A Brief Comparison

Oldboy's memorable track shot is re-envisioned for Spike Lee's 2013 remake, a visual comparison between their scenes can be viewed on youtube.

Lee’s is more dynamic, but the scene doesn’t carry the emotional impact of the original. In the original, the protagonist struggles. This is communicated through his slow progress to the right, his acting, and the music. Lee’s hero is annoyed, at best. There is no point where his opponents have a real advantage. There is no threat. Their numbers mean nothing when the audience is shown how easily they’re cut down.

Which brings me to this point: what is with those fight moves? Like really? I was able to accept Park's choreography because the tracking shot is identical to a side-scrolling fighter and the moves have the a similar discontent, but Lee is trying to sell a straight up action sequence and the choreography doesn’t cut it. Ball hard or don’t bother.

10/10