The
Tiger (2015 aka The Tiger: An Old Hunter's Tale/Well Go
USA Blu-ray)
Picture:
B+ Sound: B Extras: D Film: B+
In
the early 20th century, the Japanese have taken over Korea, but the
real prize for them were the Tigers ...and hunting Tigers. Yet, The
General doesn't want just any tiger, but the One-eyed Giant
Tiger/King of the Mountain. While the Korean hunters know better
than to anger the King of the Mountain, they soon learn neither, them
nor the Imperial Army is a match for the King of the Mountain Tiger
...and they are the ones being hunted in Hoon-jung Park's The
Tiger (2015 aka The Tiger: An Old Hunter's Tale).
Man-Duk,
the wise old hunter is the only one who respects the mountain, to
never hunt or take more than he needs. However, the Japanese General
wants his prize and sends his entire army after the Tiger King when
hunters fail. Man-Duk is asked to help, but he was traumatized when
he accidentally killed his own wife during a hunt, long ago. His own
son is ashamed, his father's cowardice joins the hunters, but still
ends up dead. Unknown to all but Man-Duk, long ago he spared a Tiger
cub and is now the King of the Mountain. In the end, the final
showdown is just between him and the King of the Mountain with no
turning back.
This
was drama filled hunter's story. It is about respecting nature and
how man is NOT the King of Beasts and while there was a
relationship/understanding between the old hunter and the Tiger, it
also seems to say they could not escape their fate/nature. It is
their destiny to hunt/kill each other.
The
1080p 2.35 X 1 digital High Definition image has some fine shots
throughout and is well-lensed, while the DTS-HD Master Audio (MA) 5.1
lossless mix may not always be as impressive, it is still very
consistent and well recorded. Extras
include trailers, though one would hope for more, like an interview
with Park (New
World)
being a rising director of note.
-
Ricky Chiang
