Wooch: The Demon Slayer

Directed by: Dong-hun Choi

Starring: Dong-won Kang, Su-Hai-jin Yu, Jeon Lim, Yun-seok Kim

Synopsis:

The Wizard Woochi, (Kang) is an egotistical charmer, searching for a mystical bronze dagger and Mirror which will enhance his powers. During his adventures he crosses paths with three bumbling Gods and a master wizard, who are tracking two goblins who are in possession of a magic flute – the wielder of which can control the Underworld. Woochi is framed by the other wizard who has become corrupted by the power of the flute, and finds himself trapped inside a painting for 500 years.

500 hundred years later, the three bumbling gods are still hunting the two goblins and find themselves having to free Woochi to help them. Now free in the modern world, Woochi helps track the goblins and searches for his own magic talismans, the bronze dagger and mirror…

Review:

The above synopsis is but the tip of the iceberg as far as the intricately plotted story goes. Woochi is a film not satisfied with just being a big blockbuster. It has a filmic structure which is quite complex and likely to wrong-foot many on the first viewing.

This is a film full to the brim with rich visuals and a very talky plot full of word play and witticisms and may be too much to take in on one viewing. I suggest just enjoying the visual flavour while skimming the subtitles for the first watch, then enjoy the wonderful script later.

A lot of Korean fantasy movies tend to have a rather serious, po-faced streak to them but that is completely absent here. Instead there is an overt playfulness throughout, even when things are getting seriously deadly. There is a lot of inventiveness here, both in the various situations Woochi finds himself in and the many types of spells being cast. The spells themselves are of the Taoist variety: written on yellow sheets of paper.

There are some great set-pieces, one of the best being an intense and spectacular car chase as Woochi and the three gods pursue – and are pursued by – the goblins. The battles of magic are also well handled, with the visuals never leaving the viewer confused about who is doing what.

The goblins are also quite interesting in design, as in their original form they represent a humanoid rabbit and guinea pig! The CGI works well but there is a sense that the CGI creatures are a little disjointed from the action they’re participating in.

AS mentioned above, the script is as much a delight as the visuals. Woochi is an egotistical charmer and gets involved in a number of verbal battles which are as enthralling as his spell-casting. The three gods provide a lot of humour in their bumbling nature and bickering with each other. Woochi also has a side-kick, in the form of a dog that has been morphed into a human, a situation he wants to be made permanent. He’s a bit of a dummy but absolutely fearless and loves a good fight!

Verdict:

Full of wit, wonder and wizardry, Woochi is a delight, a film that lives up to the promise of it's trailer and then some.

8 out of 10 (MikeOutWest)

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