A-i-deul... (2011) Reviews

• Great movie with incredible directing and acting!

  wlaas2011-07-05

  The movie tells the story of what happened early 1990's in Korea, as 5 elementary school students never returned from their walk to a nearby mountain. Based on true events and dedicated to the family who lost their children, this movie definitely succeeds at its goal. To make people be a witness of what happened 20 years ago and to be part of what emotional horror the family and everyone involved went through and still have to go through. You will stay focused from the start to the end thanks to great directing and acting. Just when you think the movie will wrap up, it will make a sudden twist and turn everything upside down. Korea once again shows how to make a great movie that is based on true events. Although this movie feels a lot like Memories of Murder (that also is based on true events in Korea), it is yet totally different and not as perfect, but still a great watch. A must watch for anyone who enjoys a great crime movie. My score: 9/10

• another great korean thriller

  quaseprovisorio2013-01-23

  This is a true story about the murder of five children in Daegu region, South Korea. The evolution of the case throughout the movie is what you could expect of korean cinema: the solving of the murder is hugely important, but what matters the most are the characters that surround the case. their families, a TV producer, a cop and a psychology professor(i assume). Obviously they are well developed, they show truthful and devastating emotions, they change their own behaviors and actions during the film. Koreans know very well how to built intense atmospheres, and how to drive their characters inside them. They have density, they sound like real people, we can relate to them very easily. We can almost feel their grief, we can understand how an ambitious producer fallen from grace start as a selfish guy who just wants a good story, evolves into a guy who almost take this personal. We can see truth in the professor's theories, we can cope with the (sometimes questionable) efforts of the families, in order to oblige the police looking for their children. This is a well built movie, which is not a huge breath of fresh air in korean cinema, but it's one of those films who prove that south Korea has one of the best cinemas in the world. you really should check this one out.

• Must see: poignant and thrilling crime investigation movie

  franck-bronte2011-08-07

  I have seen a lot of crime movies. This one with The Chaser and Memories of Murder is the best ever made. Novelty in this suspenseful movie is the treatment of the relations with the media. It's a good idea from director to introduce some questions of ethics. What a pleasure to be drawn into a story by such intelligent writing and outstanding acting. The story is told with impressive direction, plenty of details and realism to hook in most people. There's a real sense of place and time. Can the movie be as beautiful, but at the same time be ugly. Like any dark mystery, the film simply raises questions, and gets the viewer to care about what happened to the kids. Characters of parents, TV producer, professor, children, detectives, wives and many others, each and every one is so well casted it's hard to find anything to criticize. The biggest pro for this feature is that they keep all the characters human by giving them a soft side. Nobody is either extremely good or bad, they just are humans making stupid choices and having to pay the price for it. You have to see it to believe how perfect it is.

• A thriller with integrity and soul- Amazing exploration of Crime

  ajit21062012-06-25

  I am a big admirer of Korean cinema. It has its distinct style of screenplay, characterization, storytelling and a definitive panache of humor. Movies like Memories of Murder, The Chaser, Mother, Voice of Murderer and Oldboy etc. There are several movies which has the cinematic tenets at its best. Based on the true events, 'Children' depicts a case of 5 missing children in 1991. There begins a series investigations to search the children through many clues and clicks. The revelations are well timed and keep you at the edge of your seat. The screenplay is water-tight which never loses the focus. Characterization is the key feature and it allows the viewers to connect with the characters, every character is so believable that you will feel their agony. The story has many folds and all the serendipitous discoveries are top notch. The direction is perfect, it explores every occurrence immaculately. The desperation of media and incompetency of the police are portrayed flawlessly. Acting is at its peak, every actor has played the part with utmost honesty and tangibility. The emotions, distress and panic of the characters are just believable. A thriller like this is a benchmark for this genre. Recommended

• Emotional/Best Acting/Best Directing/Best Cinematographic

  yrmishu2015-08-19

  What a movie! What an environment! Acting of every, even the small and limited characters act like lively. It seems I am seeing the real story not the movie. Direction, back-ground score, cinematography are excellent. Yet I am sorry about them whoever are the real victims and their families. Five children, age 8 to 12 like that, disappeared, at once, together. Story 1991, South Korea. I have seen this kind of movie, Memories of Murders, which is almost similar. Memories of Murders is one of my favorites. Children... 2001 is also now my favorites one. This movie will grip you till the last moment. You feel the same as the victims' families. You feel the same as the detectives, as the other people of the movie.