Highly Overrated But Still Good

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

Good movie but grossly overrated

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

I just finished watching this movie, couple years late from the release, but the movie does not feel outdated, not even a bit. Early into the journey, it feels like you are watching Pan's Labyrinth.The Good Some of the casts are good, especially the girl, Eun Kyung (got her name from IMDb, I am not really familiar with Korean actors). The plot is good, even for a movie junkie like me, it is hard to tell the ending which will keep you going to the end.The Bad I said some of the casts are good, unfortunately some are not, especially the main cast whose expression at many scenes are blank. Some of the thrill parts are not thrilling enough and it can get a bit slow, but overall still watchable. Also, this movie can be much better and dramatic, if the siblings are only the sisters.Conclusion I have to say, this movie is really the Asian version of Pan's Labyrinth. Of course, like almost all Asian movies, the visual effect cannot match those of Hollywood. If you like Pan's Labyrinth, the you should watch this. Hope this info is not spoiler to you. Also, like Pan's Labyrinth, I think this is a fantasy movie, not a horror movie.

In this interesting contemporary Korean take on the Grimm Brothers' original, everything is turned upside down: a stranded motorist ends up at a cottage in the woods where three children prevent him from leaving.The story always keeps you guessing, the film looks good - given that it hovers in the horror/supernatural realm, it is brightly lit with saturated colours. Despite the fact that it is not loaded down with supernatural goings-on (the dramatic events are few and far between) it maintains a sense of genuine unease throughout.It bears a strong resemblance in some respects to the "It's A Good Life" sequence of The Twilight Zone movie from 1983, but has a distinctive oriental flavour of its own.Terrific performances all round, but especially from the children.

as far as American horror films go, this film is equally as good and possibly much better than the standard fare that is commonly offered American audiences. it is certainly more beautifully crafted than the typical American/Canadian horror stock film usually released every so often. in fact it's only problem is that it is often so beautiful to look at that you are a little distracted from the other elements in the film. but only somewhat.the story here is pretty eerie and gets emotionally intense. it also weaves in the traditional 'Hansel and Gretel' fairy tale into the storyline without being clichéd or using a obviously trite twist. the only thing that was obvious to me or that i could use for comparison was Rod Serling and 'The Twilight Zone' movie.although in subtitles (which i prefer), the acting is very emotional and on a strong feeling level and comes across the language barrier. especially the young actor who plays the lead role of the young man lost in the woods. the child who plays the complex and often sinister Man-Bok is also excellent and maybe even at times more impressive given the nuances of his character.as well as having some hauntingly beautiful photography and set design, this film also displays a outrageous sense of humorous design as in all the little robots and toys and animals in the house, drapes and wallpaper.the message here is surprisingly moving, but that doesn't make a lot of the movie any less chilling. this movie delivers thrills and chills but also manages to be substantial, worthwhile entertainment. that can't always be said for a lot of movies produced here in this country.

If you think you know what this is going to be like, you actually might be wrong. Especially if you think this is a true adaptation of the famous child story. It's not, it's completely different. This Korean movie might seem like a story that could be told to people and it's shooting style is amazing, but it moves very slow.The colorful movie has quite a few twists, while taking it's sweet time. We have great actors here, who play in this drama (well it's a bit of Horror too, but don't expect this to be a real Horror movie, you will be disappointed by that expectation) and a nice story. The main thing still remains the style it's shot, so Kudos to the Production design and the camera man, for making this world so vividly beautiful.