Break Out

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"How far would you go to recover a cigarette lighter?"
  • 2002
  • 1 hr 45 min
  • 6.3  (236)

Break Out is a 2002 Korean film based on a true story about three convicts who escape from a maximum-security prison. The film stars Seung-woo Kim, Seung-Won Cha, and Yeong-gyu Park. The movie is set in the 1990s, during the time when South Korean society was going through a lot of changes with democratization taking place in the country.

The film starts with Jang Se-jong (Seung-woo Kim), who is serving a life sentence in a high-security prison for a crime he didn't commit. He receives a letter from his younger brother Jang Jin (Seung-Won Cha), who is also a criminal serving time in a different prison. The letter contains a plan to escape from prison with the help of the third member of the group, Jae-pil (Yeong-gyu Park), who is a master locksmith.

As the trio hatches their plan to escape from prison, the movie intercuts with the story of how each of the characters landed in prison. We learn that Se-jong was a former soldier who was court-martialed for disobeying orders during an operation in North Korea. Jin, on the other hand, was a small-time thief who got caught after a robbery went wrong. Lastly, Jae-pil, the master locksmith who seems to be the key to the plan's success, is a reformed criminal who genuinely wants to help Se-jong.

Once the trio successfully escapes from prison, they go on the run from the authorities. The movie then turns into a cat-and-mouse game between the police and the escaped convicts. As they run from one hideout to another, tensions rise as Se-jong and Jin start to clash over their different personalities and goals. Se-jong wants to clear his name and find the person who framed him for the crime, while Jin is more interested in getting his hands on the money that they stole in their escape.

One of the standout aspects of the film is the performance of the lead actors. Seung-woo Kim portrays Se-jong as a stoic and determined man who refuses to be beaten down by the unjust system. Seung-Won Cha, on the other hand, brings a more unpredictable energy to Jin, who is constantly at odds with Se-jong. Yeong-gyu Park's portrayal of Jae-pil is also noteworthy, as he adds a sense of charisma and humor to the film that balances out the tense and dramatic moments.

The film's director, Kim Sang-jin, uses a frenetic pace and a lot of quick cuts to keep the tension high throughout the movie. The dynamic camerawork and editing make the audience feel like they're right in the middle of the action, running alongside the characters as they try to evade capture. Despite a few predictable plot twists, there are enough surprises to keep audiences engaged until the very end.

In conclusion, Break Out is a thrilling and entertaining film that showcases the talents of its lead actors. While it's not the most groundbreaking or original movie, it's an enjoyable experience that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats. It's a story of brotherhood, loyalty, and fighting for what you believe in, with an added layer of prison break excitement. If you're a fan of action or crime movies, Break Out is definitely worth checking out.

Break Out
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Description
  • Release Date
    2002
  • Runtime
    1 hr 45 min
  • Language
    Korean
  • IMDB Rating
    6.3  (236)
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