The Outlaws (2017): An Okayish Action Comedy Film

Director: Kang Yoon-Seong

Starring: Ma Dong-Seok, Yoon Kye-Sang, Cho Chae-Yun, Park Ji-Hwan, Jin Seon-Kyu, Choi Gwi-Hwa, Jo Jae-Yoon, Im Hyung-Joon

Producers: Yoo Yeong-Chae

Production House: Hong Film, B.A. Entertainment

Music Director: Mowg

Cinematography: Ju Sung-Lim

Editor: Kim Sun-Min

Genre: Action, Comedy

Language: Korean, Chinese

Runtime: 121 minutes

OTT Platform: Amazon Prime

Plot

Based on a real-life police investigation, The Outlaws delves into gang wars in Seoul’s Garibong District. The film follows detective Ma Seok-Do as he navigates the violent chaos brought by the ruthless Black Dragon gang, led by Jang Chen, who terrorizes the district.

Performances

Ma Dong-Seok: As Ma Seok-Do, he delivers a powerful performance, balancing brute force with moments of humor, making him a standout in the film.

Yoon Kye-Sang: His portrayal of the antagonist Jang Chen is chilling and intense, bringing a menacing presence to the screen.

Supporting Cast: The ensemble cast, including Cho Chae-Yun and Park Ji-Hwan, adds layers of humor and grit, enhancing the film’s overall appeal.

Technical Aspects

Direction: 

Kang Yoon-Seong successfully translates a real-life police investigation into an engaging action-comedy. The linear screenplay keeps the story straightforward, although it could benefit from a faster pace.

Cinematography: 

The visuals are satisfactory, capturing the film’s gritty atmosphere without being particularly striking.

Music: 

The soundtrack fails to elevate the tension or enhance the action scenes, coming across as rather ordinary.

Editing:

The editing supports the film’s flow, though a quicker pace could have improved the overall experience.

Strengths

Strong performances from both the antagonist and protagonist.

Effective use of comedy.

Realistic action scenes.

Weaknesses

Unremarkable music.

Linear and occasionally slow pacing.

My Personal Take on Cinema:

The Outlaws is a decent attempt to bring a real-life incident to the screen, blending action and comedy effectively. While the film could have benefited from a quicker pace and more thrilling moments, the performances, particularly by the antagonist, stand out. The situational comedy and solid acting by the lead are commendable, though the film’s slower pace and lackluster music hinder its potential. Overall, Outlaws is an okayish action-comedy film.

Rating: 2.75/5