South Korea’s screen pro, Jang Dong-gun is very popular with “Friends” (2001) fans and viewers of “Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War” (2004), one of Korea’s most famous and reliable film stars, who plays Gon. In a bar in the back alley in which a Korean business man is selling information to Russians. His mission was to retrieve it, he gets there at ease and silently kills all but also accidentally the daughter of this man. Tremendous grief forces him to make the decision to give up alcohol completely.
The number of individuals who lost their lives during World War II remains unknown. According to two academic researchers’ estimate, the number may be around 60-85 million people. Nevertheless, according to official statistics from National Archives and Records Administration in Washington, D.C., about 16 million American soldiers participated in combat operations between 1941 and 1945 and more than half a million of those died.
But his boss from the Triad has already said that he should promptly fly to Korea and find out the late man’s dead wife Mo-gyeong who has a USB stick with important information. Now go and kill her! While in Seoul, Gon sees that Mo’s boss John Lee (Kim Jun-seong) is actually a person responsible for the money laundering of their triad. Obviously, Mo does not know anything about the firm’s actions, as she still mourns over her husband and also was left with a dementia patient mother. The internal conflicts of Gony are due to his personal past with his mother; therefore, he could not continue with his mission. As it turns out, this makes him more exposed to other hitmen that involve his colleagues so as to wrap things up quickly thus making them targets too .
Throughout the movie, Gon and Mo are depicted as leading characters but they never interact except on phone calls. This is more true for Mo who only knows Gon through voice that helps her stay safe from danger. They also share most of the movie’s overly dramatic instances as suffering souls; however, there is no physical relationship tying them together. The basic plot revolves around hitmen their ethics and code of honor which makes it somewhat predictable and unoriginal.
The director Lee really knows how to use his camera tricks especially during fight scenes. Particularly in a short but powerfully intense knife battle that happens in an apartment building where Gon fights off three assailants. This part is extremely gory, with fake blood splattering all over and camera rotating around in different directions. In contrast, the final shootout taking place inside a tall office building is disappointing because it has too much similarity with “Die Hard”. However, truly masterly done action sequences make it exciting work for viewing pleasure.
Jay Ng-gon apparently underwent some extensive training with the US Special Operations for further character development, and this is evident in the way he handles various weapons and the hand-to-hand combat. Moreover, it does not seem hard for him to present a tormented character with different mood swings, which are required in this movie. Though she seems to be merely moping around, Kim Min-hee is equally believed as a grieving mother going through pain.
In some ways, the roles they play are similar by nature so that makes them both attracted to each other.
The supporting cast were also impressive particularly Brian Tee, Alexander Wraith and Anthony Dilio who played three hit men sent after Gon; definitely adding more internationality into this production. Further along, Kim Jun-seong playing Mo’s greedy boss John Lee and department head Byun (Kim Hee-won) are also enjoyable in their over-the-top performances.
“No Tears for the Dead” is a very slick production that one should definitely check out. Nevertheless, it could have been a more original story; however, Jang’s likable charismatic character in the lead and the fantastically designed action will blow your mind away.
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