How to Kill a Franchise Before It Even Starts
The new monster movie Hope can’t live up to its own epic aspirations.
TL;DR
- *Hope* is the most expensive Korean movie ever made, directed by Na Hong-jin, his first film in over 10 years.
- The film's plot centers on an alien invasion near Korea's Demilitarized Zone.
- The first hour is described as a robust monster thriller, mixing action, horror, and comedy.
- Influences mentioned include *Tremors*, *Eight Legged Freaks*, *Crawl*, and Bong Joon-ho's *The Host*.
- The film's budget is nearly $75 million, considered considerable for South Korean cinema.
- The reviewer criticizes the reliance on CGI for the creatures, stating the digital imagery struggles to keep up.
- The invaders are described as bipedal, based on motion-capture performances by Hollywood stars.
- Despite its length, the film explains little about the aliens' origins or plans, leaving audiences wanting more exposition.