The Roundup

This time the presentation is far more refined and more smoothed around the edges! Almost all the issues that I have encountered on the previous occasion have been rectified except for a couple. We've got ourselves better fights, comparatively more space for the primary cast to breathe, and last but not least, a competent portraiture of an unrelieved and an unyielding antagonist, who will make you terrified.

But, hey you don't need to worry. Don Lee (Ma Dong-Seok) is here to save the day (yet again) with his overpowering charm and his heavenly fist, and boy oh boy! Doesn't he pack a punch!

The Outlaws was a sleeper that became an unexpected hit in 2017. It was an action comedy with a nice balance of both comedy and action that was based on a true story called the Heuksapa Incident that occurred in Seoul in 2007 between two rival gangs.

After the original production schedule was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we finally have the sequel called The Roundup although the Korean title is The Outlaws 2 which is what it should've been for the English title as well to avoid any confusion.

If you're a fan of Ma Dong Seok aka Don Lee, who is a former boxer turned actor, you will definitely like this movie. If you're familiar with his filmography, particularly his action movies, there's nothing new here to be found but he's one of those actors that is so likeable that he could churn out a movie like this every year and it would still entertain you. It's just a testament to the fact that he stated he made this movie for the fans and to de-stress anyone who have been struggling during the pandemic.

The Outlaws had interesting fleshed out characters in both the protagonists and villains who had just the right amount of screen time which probably also explained the longer run time than the sequel since it was based on a true story. Jang Chen, played by Yoon Kye Sang, was a great villain who at the end, got what he deserved.

In The Roundup with its shorter run time and based on a crime statistic (i.e. Korean tourists going missing in foreign countries every year) instead of a true story, the villains this time are not as interesting, and we don't get to learn much about them other than the fact that they just kidnap tourists for money. The villain named Kang Hae Sang, played by an unrecognizable Son Seok Koo and his first foray into the action genre, is just as vicious if not as interesting as Jang Chen.

In terms of the action, you will get exactly what you expect: clean but brutal fight scenes as well as thrilling chases just like the original.

The comedy is just as good and, in some ways, better than the original and the movie will certainly make you laugh.

Overall, if you like The Outlaws, you will definitely like this movie too but don't expect anything groundbreaking although some may like The Roundup even more than The Outlaws. And since it's been reported that a third installment is in the works, hopefully we will not have to wait as long for the sequel.

I would like to note that I've been up on Don Lee for a minute. Ever snice I saw Champion (quite literally a Korean adaption of Over the Top), and before he did the Eternals, which unfortunately, was not the movie to introduce the Train to Busan star to American audiences.

My man is going for a Slyvester Stallone style here. For me as an American it's very much a though back to 80s and 90s action movies, before the Kenau Reeves era. He's so tough, that he's got a bad ass guitar riff score he enters all his coolest scenes to.

The action is raw and brutal, like we kind of expect from a Korean film. These guys don't shy away from the violence. Plus, it's a good and gritty police drama at its core. I had so much fun seeing it in theatres man!

Plus, I discovered it's a Sequel to another movie! I got to see that now!!

After months of waiting got to see the sequel to my all time favorite action thriller, The Outlaws. Just like a million other reviews I have only good things to say about the Round Up and yes it thrilled me to bits. Unlike the first movie Deputy Ma has softened up and he is seen laughing and having fun. I liked the earlier version of Ma, he was damn serious and made everyone who watched him laugh..the Venom-Jang Isu compromise scene for example. The Round Up also has a flamboyant musical score, projecting Ma as 'the beast cop', very cliched. The Outlaws on the other hand had a subdued score which came alive ferociously only at the right time. The title scene and Ma and boys approaching the Venom thugs gave me goosebumps. MOWG..what a composer. In the Round Up the supporting cast gets a lot of screen time, Jang Isu, The rookies,Dong-gyun all gets to do some rollicking action.

Of course the icing on cake is Sukku Son, brutal and fits the role to the t. The final confrontation should go to some action hall of fame. Ju Seong-rims' camera and Kim Sun-mins' cuts are top notch.

With all due respect to Sang Yong Lee, kindly bring back Yoon Seon Kang as director and Mowg as composer for the franchise. Please..

Just as fun and involving as expected. Ma Dong-seok kicks ass once again!

In comparison to The Outlaws, this was an even better mix of action and humor. It upends the first film not only in quantity of well-choreographed fight scenes, but in extending them into bigger, more full-fledged set-pieces as well. Case in point: a terrific car chase that manages to maneuver into street brawling before getting back on the road chasing. Much as I find this film solid in terms of generally everything (acting, plot, production...), it's the action that kept me glued to the screen, and dammit, it delivered in spades.

If there's one thing I'd call a setback, it's the overall feel of inevitability in how it all pans out. In other words, nothing is really unexpected or original storywise. But that's something you learn to accept and swallow with many films if you're an avid watcher, let alone when it's regarding an action thriller with its goals primarily being that of adrenaline spiking. And laughing at some really well-delivered jokes.

In short, it's another bruising vehicle for Don Lee's persona, as well as a thrilling showcase for comedic action done right. Meaning you should watch it ASAP.