#MovieMonday: Extreme Job Review: A Must-Watch Korean Movie That Delights With Fried Chicken & Running Man Humour

For the longest time, everyone has been crazy over Hollywood. Brad Pitt, Robert Downey Junior, Ryan Gosling… you know, the heavyweights.

But to me, one industry has proven its mettle, and might even give the American movie industry a serious run for its money:

Koreawood.

Zombie fans, for one, would surely remember Train to Busan, the Korean zombie thriller that excited audiences all around the world.

And with Extreme Job’s release, I’ve got a nagging feeling that in a decade’s time, movie fans will no longer be worshipping the American filmmaking industry…

But the Korean industry instead.

So… what’s Extreme Job all about?

For those unaware, Extreme Job features a not-so-extreme synopsis:

Narcotics detectives work undercover in a chicken joint to try and bust a gang of organized criminals. Things take an unexpected turn when their new recipe suddenly transforms the run-down restaurant into the hottest eatery in town.

Yes, Extreme Job‘s about chicken. Fried chicken. 

Directed by Byung-heon Lee, the crime/action film’s distributed by CJ E&M Film Business Division and runs a total time of 1 hour 52 minutes.

Here’s the trailer for reference (fried chicken included):

Review wise, the movie commands a pretty respectable score in every sector:

Incidentally, it has already collected a whopping US$122.5 million at the box office, against a budget of ₩6.5 billion (US$5.8 million). Extreme Job also broke the record for the highest-grossing Korean comedy film of all time, within just 19 days of its release. Before Extreme Job, the title belonged to Miracle in Cell No. 7.

On 18 February, it was revealed that the film has become the highest-grossing film of all time in South Korea.

Just so you know, this movie was released in Singapore on 28 February 2019. Yeah, a little too past tense but it’s still in cinemas and most importantly, it’s one of the shows to watch now as there are no other (good) new movies last week except for Captain Goose the Cat.

Enter my personal review

As per usual, I shall break down my review into a couple of aspects:

• Visuals
• Organisation
• Enjoyment

Do take note that this is my personal take on the movie, so if you disagree with my sentiments please do not pepper my doorstep with rotten eggs.

Visuals

Over the years, Korean films (dramas and movies) have really cultivated a taste for rich visuals. Golden examples? Goblin and Train to Busan.

And unsurprisingly, the newly-crowned highest-grossing film of all time in South Korea boasts some pretty slick visuals too.

The cinematography was spot-on; scenes really came through, and what can I say?

There was never a point in time when the film’s visuals felt weird or whacky.

And so… visual rating?

A solid 4/5.

Organisation

To me, one aspect matters just as much, if not more, as the underlying plot of the film:

The structure of the film.

I mean; just think about it. If a film has the plot promise of Spider-man: Into the Spider-Verse but the structure of The Last Airbender... it probably isn’t gonna work as well.

Well, thankfully, Extreme Job more than excels in this department. Never was there an instant when the plot went out of bounds, or I felt a little tingly because something just wasn’t clicking.

The storyline flowed fluidly, and the conclusion was nothing short of satisfying. Even the introduction, which I felt was a lagging part in Captain Goose the Cat, was done so well it really enraptured a viewer’s attention from the start.

Some pointers for you, Captain Goose the Cat’s sequel? 😉

Organisation: 4.5/5

Enjoyment

At its core, Extreme Job is really just a crime/action film that’s intended to tickle all your funnybones while at the same time, get your adrenaline pumping. And personally, I feel that Extreme Job didn’t do a very good job at it.

Rather, it did a superb job.

With comedic moments that really shine through like beacons, and action scenes that ooze sheer testosterone (and estrogen), I’m telling you;

You’ll spend half the time choking on popcorn because you were laughing so hard, and the other half admiring the finely-choreographed fight scenes and wishing that you took up that boxing membership the last month.

And if you doubt my sense of humour, I’ll have you know that this time around, I’m not in the minority.

And lest you haven’t caught on, I enjoyed the movie.

Extremely.

Enjoyment: 5/5

And so… it’s really a no-brainer

Craving for an entertaining way to pass the time? Or constantly on the lookout for the next great film to giggle over?

Well, I think you’ve got it.

With generous helpings of comedic humour, adrenaline-pumping action and even a small dose of emotions, Extreme Job exceeds all expectations…

And lives up to its title of the highest-grossing film of all time in South Korea.

Rating: 4.5/5