2009: Lost Memories (Korean flick)...anybody have it?
 

Here's DDD's description of the film:

One of South Korea's top-grossing films, director Si-myung Lee's 2009: LOST MEMORIES blends sci-fi, action, politics, and history into a time-bending thriller which explores issues of national and cultural identity. Set in the year 2009, the film operates in an alternate reality where Japan retained control of its Korean colonies after World War II and the independent nation of Korea has never existed. Masayuki Sakamoto (Dong-Kun Jang) is a Korean police detective comfortably assimilated into this Japanese-occupied state until a routine investigation reawakens his nationalist pride. Assigned to probe a terrorist attack on a museum exhibit displaying historical artifacts, Sakamoto is soon drawn into an underground network of Korean freedom fighters who seek their nation's independence. As Sakamoto's sympathy for the rebel group urges him into action, the Korean grows increasingly at odds with his Japanese best friend and partner Shojiro Saigo (Toru Nakamura)--setting the stage for a tense and bloody showdown.

I've seen this film in previews on ADV discs. Looks kind of interesting. Similar to perhaps, So Close, The Returner, and Princess Blade.

Anybody have it, and is it any good?

Thanx

I saw it about 2 years ago and I didn't really like it. The action is ok but pretty uninspired. It also seems to go on for a long time. I remember I kept looking at the time to see how much time was left. If you have seen "Returner" and like it than you might not like "2009". Another Korean movie called "Yesterday" is even worse than "2009" but if you can get a hold of "Natural City" it is definitely the best one of all the Korean Sci-fi action movies. If you are in the mood for a good action film check out Nid de Guepes (The Nest). It is at least as good as the all the ones mentioned above.

I've seen it as well, and didn't enjoy it that much either. Korea has put out much better action fare.

Korean ventures into sci-fi fare haven't been very successful so far but I would say that 2009 Lost Memories is the best of the bunch. While So Close, which I liked, was pure popcorn/action/eye-candy, and Natural City, which was alright, was stunning visually but severy lacking storywise, 2009 has a lot more depth despite it's flaws. The prologue is based on an actual historical event and is well handled. The alternate future offers an interesting cultural clash between the Japanese and the Korean cop which strains their friendship. The "John Woo like" action scenes are also well choregraphed even though they at times stretch credibility. The main problem is the sci-fi element, specifically the "doorway thru time" aspect which seems to be thrown in there with little explanation or logic. So plot holes abound in that regard. The implications of restoring the original timeline were also completely ignored. Perhaps the film was too ambitious in trying to mix all those elements together but I still think it's worth a watch. And in my mind it's certainly a better film than the above mentionned and Returner. I'd also stay as far away as possible from Yesterday and Nid de Guepes which I thought were godawful even as a pure actionners.

The first action scene is fantastic. Crazy SWAT intense machine gunfire madness. The rest of the film is excessive melodrama and the action scenes turn into sub-John-Woo slow-mo cheese. But the first scene could justify a rental. Great production values and the actual premise is fairly interesting if you know a little about Korea & Japan.

Hmmm....OK.

How about Princess Blade?

You see, after seeing some flicks like Hero, Warriors of H & E, I'm kinda developing an interest for some Asian stuff. Can't wait till "House of Flying Daggers" hits DVD. Also like to pick up Musa Warriors.

House of Flying Daggers is really slow and not on par with Hero imo. Musa is great i have seen the 133 min but not the 158 min version but the 133 was fast paced and i personally loved it. Princess Blade was just ok not very good but not horrible either. And 2009 is just plain horrible. Koreans need to stop making sci-fi

As far as Princess Blade goes I enjoyed the action (choregraphed by Donny Yen) but not the story. IMO I think the 158 version of Musa is better than the Tai Seng international cut. And I still do not see how anyone could enjoy So Close.

Simple, hot chicks with guns. Not as good as Heroic Trio, but better than Twins Effect.

And I still do not see how anyone could enjoy Nid de Guêpes. :)

2009 Lost Memories ... good concept .. contrived ending. It seemed as if the director spent the entire 90% of the story building to something and then magyvered (forgive the spelling) the end of it without direction. I won't spoil it anymore than that. The one thing I can conclude is stay away from the ADV disk. Chapter 15, all center channel sound track info is now sent to the right front and rear and never corrects itself. I called them on it, they sent my a "corrected" DVD and .. well, it had the same problem. So, pick up any other regions than one if you need the fix.

I would definately recommend Musa, but not Princess Blade. The chick just annoys me. All style, not substance. Decent plot, but goes south throughout ... then again, it's just my opinion. At least Musa carries you to the end, which is questionable even still. Fun movie though. Princess Blade has it's moments, but gets predictable and silly. Give it a rental first.

I would tend to agree that in general, Korea should veer off from it's Sci Fi releases .. or at least be more careful with them ... but then again, at least they are trying. .. more than I can say for Hollywood these days. .. more recycled garbage. Different topic though. I've seen every film you have mentioned thus far and I would have to say that Natural City rules the roost. Visually, you are correct. The "severly lacking" story you mention .. I disagree with. The pacing was very good, the character developement was adequate, but the plot points are what I thought were unique with their own sort of spin, even tossing in a few twists in there to keep it interesting. It may have gotten a bit predictable after awhile even with it's somewhat cliched bits .. the scene where R and his chief carry out the showdown wit da villain for one. Regardless, it had entertainment value and was still interesting, at least more so than most other Korean Sci Fi offerings. I would definately recommend this title for it's more the philosophical strings it was making an attempt of pulling .. and more intelligently than most that I have scene from that region. Other than Hollywood, Japan is the only other competitor out there for this genre of film and Natural City is definately worth seeing in comparison.