Tube
76
7
Story
7
Cast
8
Fun
9
Subs
7
Overall
Daniel Nguyen
October 19, 2003
Movie poster for Tube - Review | KFCC
Country South Korea
Genre Action
Year 2003
Running Time 118
Distributor KD Media
Director Baek Wun-Hak
Scene from the movie Tube - Review | KFCC
Scene from the movie Tube - Review | KFCC
Scene from the movie Tube - Review | KFCC
Scene from the movie Tube - Review | KFCC
Synopsis

Tube is a non-stop action spectacle about a police detective who attempts to stop an ex-government agent from blowing up the subway train along with its human cargo.

Scene from the movie Tube - Review | KFCC
Scene from the movie Tube - Review | KFCC
Scene from the movie Tube - Review | KFCC
Scene from the movie Tube - Review | KFCC
Review

Upon first inspection of the movie and plot itself, it sounds somewhat similar to other Hollywood blockbuster action movies such as “Speed,” and “The Rock.” Due to its heavy cliché ridden story and premise, one can’t help but be reminded of those movies. Even so, I still found myself enjoying Tube with all its action and cliche’s. It reminds me a lot of the same formula Jerry Bruckheim films follow. Nonstop action, romance, and toss in a little obstacle that is seemingly intangible to threaten the very future of the leads, and those around them, and you have “Armageddon.” In this case, we have the amalgam of different movies of the same genre and the result is “Tube.”

Character-wise, everyone follows their roles exactly they way they’re supposed to. By that, I mean that they act out their respective part just as any other character from the genre would. You’ve got your typical moody hero haunted by his past, the lead girl who will do anything for the man she loves, and of course, the ex-government agent turned bad vowing revenge and change in world order. Everyone is just very predictable. Kim Seok-Hun plays the cookie cutter detective who always has an unlit cigarette in his mouth. We find out later in the film just why he constantly has that thing there, and as you’d guess, it has something to do with a lost loved one from his past. Bae Doo-Na plays his new love interest, and is just weak in her role. Finally, we have Park Sang-Min who plays the film’s evil villain. Park simply emanates “bad-ass” in his role as an evil hateful twisted individual bent on destruction.

Action scenes are very nicely done and are impressive if you like what you saw in films like “The Rock” and “Bad Boys.” This movie’s action scenes are pretty much all about style. It’s realistic, yet flashy at the same time. Action scenes are done with some noteworthy camera angles to give them more of a dynamic and dramatic feel to them. Some of the shots and explosions are minimally CG enhanced to give it an even sleeker feel. No matter what though, the action scenes are just that…pure action! If I had to compare the action in the movie to another, I’d have to say that it mostly resembles another Korean action piece: “2009: Lost Memories,” minus the sci-fi element.

The movie’s journey to the big screen was a long and turbulent ride. After months of preparing to launch the movie in March, the Taegu arson attack that killed 198 passengers of a subway train occurred. Suffice to say, this put a definite halt on the release of the film. When it was finally released, the stars had to watch what they said, and try not to relate it the events of the movie to the Taegu arson attack. The film has already been able to sell distribution rights of the movie to Japan and other countries at the Cannes film festival for approximately $2.5 million. This then makes up for about 50% of the cost of producing the movie itself, so I think it’s safe to say that Tube was a successful movie despite some of its shortcomings.

Bottom line, if you’re an action fan and don’t mind your flick littered with cliché’s, you’re most likely to enjoy Tube. Though the film is somewhat heaviliy reliant on the cliché factor, the movie makes effective use of those formulas and moves along at a fast and furious pace. It’s typical “leave your brain at the door” material here, and I find myself recommending it, purely for the action and intensity.

Scene from the movie Tube - Review | KFCC
Scene from the movie Tube - Review | KFCC
76
Story
Cast
Entertainment
Subtitles
Overall
Daniel Nguyen October 19, 2003
Media Review
Media Review by
Daniel Nguyen
Distributor
KD Media
Media Format
DVD
Region
Region 3
Encoding
NTSC

KD Media offers a fairly decent DVD of Tube. Video is presented as a clear anamorphic 2.35:1 aspect ratio. Audio choices include a very active DTS 6.1 ES mix that accentuates the action and gunfire scenes, as well as a clear and powerful Dolby Digital 5.1 EX mix. English subtitles are provided and are very good and clear with no noticeable errors. Extras on Disc one include a commetar by the director, cast and producer, Music Video, Trailer, and TV spots. Disc Two’s special features include Deleted Scenes, Interviews, Production Design, Simulating Tube, and a Gallery consisting of Stills and artwork.