Notable Cast: Gang Dong-won, Heo Joon-ho, Esom, Lee Dong-hwi,
Kim Jong-soo, Park So-yi, Yoon Byung-hee, Joo Bo-bi, Park Kyung-hye
Kim Seong-sik's directorial debut Dr. Cheon and the
Lost Talisman is sure to be one of the sleeper hits of 2023. It’s a
gorgeously directed horror-tinged swashbuckling adventure film filled to the
brim with fun characters and great action.
Dr. Cheon and the Lost Talisman don't waste any time
building the world around the characters or explaining too much. There is an
exorcist who goes around dispelling fake curses and scheming folks out of their
money. It's something we've seen before, but once things become reality, the
film begins to happen. It kicks the story into overdrive, and we get to see the
titular Dr. Cheon (Gang Dong-won) showcase his real wizardry powers, which are
imbued within a nifty-looking broken sword that he wields. Esom plays a woman
with eyes that can see into the other realms of existence, and thus, the two
pair up to stop a villain that is threatening their very existence.
The strength of the film, aside from the visual eye candy
and consistent action set pieces, would be the tone. It sets up a world of fun
but with a sense of horror lurking beneath. Cheon's assistant, played by the ever-funny
Lee Dong-hwi who always nails the comedy roles, is a tech expert who helps the
Doctor stage their scamming shows of trickery. He is skeptical of what begins
to happen, even as he sees it with his own eyes. He has a fun, albeit simple
arc and gets his moment to shine. The characters along the way aren't profoundly
explored per se, but they are all memorable and serve to keep the adventure fun
and engaging.
The action here features hand-to-hand, swordplay, and a
plethora of special effects-driven moments that keep the momentum alive and the
pacing exhilarating. There were many moments when I caught myself with a big
smile on my face. I love a good action-adventure film, and with the elements of
horror throughout, it appealed to all the sensibilities in me as a genre
enthusiast. I was eating it up, and unexpectedly. I think the posters are a bit
misleading. It made it seem like a family-friendly adventure, and while there
certainly are more fun elements to be had here, there are several bits of
horror; while maybe not too gruesome, they certainly don't shy away from blood
and what you see being depicted on screen, and I respected that a lot.
The main villain isn't original either, but he has a certain
aura and nails the creepy and powerful evil wizard aesthetic well. He is a
formidable foe who helps keep the stakes high for our heroes as they navigate
this dark and magical world to seek out a powerful talisman to aid them in
their fight. Again, the film isn't entirely original. Still, the direction is so
assured, and the style is so rich that it becomes the substance and very much
an easily digestible piece of popcorn entertainment. I'm hoping the potential
sequel gets greenlit.
Admittedly, I went into this one with sort of low
expectations, but five minutes into the film, there is a Parasite reference
and cameo by two of its stars (respect!). I had this gut feeling the movie was ramping up to be something fun, and indeed it was. Dr. Cheon and
the Lost Talisman is the surprise Korean gem of the year and one that
fans of genre filmmaking should not miss. It may just surprise you and find a
way to your heart as well. It won me over, and I patiently await any potential this has to become a franchise. I need more.
Highly recommended.
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