine itself to generating laughs through slapstick or simplistic buffoonery; instead, it incorporates humor within its storyline, dialogues, and character arcs. Moments of levity punctuating the high-octane sequences of the film humanize the characters, making them relatable while offering the audience much-needed comic relief.
Unraveling Emotions and Phantoms of the Yakuza
Beneath its high-octane action sequences and nerve-wracking suspense, The Roundup: No Way Out wrestles with weighty themes such as corruption, loyalty, and the dogged quest for justice. It daringly dives deeper into these darker aspects of the crime world, particularly with the introduction of a new class of wrongdoers—dirty cops, Japanese Yakuza, and Chinese triads—a feature that the first two films of the series merely brushed upon.
In contrast to the first movie, The Outlaws, The Roundup: No Way Out may not offer the same raw emotional resonance nor does it hold the unexpected charm and simplicity of the first plot. Where The Roundup presented a fascinating, yet straightforward narrative that made it unique, the third installation adopts a more complex and layered storyline that, while more intricate, risks hinting at an excessive plotline.
When put up against its immediate predecessor, The Roundup, however, the scales decidedly tip in favor of No Way Out. The movie navigates its way out of the sophomore slump experienced in The Roundup by returning to the essential themes that made the first movie a success: a strong, albeit absurdly capable protagonist, defining relationships that sway the plotline, a substantial amount of humor, and most importantly, credible antagonists. The portrayal of corruption from within the law enforcement agencies not only raises the stakes but also provides commentary on contemporary societal struggles.
Wrapping up this Round Up
In conclusion, "The Roundup: No Way Out" is a thoroughly entertaining romp of a movie. Its strength lies in its gripping storyline, brilliant performances, and a kinetic blend of action and humor. Although it might be a little less compelling than the first installation, the film is a strong contender in the crime-action genre and one I'd implore you to experience if you're seeking a cinema rush infused with a dash of humor.
The Roundup: No Way Out, with all its twists and turns, is not only a riveting crime-action flick but also a splendid expression of the Korean cinematic vision. Despite the high bar set by its first installation, the film manages to carve out a space for itself with its uniquely engaging narrative and stellar cast. While it may not shake up the genre drastically, it boasts elements that make it seem fresh and exciting and is certainly worth a watch for fans of the genre. And if you're anything like me and have a flair for punch-drunk humor, you'll be more than likely to tip your hat off to this one.
