Another Public Enemy VCD

Chul Joong's spotless reputation is challenged when he crosses paths with his former classmate, Han Sang Woo (Jeong Jun Ho), interim chair of the Myung Sun Foundation. Sang-Woo didn't assume this position through hard work and dedication. It just so happened that his father died, and his brother, who was next in line for the position, was critically injured in a mysterious car accident not long after. Chul Joong smells a rat, but encounters difficulties in conducting his investigation as superiors and "respectable" types warn him off the case. With obstacles at every turn, can Chul Joong bring down his slimy nemesis? Or will this public enemy's vast riches allow him to get away scot-free?

Those hoping for a direct continuation of Public Enemy may be somewhat disappointed with this unrelated sequel at first glance. Gone is the well-meaning, but rough around the edges anti-hero of the first film and in his place is a self-assured, morally righteous hero of heroes. If this were a Western, Kang Chul Joong would be wearing a white hat to let the audience know which side he's on. Consequently, Han Sang Woo is basically evil personified, his mask of respectability allowing him to manipulate others to his own benefit. He's a man who has bribed and murdered his way to the top. Heck, he even runs a guy over with his car just to show he's not a man to be trifled with. Critics may scoff that characters like these are unrealistic, but perhaps they are also too jaded to realize that these types exist outside the realm of cinema. The fact that these two polar opposites are locked in a deadly game of cat and mouse only ratchets up the tension of the piece, creating a huge sense of anticipation for the moment Sang Woo finally gets his comeuppance.

One aspect of the film that more than makes up for its narrative flaws is its depiction of male camaraderie in between the film's more stressful occurrences. Welcome moments of humor between Chul Joong and his colleagues help give the film a more personal touch that defies the seemingly one-dimensional nature of their characters.

Although the original film was just as accessible, Another Public Enemy is the kind of movie that should register immediately with American audiences. Kang Chul Joong is the prototypical self-made man, a Batman-esque prosecutor, who has honed his mind and skills for one mission and one mission alone - to serve the public good. Han Sang Woo, of course, represents the worst that can be created by such a society; a man born with a silver spoon in his mouth who has no interest in helping anyone but himself and has no problem using illegal means to do so. Here, the director attempts to highlight the corruption of politics and business in Korean culture, an issue that gets emphasized to the point where it becomes a bit too obvious. But still, for those looking for a movie where heroes are heroes, men are men, and good triumphs over evil, one could do worse than to check out Another Public Enemy, a solid sequel that expands on the original's premise in new and exciting ways.

By Calvin McMillin - LoveHKFilm.com