The casting for this movie was perfect. Kang Ha Neul and Park Seo Joon just work SO WELL together. As reluctant police academy students, they were the best of bros and I was 100% here for it. Ki Joon and Hee Yeol's brain-brawn dynamic made for a wild ride, and I can't think of anyone else that would have delivered like these two did. They played off of each other, and after hearing that they ad-libbed quite a bit during the movie I was sold -- that friendship did not seem like acting at all. The bromance was so strong in this.
Midnight Runners was a great example of what a buddy-cop movie should be (though if you want a super serious police procedural, this isn't it). It balanced Ki Joon and Hee Yeol's light, easygoing antics with the gross (and tbh, kind of scary) villains. Also, it was INFURIATING, and I do mean infuriating at one part. I mean, ignoring a very real, serious issue just because protocol had to be followed?? I was about to tear my hair out. It was so, so frustrating.
Midnight Runners' only issue is that the action doesn't really pick up until around the second half of the movie. The beginning is more of a buildup of Ki Joon and Hee Yeol's dynamic, which I'm not complaining about, but the actual conflict doesn't really begin until about an hour into the movie.
Overall, Midnight Runners was a solid film. It's not anything heavy, and I can definitely think of worse ways to spend 1hr 50min. Even if cop movies aren't really your thing, the bromance and the way the two leads build off of each other is worth watching.
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If you’re after an original and riveting crime plot, then Midnight Runners might not be your thing. In terms of the storyline, it’s pretty generic and you basically know exactly what’s going to happen from start to beginning. The strongpoint of this film was the chemistry between Park Seo Joon and Kang Ha Neul and how well this chemistry allowed for the perfect balance between great comedy and seriousness.
Whilst a light-hearted movie, it also delves slightly in the moral dilemmas that people who work in law enforcement face, there were definitely moments that made you feel helpless and sympathetic to the characters. However these conflicts were addressed well and once again, the humour within the movie does clean up and negative emotions you might feel whilst watching it.
This is definitely a pick-me-up movie, I can guarantee that after watching this most of you will walk away feeling happy inside.
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The big highlight of "Midnight Runners" is the cast; Park Seo Joon and Kang Ha Neul have fantastic chemistry and their scenes are effortless and overly fun. Their comedic timing, delivery and the way they acted out of each other's lines is incredible. History is not the most naive or complex, but functional. It's a simple story about two young police academy cadets who do not have a very strong reason or desire to become police officers and who unwittingly find themselves in a situation that requires them to demonstrate the moral fiber and courage that one would expect to find in a future police officer. It's simple, reliable and, most importantly, very fun.
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This is easily one of my favorite movies now, because two of my favorite people being friends, and their banter and the whole scenario, it was so much fun to watch! Kind of like the Korean version of Kick-ass! Two regular friends banding together to fight a much stronger evil force.
We all know Park Seo Joon and Kang Ha Neul are two of the most amazing actors and it shows in this movie where they both play the parts of guys who meet in the police academy and become friends when Park Ki Joon (Park Seo Joon) saves another trainee Kang Hee Yeol (Kang Ha Neul) when he gets hurt during a training session without thinking about getting a penalty.
Not only does this bond them but it shows a side of these two people who while still struggling with their own identity and the usual dilemmas people that young face, worrying about making the wrong career choice, money issues, not having a girlfriend, just basically being a young adult.
They go out one night to a bar to have fun and meet girls, but instead end up being caught up in a world of human trafficking when they witness a girl getting kidnapped and thrown into a van. They try to get the cops to help but realize that without the pressure of an adult, no one is going to listen to them especially because the girl in question is a runaway and doesn't have a family who would file an actual missing persons report.
Ki Joon (Seo Joon) gets angry and starts to lash out at the cop who refuses to take them seriously but Hee Yeol (Kang) manages to get him to calm down and they both decide to catch the criminals on their own because they learned in their training that the first seven hours are crucial in a female kidnapping case. After that time has passed, there's less chance of finding them and they don't want to waste any more time.
With no idea who the victim was they go back to the site of the kidnapping to look for clues.
After that ensues an interesting little plot about a young girl being sold to human traffickers and how two naive trainees go in search of her applying whatever knowledge they have of police work and even end up putting their own lives at risks, when they could have just as easily not bothered and stayed safe.
One of the things that I love about this movie is their characters. They're well thought out, well acted, such an amazing combo! When they go from total badasses to acting their real age you fall in love with their inexperienced innocence, and their naive charm. In a time where people are forgetting about family values and give very little importance to friends because we all think we can live in a bubble and survive, this movie shows two people who believe in each other and in the goodness of people. And they do it not by demanding everyone to be good to them but by SHOWING them how it's done.
An amazing, fresh new take that you have to check out!
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So funny!!!
I really liked this movie. It wasn't super complicated or thought provoking but what it lacked in substance it made up for with style. Park Seo Joon is a favorite of mine. The more I watch of him the more versatile his acting seems. Kang Ha Neul is new to me so I'll be looking for more of his works. The friendship between the main characters is what makes this movie awesome. The chemistry between them is on par with Gong Yoo and Lee Dong Wook in Goblin. The fist bump had me rolling. They hit on some very deep dark problems but didn't really explore them. But that wasn't really the point of the movie. I don't really remember any of the music so it wasn't really great or really bad. Truthfully, the osts in general rarely stick in my memory. It's a great movie for a good laugh and good fighting. I'll probably re watch it later when I need a laugh.Was this review helpful to you?
A movie to watch
Good movie to watch for action/comedy people. Not to mention that the story was a plus indeed. The two leads were superb. There was one part that was little rushed and unrealistic though, but the fundamental story line was extremely touching. The conflict between duty and order, how the two leads stood for their honest believe of duty, and how that paid off at the end, were aspects that made the story very appealing and refreshing. Keep watching after the final credits, one of the best scenes of the movie is at the last end.Was this review helpful to you?
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Friendship between Ki Joon-Hee Yeol was the most interesting thing to enjoy in this movie. Undoubtedly Ha Neul and Seo Joon were two best choices for playing their designated roles. As per the interviews of these gorgeous young men, they were presented in their most natural look without any make up and sometimes they ended up adlibbing to make their characters more profound. Both of them did tremendous job. Highly commendable. They complemented each other pretty well.
The main charm of the movie is though it focused on one of today’s gruesome crime but it would not totally engross the viewers into its hideousness since the story is actually moulded with light-hearted comedy and fantastic friendship. There were hilarious moments which would make one crack up insanely time to time. Mainly the determination, devotion, diligence and sincerity of youth to move forward with full honesty no matter what hurdles block their path or whatever calamities befall on them was amplified through Ki Joon-He Yeol characters.
Not a single moment of boredom felt. All in all a swashbuckling movie.
For me it’s a relishing one.
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Unexpectedly golden!
I watched this movie with low expectations because it looked funny. But about half way through I realized that this was an unexpectedly great movie!The 2 main characters are a humorous pair - unexpected best friends who have each other's backs, through serious and dumb situations. :D
I love how the 2 main characters weren't really sure what they wanted to do with their lives, but by the end of the movie, they found their passion through the events of the plot. The ending was perfect. Bittersweet, but perfect.
The action was so well choreographed and the soundtrack was good too!
The actors in this movie were all well suited for their roles - absolutely on complaints from me there either. XD
I 100% recommend this movie to people who enjoy action and/or investigation themed stories - it's fast paced, action-packed, and has a great moral to the story. An impeccably satisfying watch!
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This review may contain spoilers
Review of "Midnight Runners"
- Well to start lets just say that I enjoyed every fucking bit of this movie. Honest to god. You would think that since the storyline isn't that original and that since there are many cop movies/shows with the same concept that it would kind of fade into the crowd, but NO! That's not the case at all. Yes, the concept is the same but it had its own nice little orginalities and spunk to it. Like for example, the ear cleaning shop part, that was something completely new for me and I oh-so loved it.- The acting was lovely. That's really all I can say since it was so good. I mean both of the main actors are so in sync! The bromance there is absolutely real. Even the villiam characters were nicely done, especially that one crazy ass mofo.
- Finally, a soundtrack I could jam too! Usually the soundtrack just fades into the backgroup whether it's a OST or not but not in this movie!! During the montages and fight scenes I was tuned into the scenes but was bopping my head to the jams playing in the background!
- Overall, I can say that this was a good way to spend and hour and 50 mins and this is definitely I reccommend.
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Writer / director Kim Joo-Hwan did an excellent job at mixing comedy with a dark storyline. It could have been a total mess, but everything flows really well and all the aspects of the story fit perfectly together.
I also thought the fight scenes were really well choreographed, more realistic than those I've seen in other action dramas / movies.
I don't have too much to add, as I liked everything about this movie: it's an easy watch that will make you laugh and I highly recommend it!
Oh! Wait... One thing I could add: lots of Park Seo Joon shirtless scenes. That's it.
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