Check out my updated review here! http://thevagrantrises.blogspot.com/2017/03/updated-review-16-hansel-and-gretel.html
Disclaimer: Contains spoilers!
Plot Summary: After narrowly surviving a car accident, a man finds himself in a dark forest upon which he is led to a house where not all is as it seems.
Review: Let me begin by prefacing that this is not a conventional horror movie by any means. It's really more of a fantasy with light horror elements so be well aware of this fact early on or you may be disappointed. However, you could end up like me and be pleasantly surprised, and even a little blown away, by this retelling of a timeless classic that transforms into a dark fairy tale in its own right. Although, I should say there appears to be an inspiration from the famous "It's a Good Life" episode of "The Twilight Zone," but it's more of an influence than a copy. There were a few mistakes made along the way that I realize are what held this film back and why it isn't as famous as, say, "A Tale of Two Sisters." Although, personally, I feel this might be the best Korean film I've watched. Let's start with the problems, because I want to focus more on the positive and why this film is great. As I stated, the film is mislabeled as a horror movie. In fairness, the genre of this film is difficult to define because it's based on what is typically viewed as a children's story combined with the fact that it is more focused on the fantasy and, almost, dreamlike elements. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but, because the themes are so adult, it isn't reaching whatever the target audience would typically be. Another thing that I noticed, especially considering how quickly you realize the direction the plot is going in, is this film is longer than it needs to be. At almost two hours, this could have been cut down to 90 minutes and still would have been great; the themes become redundant as the same points are brought up over and over again. Finally, we aren't given a good enough explanation for why everything has transpired or how the kids can do what they can do. I'm not even joking, but it would seem Santa Claus may be a legitimate explanation! Sorry, as much as I adore this film, that is not acceptable for me. I wanted the kids to be something abstract, like living representations of the story's characters willed into existence through the sadness of children around the world, while tragically never able to have or be what they want. Maybe I'll have to get working on the sequel! There are other small gripes, like I wanted a more moving soundtrack, but most of these are just technical issues that I don't think anyone else would notice or even care about. Overall, the flaws are minor and do not come close to deterring from the story or the film as a whole.
Onwards to why this film is so awesome. The story is creative, imaginative, and even clever with a nice role reversal that you can kind of predict but it's slight. First, we quickly meet our main character, Eun-soo, played well by Jung-myung Chun, who is a regular guy heading to his sick mom while dealing with drama with his pregnant girlfriend. I suppose there is a contrast between him possibly not ready for kids and learning to appreciate them by the end of the film. He somehow crashes his car which is a bit of a stretch, but I understand they needed this plot device to get the show on the road. Almost immediately, you become immersed in the whimsical atmosphere as Eun-soo is suddenly in an impossibly dark forest. I should note the set designs are amazing with such subtle nuances to truly immerse you in this realm. Eun-soo sees a lone light emanating from a lantern belonging to a young girl named Young-hee, played flawlessly by Eun-kyung Shim. There is such captivating imagery as Young-hee and Eun-soo first meet; it simply glows with this dreamy sense to the setting as if the shots are pictures right out of a storybook. Also, Ms. Shim is simply amazing! Her look, presence, and ability to bring her character to life easily outshines anyone else in the film. She invokes a strong emotional bond to the audience, as do all the kids, but there is a reason Eun-soo connects most with her and so did I. The other two kids were both remarkable actors as well: the boy, Man-bok, and the younger girl, Jung-soon. Even with the subtitles, I could feel their emotions, longing, pain, and moments of happiness. All the actors were very good in this film, but the kids were noticeably better. Anyway, Eun-soo is taken to their home which is meant to be reminiscent of iconic fairy tale homes although this one is not made of candy. Eun-soo sees that the house is full of endless toys and all the food is desserts all the while the parents are on edge. Big shock, they aren't the parents and the Hansel and Gretel story takes a reversal as adults are lured into the home and the kids are more like the witch. No matter how much you try to escape, you become lost in the darkened forest, and, even if it's daylight, if you go too far out it will turn to night (an awesome concept!). As we see other adults die and disappear, new ones take their place alarming Eun-soo as to what his fate may be. The kids aren't evil knowingly as they are simply acting like kids but somehow gifted with the power to have their every desire come true. They keep hoping someone will come and be their parents permanently, but they have become jaded to the way adults try to control, manipulate, and abuse them. In all honesty, I probably would have tried to or succeeded in killing the kids, but that's just me! As time passes, Eun-soo grows closer to the kids even understanding the things they do because he empathizes with how sad, alone, abandoned, and unloved they feel. Right from the beginning, Eun-soo had made a connection with Young-hee, but this is expressed best when he tells the kids a story indirectly explaining to them his predicament; however, only Young-hee realizes that their happiness is costing Eun-soo his. Eventually, the most recent adult to find his way to the house is some religious zealot who has his own nefarious plans for the kids. Eun-soo learns that the kids were born in the late '50s and early '60s and were raised at an orphanage where they were raped, neglected, abused, starved, and tortured by some guy. With it being Christmas time, they wish for things to be better until they are visited by Santa Claus (that I mentioned) who gives them the Hansel and Gretel book. Inspired by the book and newfound psychic or magic powers (it's not entirely clear) they kill their abuser, who runs the orphanage, and throw him into an oven much like the fairy tale. This same process becomes recreated as the zealot tries to kill Jung-soon but he is instead killed. Fully understanding the children, Eun-soo tries to plead to them that they should go back to the real world and let go of this false sense of happiness. Man-bok refuses to relent and that Eun-soo is meant to be the hero of their story and be with them forever. The kids stress that everyone hates them and thinks they're evil, but they just want someone to love and be with them. Eun-soo resolves that he cannot escape and weeps while calling out his girlfriend's name. Seeing the pain they are causing, Young-hee, tells Eun-soo the only way to escape is to burn the drawings they've made of him that bind him to their world. Eun-soo does this and finds himself returned to the scene of his car accident where the police are cleaning up. He is unsure if it was all a dream and continues on with his life having his child and becoming a good father. The film ends a Christmas or two later with the children leaving Eun-soo a drawing under his Christmas tree of just the children happy. This could imply multiple notions like that the kids are finally happy, or happy for Eun-soo, or that they miss him or whatever. But damn it, I just want a regular happy ending! Why can't the kids just come and live with Eun-soo? We know they want to and they obviously touched each other's lives considering how teary-eyed everyone keeps getting! Ugh, it's those longing stares! If you've read enough of my reviews you will notice I'm easily moved by the concept of longing stares. Small confession, when I'm watching characters long desperately for someone or something, the music during the final scene of the 2004 "Phantom of the Opera" plays in my head. That music just sets the tone better for me. When I become invested like this, I feel like the story still needs to keep going until everything is resolved. It doesn't have to be wrapped up in a nice bow, but I need closure! Okay, I'm losing my mind. The acting is top rate, the story is creative with many original concepts, the effects and imagery create a perfect backdrop, the attention to detail and subtle references enhances the storybook vibe, and the movie fully engages you in every respect. This is most certainly an overlooked gem that needs much more attention. I strongly recommend watching this one if you're a fan of Asian cinema, like fantasy films, or just love great stories as I do.
Notable Moment: When Young-hee first appears before Eun-soo after the accident. There is something so whimsical about her and the situation. The close-up of her face was clearly meant to resonate with the audience as if she were some fairy or guardian angel. It is such a powerful shot--no wonder they used it for the movie poster.
Final Rating: 8/10
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