One of the reasons thatJames Gunnhas been so successful making films for both Marvel and DC is that he appears to be a genuine comic book buff with a vast knowledge of literary history. While many directors choose to make comic book adaptations based on the career opportunities that they may provide, Gunn has been incredibly passionate when talking about the characters, films, and storylines that inspired him.Gunn cited the South Korean action thrillerOldboyas one of thebest comic book films ever made and mentioned that it “reinvented action” for the entire industry. AlthoughOldboyis well-regarded as one of the best films ever made byPark Chan-wook, it’s easy to forget that it was based on a popular Japanese manga of the same name.

In making his selections of thebest comic book films ever, Gunn selected titles that represented the diversity of the genre;Deadpoolwas a self-aware satire of narrative tropes,Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Versewas a masterclass in visual storytelling,Superman: The Moviecreated the modern perception of the genre, andA History of Violenceoffered a grim look at the lasting repercussions of a life of crime.Gunn said thatOldboywas “incredibly cinematic, incredibly colorful, really kind of gross, but also beautiful,”and noted that it led to a resurgence in South Korean action cinema.Oldboymay be a lot darker than anything that Gunn has made thus far in his career, but it’s easy to see the influence that Park’s masterpiece has had on his approach to storytelling.

‘Oldboy’ Featured Groundbreaking Action Choreography

Even those that have never seenOldboyare likely familiar withthe infamous “hallway fight” sequence, in which the former businessman Oh Dae-su (Choi Min-sik) battles a group of criminals while confined to a tight corridor.Oldboy’sstandout action sequence showed that there was tension to be found in enclosed spaces in which the environment itself caused disadvantages to the hero. Beyond the brilliant production design, the fight scene inOldboyshowed the merit of practical stunt choreography, as the stationary nature of the camerawork allowed Park to show the beautiful hand-to-hand combat moments in full detail. Gunn utilized a similar scene in the firstGuardians of the Galaxyfilm, which featured Groot (Vin Diesel) taking down a squad of guards as the other heroes race down an enclosed hallway. Gunn has also shown an affinity for including hand-to-hand combat in his films, asSuperfeatured some amusing moments ofRainn Wilson’s character learning martial arts so that he can become the superhero known as “The Crimson Bolt.”

AlthoughOldboyis known as an action movie first and foremost, the shocking degree of violence within the action scenes suggests that Park took some influence from the horror genre.Oldboywas unafraid to get graphically violent by showing the repercussions of action, as Dae-su is forced to bear significant injuries throughout the film; even ifhe is technically a heroic figure, Dae-su does subject his enemies to horrifically painful blows. Gunn has taken a similar approach to showing overwhelming moments of violence, even if he generally uses it for a more comedic effect. Although the hilarious sequence inGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2when Yondu (Michael Rooker) and Rocket Raccoon (Bradley Cooper) take down the enemy pirates was somewhat limited by its PG-13 rating, Gunn was able to get as violent as possible during a shooting competition between Deathstroke (Idris Elba) and Peacemaker (John Cena) in his R-rated DC filmThe Suicide Squad.

‘Oldboy’ Lead to a Rise in Darker Comic Book Films

Although comic book films were already popular at the time ofOldboy’s release due to the popularity ofSpider-ManandX-Men, Park’s masterpiece showed the possibility that there were for more mature, adult-oriented adaptations of graphic novels.Oldboywas followed by the release of several R-rated comic book films based on similarly niche source material, includingDredd, Atomic Blonde, Constantine, V for Vendetta,and the aforementionedA History of Violence.It was clear thatOldboyhad become so influential that it reached an audience outside of South Korea, as American critics likeRoger Ebertwere ready to declare that it was a masterpiece. Even thoughSpike Leetried to make an English-language remake in 2013 starringJosh BrolinandElizabeth Olsen,the poor reviews suggested that audiences much preferred the original classic.

Many critics of the comic book genrewould complain that modern superhero films only exist to foreshadow another upcoming crossover event, butOldboyremains a standalone masterpiece that still incited discussions about its various implications.Oldboyhas been analyzed for its commentary on class relations, its reinvention of the Oedipal tragedy, and its satire on the cyclical nature of revenge, as the film is so packed with subtle imagery and moments that it can be viewed multiple times to pick up on latent details. One of the reasons that audiences are still so drawn toOldboyis the ambiguous note that the film ended on, as it is unclear what decision Dae-su ends up making. If Gunn is looking to films likeOldboyas inspiration, then it would appear that the future of his DC Universe is in good hands.

Release Date

November 21, 2003

Runtime

120 minutes

Director

Park Chan-wook

Writers

Park Chan-wook, Hwang Jo-yoon, Lim Joon-hyung

Producers

Syd Lim

Sequel(s)

Lady Vengeance

Franchise(s)

Oldboy

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