Phantom (2023)

Phantom (2023). 2h 13m | 16+

“Pure firecracker of a spectacle, lacquered in glistening big-screen gloss, augmenting old-fashioned locked-room/whodunit approach and spycraft with con temporarily savage, propulsive, female-centred action, and well-timed dashes of comic relief. As far as styled-to-the-hilt historical pulp goes, a tremendously satisfying time. Itu0026#39;s 1933 and Korea is occupied by Japan.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThey are in the process of inaugurating a Japanese Governor.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThere is a small organized Korean resistance group called the BLackout. Itu0026#39;s members are called ghosts.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eTheir aim is to kick Japan out and assassinate the new Governor.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThey have infiltrated the local government, the bravest of them being women.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAfter a failed assassination attempt, 5 members of the local government are taken to a remote castle to be interrogated by the Japanese.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThey are suspected of being ghosts.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAmong them is a vain Japanese police captain whose mother was Korean, making him a suspect.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eIt is in this castle that the carnage begins and eventually spreads.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eTwo dedicated Korean women prove to be invincible.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe cinematography is excellent as is the non-stop tempo and fight choreography.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe music was atmospheric and reflective of the time and the costume design was authentic.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eI found the acting ensemble of Lee Hanee, Park So-Dam, Sol Kyung-gu and Park Hae-soo to be excellent.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eFor Korean movie lovers this spy action thriller is an enjoyable ride that should not be missed.”