‘Hope’ review: A propulsive, dazzling thriller
· Scroll
Someone (or is it something?) is on the rampage in a village in the Korean Demilitarized Zone that bisects South and North Korea. An extremely intelligent creature has ripped up half of Hope Harbour and is all set to give the same treatment to whatever remains of it. A handful of brave humans get to work.
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The saviours are led by the police chief Bum-seok (Hwang Jung-min) and his cousin Sung-ki (Zo Ing-sun). Bum-seok almost single-handedly tracks the monster, while Sung-ki leads a hunting party that goes deep into a forest.
When Bum-seok finally meets the creature, memorably described as a very tall “mush of peas and beans”, he is all but killed until police officer Sung-ae (Jung Ho-yeon) makes a dazzling entry. Something in the monster’s reaction gives Bum-seok the first clue that Hope Harbour is up against an adversary beyond its understanding.
Hope, the first film in a decade from South Korean director Na Hong-jin (Chaser, The Wailing) is a breath-taking and breathless thriller. With brilliant action set pieces, which include some of the most furious chases in recent memory, an undercurrent of black humour and sharp performances, the 156-minute film rarely slackens.
Hope maintains momentum despite cheesy visual effects and a plot that veers into outlandish territory. Viewers...