They story is not anything new, but I loved the way the executed this movie, and it really stands out. You get sucked in the first seconds you watch this movie. There is NEVER a dull moment! So in the 2 hours you'll be guessing, sitting on the tip of your chair and you might encourage some characters.
The acting was amazing, the fact that they could suck me in from the first till the last seconds is very good! I thought everyone precisely fitted their character.
The music helps a lot to build up some tension, and I recommend this movie to anyone who likes action, a good story, suspense and tension!
Was this review helpful to you?
For this solid work is responsible pair of directors, debuting Kim Byung-Seo and more experienced Choi Ui-Seok (he also wrote script for the movie and previously directed two movies, Make it Big (2002) and The World of Silence (2006)). Starring beautiful Han Hyo-Joo (Always (2011), Masquerade (2012), Love 911 (2012)), accompanied by an experienced Sol Kyung-Gu (Public Enemy (2002), Silmido (2003), Tidal Wave (2009), Troubleshooter (2010), The Tower (2012)), while their opponent is portrayed by Jang Woo-Sung (Musa the Warrior (2001), Mutt Boy (2003), A Moment to Remember (2004), The Good, The Bad, The Weird (2008)) in on of his few roles as an antagonist. The entire cast has done an excellent job and characters portrayed by them seemed very real, so we can fully enjoy how well they are written out. With all this movie was seen by 5.5 million viewers, which translated into almost 40 billion profit won (~$37 million).
The story is not new or revealing, but it is a good and fresh combination of familiar patterns, put togheter into a brilliant whole. A young, slightly neurotic cop Ha Yoon-Joo (Han Hyo-Joo) has a rare 3D photographic memory. To use her talent in the best way, she is trying to get into an elite unit in charge of surveillance and supervision, led by Hwang (Sol Kyung-Gu), and supervises by the chief Lee (Kyung Jin). Hwang after a short test, brings her in to his team and gives her the nickname "Flowery Sow". Each member of the team has a nickname (Snake, Squirrel, Monkey, etc.) and each of them is represented on map of current operation, by custom chess piece in shape of their nickname. Ha Yoon-Joo thanks to her intelligence, ambition and enthusiasm, quickly gains the trust of the whole team. Unfortunately, they will face with the villain other than any they so far had to deal with. James (Jang Woo-Sung), is planning attacks with precision and accuracy of a Swiss watch, and everything is done under nos of Hwangs team. Thanks to the excellent planning and supervision of the entire operation from the roofs of skyscrapers all his operations are performed without any problems and without leaving virtually no trace.
Right from the start you can see that we are dealing with an outstanding thriller that have its calmer moments, but they are only helping to build the tension before another portion of the action. A nice surprise is the excellent use of Seoul and its lack of features typical for a big city (no characteristic skyline). Choi and Kim in an interesting way exploited these flaws to create a maze. The action seamlessly moves from the stairways to the streets, subway tunnels and winding streets of markets. But the real genius of the movie reveals itself not in what it does (and everything it does excellently), but in what it does not do. There are no, typical "hard" guys from opposite camps, no heavy (homoerotic) exchanging of glances, nor melodramatic inserts trying to move and shrug viewer.
Yoon-Joo, at some point, is going through a kind of break and floods in tears, but it is rather because of her impotence to use her talent to catch James, than being a "weak" woman. Han Hyo-Joo very convincingly presents a sympathetic cop, along with her ??annoying tics and flaws, who in fact is defined by her skill and not a pretty face or character. In turn, Sol Kyung-Gu somewhat toned down his character, so that Han Hyo-Joo and supporting cast could shine more. Detective Hwang is not simply eccentric, he is a complex person who manipulates the relationships and emotions of others. However, the biggest surprise is the excellently created James. Jang Woo-Sung in recent years stuck in the role of suffering romatic. In Cold Eyes he is finally able to show that he is better than that. Portrayed by him James, is calm and methodical, and his only pleasure is seeing how his elaborately constructed plan is executed. Hwang at some point defines him as "omniscient author" which perfectly describes his character. However, despite all this reserve and distance, James is still a hard and ruthless criminal who will not leave any loos ends, and his favored weapon is a fountain pen.
It is a little sad that such an excellent thriller, is only a remake, not the original work. It is another sign of the imminent stagnation of Korean thrillers, and if directors won't risk and try to experiment with new approaches, we are doomed to see identical thrillers using the same, old ideas.
Despite all the flaws, this is a great thriller that should appeal to any fan of the genre. Finally there is main female character, which is independent and strong, which should appeal to ladies. I hope that my prophecy will not come true in the future we will get more thrillers at level of Cold Eyes (but I would like them to be the original Korean creations).
Was this review helpful to you?
I am surprised that not many people have reviewed this movie or have given better rating because as a suspenseful action movie goes, this movie definitely exceeded my expectations.
Was this review helpful to you?
The story and the acting is excellent! If you’re planning to watch this for Jung Woo-sung, don’t. He’s not the main character and just showed up in not much of the scenes. But don’t get me wrong, the movie is still super fun to watch and you’ll not regret spending a 2 hour-ish watching this ;)
Overall, the movie is great and it’s a 9.5/10 for me⭐️
Was this review helpful to you?
2PM's Junho is surprisingly one of the more entertaining aspects of this show. Honestly, we don't get much "acting" out of Jung Woo Sung, who is meant to be the main villain. By the end of the movie, we don't get much information about his character either, which is a pity. Clearly, Han Hyo Joo's character is meant to be the centerpiece of the show, but her character development is just barely there.
Simon Yam has a cameo, as a wink to the original Hong Kong version of this story, Eye in the Sky.
My verdict - meh.
Was this review helpful to you?
i loved the bond between the team and the teamwork they had was really good. i didn't expect i'd be sad over a part of the film, it felt unnecessary but considering the genre of the film it's plausible. the casting deserves a round of applause and a thumbs up tho, sol kyunggu, han hyojoo, jung woosung, lee junho and the whole entire casts all portrayed their characters very well and did soooo well!
as for the villian, i can tell he was made just to be a "villian".. there really isn't much backstory about him except for him being a thief and being the leader of the group who lies low. i wouldn't say he's the worst villian i've seen in kmovie history but he isn't one who i could cut some slack on solely because of his looks, he's still as evil and crazy (but not as crazy as the chief tho.. *wink*) jung woosung did so well tho!
i would definitely rewatch this when i'm in the mood for a rollercoaster ride of emotions, also i will never shut up on how beautiful hyojoo was in this film even with that hair she had!
Was this review helpful to you?
BEST KOREAN THRILLER YOU'LL EVER COME ACROSS
Usually, Korean Thriller movies lose the plot towards the end but this one doesn't.Right from the bat, it's bang on.
A focused plot is like a clean slate.
Each and every minute is a hell lot interesting to watch.
The plot isn't baffling, it's based on surveillance but the execution and theme predominantly rise up the movie to another level.
And on top of that combine it with the acting of Jung Woo Sung and Han Hye Joo.
Voila Perfection achieved.
The only reason I've given this a 9.5 is the ending.
And once you watch the movie you'll get the reason.
Don't miss it.
It's as real as it gets.
I enjoyed it a lot.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Eye in the Sky 2007 it's spoiler if you have allready see this movie
remake (completly identical) of : " Eye in the Sky"2007 HK movie with :
Simon Yam / Sergeant Wong Man Chin - Sol Kyung Gu / Chief Detective Hwang (Main Role)
Tony Leung Ka‑fai / Chan Chong Shan - Jung Woo Sung / James ( Main Role)
Kate Tsui / Constable Ho Ka Po, Piggy - Ha Yoon Joo / "Piglet" (Main Role) (Main Role)
Source : (Google)
Young Hong Kong police officer Ho Ka-Po (Kate Tsui) is given a shot at joining an elite surveillance unit as it tries to solve a jewelry store robbery. Squad leader Sergeant "Dog Head" Chin (Simon Yam) isn't sure she has the right stuff for the job. The team pores over surveillance camera footage trying to identify the gang of thieves led by the clever and dangerous Shan (Tony Leung). Painstaking police work combines with intense action as cops and crooks head for a showdown.
Was this review helpful to you?
IMP one of the best kmovies
I honestly did not expect this movie to be that good when I first saw it but I love love it. The first time I watched this I fell in love with Han Hyo Joo’s acting and considering this was made in 2013 I was quite surprised how everything was. I kind of wish the movie was longer because I miss it so much and I cannot deny that this is one of my favourites. The ending was nice and perfect , there was nothing boring to the movie and there was nothing you could say that would change my mind on this movie. I rewatch this movie whenever I get the chance to and it never fails to make me sit on the end of my chair waiting for what would happen next.Was this review helpful to you?
A good enough thriller
It was enjoyable 2 hours. I didnt notice how they went by. I enjoyed it. This is a watch-from-distance movie. That means none of the characters develop mainly because its about one particular case. Its completely dependent on what happens in the field so even though pace is pretty good, we never find out anything about characters. Just a superficial thing or two. So you cannot invest in them.The acting has no scipe because there are no incidents where it can be portrayed. The one place where it can be, either director did not give enough tome or main cast failed.
But it still is an enjoyable movie.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Brutal honest review
I do not understand the ratings. I almost fell asleep watching it. There's no background music, there's minimum of talk... Any plot? Where? The first 10 minutes are the best part of this movie. James was the only character who motivated me to not drop it. His coolness, mysteriousness, accuracy. I loved how he planned everything into the smallest detail.The most disappointing part...so James is a skilled slayer who killed everyone without any mistake BUT he gets injured by a woman with retarded tic and killed in the last minute by a team who failed their mission at least 3 times and the guy with glasses somehow survives AND APPEARS suddenly on the spot with everyone despite the seriousness of his injury. Seriously??
Was this review helpful to you?
