This South Korean action thriller that reworks the plot of La Femme Nikita (with some new twists) opens with an amazing action sequence shot from the point of view of an unseen fighter who is wiping out armies of thugs with bullets, knives, and bare hands—ultimately revealed (without a visible editing cut) to be a fierce young woman—kicking the film off with high energy and impressive style. Sook-hee (Kim Ok-bin) is arrested and immediately taken in by a covert organization that trains her to become an assassin with the promise of freedom at the end of 10 years of service…if she survives. Sook-hee agrees for the sake of her unborn child, whom she raises in the top secret facility until she graduates with a cover identity and an apartment in the city. Sook-hee's story unfolds in flashbacks that reveal a tragic past, with a previous life as a criminal assassin, and a dead husband who turns out to be alive and out to kill her. Director Byung-gil Jung serves up some thrilling, elaborately-choreographed action scenes while weaving past and present stories together to reveal twists and betrayals. But despite the clever plotting and mix of action and melodrama, the film is more visually impressive than dramatically gripping and our heroine is very much a blank slate. Still, this is likely to appeal to fans of action cinema. A strong optional purchase. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include two “making-of” featurettes (4 min. total). Exclusive to the Blu-ray release is a bonus DVD copy of the film. Bottom line: a small extras package for a striking but somewhat thinly-drawn thriller.] (S. Axmaker)
The Villainess
Well Go USA, 124 min., in Korean w/English subtitles and English-dubbed, not rated, DVD: $24.99, Blu-ray/DVD Combo: $29.99 Volume 33, Issue 1
The Villainess
Star Ratings
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