Illang: The Wolf Brigade is the kind of movie that splits opinions (watch here). While it has qualities that leap to the eye, it is clear that there are problems that are very difficult to get around. Anyway, this feature that comes to Netflix after being acquired by the platform for worldwide distribution brings pertinent issues that can reverberate in the head of the viewer. If this, of course, is able to withstand production errors, which unfortunately are greater than its merits.
Indice
This film, in fact, is the adaptation of a Japanese manga called “Kerberos Panzer Cop”, that also got a movie adaptation in 1999 (“Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade”, an animation). The story leaves Japan and has its action transported to the border between the Koreas, just as they are working out the last details for their unification. A terrorist group called “The Sect” wants to ruin these plans and prevent the union between the two then antagonistic countries, so the local police needs to fight them and avoid a tragedy.
The biggest problem of Illang: The Wolf Brigade, however, is in all the rest. The direction seems to falter and not decide for an action movie or a political drama – in doubt, it tried both, obtaining results of bad to medium in both cases. Kim Jee Woon signs the film, but seems to have been limited to just that: the conscious and well-choreographed action, the hallmark of his cinema, appears only in flashes
Because of this, the flaws of the movie appear in a cascade. The acting do not work the way it should, as the director’s hand seems to weigh and the interpretations are at the edge of parody. The movie has characters who could gain a lot in depth if they had been worked with more subtlety. Still, they can maintain some interest until about half of the film, when the monochord tone ends up tiring who watches.
It is a pity that so much potential is wasted in a very beautiful production. Its meanings and relevance stands up as much as an empty bag.
Synopsis 1: They were meant to ensure public peace. But is there humanity left behind the mask – or are they wolves in human form?
Synopsis 2: In 2019, the elite police squad Illang combats a terrorist group opposing reunification of the two Koreas. But another enemy may be lurking nearby.
Age rating: 16;