Today’s quick review: Illang: The Wolf Brigade. In the future, the reunification of North and South Korea sparks civil unrest, leading to the formation of a terrorist group known as the Sect. As a member of the Special Unit, a ruthless branch of the police, it is Lim’s (Gang Dong-won) duty to hunt down the Sect without mercy. But Lim courts danger when he becomes involved with Lee Yun-hee (Han Hyo-joo), the sister of a Sect member he watched die.
Illang: The Wolf Brigade is a Korean action thriller set in a tumultuous future. Illang follows the cat-and-mouse game between the Special Unit and Public Security, two rival law enforcement agencies vying for dominance in reunified Korea. Caught in the middle are Lim and Lee, two troubled individuals who are hiding their own secrets. Illang is a live-action remake of Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade that sacrifices subtlety for a greater sense of spectacle.
Illang: The Wolf Brigade takes a different tack from its predecessor. Where Jin-Roh was an introspective movie that focused on the mental state of its protagonist, Illang focuses more on external action. To its credit, Illang handles the shift well. The power struggle between the Special Unit and Public Security takes center stage, and there are enough twists to keep the viewer engaged. The action scenes are another strong point, with crisp stunt work.
Illang: The Wolf Brigade will appeal to fans of the serious side of the action genre. The movie does not do anything groundbreaking, but the combination of an intricate plot and solid action sequences makes it a worthwhile pick for the right viewer. Even so, Illang does not have the artistry or nuance that made the original Jin-Roh special. Casual viewers should give it a shot, but fans of the original may be disappointed.
For a focused, artistic take on the same material, try Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade. For another police thriller with a winding plot, try The Departed or Infernal Affairs. For an even more action-oriented film about a skilled cop facing long odds, try The Raid: Redemption. For one with bloodier violence and an overtly sci-fi setting, try Dredd.
6.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for an interesting plot and solid action.