Writer: Audrey Ker

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Watch this if you liked: “Tazza: The High Rollers”, “The Big Swindle”, “Daywatch”, “Nightwatch”

Spinning off some classic Korean epics, director Choi Dong-hoon brings forth two tales ("The Life of Jeon Woochi" and "The Life Of Hong Gil-dong") and mashes them together to make a fantasy action-comedy that is both eccentric and interesting.

In a time of evil goblins and Taoist Gods, our hero Woochi (androgynous Korean star Gang Dong-won) is a powerful and talented wizard not unlike Harry Potter's crew but instead of wands, they use talismans as their source of magic! Often branded as a scoundrel, Woochi is a Korean Dennis The Menace to palace officials due to his trickery and mischief. When a heinous crime is committed against his teacher, Woochi gets the blame and is subsequently sealed into an enchanted scroll painting. Fast forward five centuries later, all hell breaks loose as the goblins reappear in modern day Seoul, and they have no choice but to summon Woochi back to hunt them down. We all know where that leads to!

Seeing Woochi and his trusty sidekick, Chorangyi (Yoo Hae-jin) adjusting to city life is a hoot to watch, especially with the magic spells. Although the movie is mainly about Woochi, the scene-stealer is definitely Chorangyi, who not only has the best lines but also gets the most laughs with his funny antics!

This Korean box office hit is based on Korean folklore but one can't help but notice similarities with other films. Images from "Journey To The West" come to mind during a fight between the goblins and Woochi. You even feel like watching one of the new "Batman" movies when Woochi looks down from Seoul's high rise buildings! The editing seems to be too choppy though, as every scene is cut with so many angles. This lack of fluidity might even get you to think it has been censored!

All in all, "Woochi" is a curio with great special effects that hold its own against those we're used to from Hollywood. There's enough comedy and decent action scenes throughout, plus it finishes strong with a good ending!

Cinema Online, 25 March 2010