Seobok 2021 sci-fi action film reviews MOVIES and MANIA

Seobok is a 2021 South Korean science fiction action film about a former intelligence agent who gets involved with the first human clone. Also known as Seobok: Project Clone

Written and directed by Yong-Joo Lee, the movie stars Yoo Gong, Bo-Gum Park, Young-nam Jang, Woo-jin Jo and Andreas Fronk.

Plot:
Gi Heon (Gong Yoo) is an ex-agent of the intelligence agency, and Seo Bok (Park Bo-gum) is the first human clone created through stem cell cloning and genetic engineering. He possesses the secret for eternal life. They get entangled in dangerous situations as several forces want to take control of Seo Bok…

Reviews:
“The biggest strengths in Seobok are its action sequences, it’s pretty good special effects, heartfelt narrative, and last but not least, Gong Yoo and Park Bo-gum’s killer chemistry. There’s frankly not enough action, but what’s there is bonkers.” Adam Putra

“Some will undoubtedly find its placid style of production at odds with what a sci-fi flick should be and begrudge its scarcely placed moments of fleeting, albeit unabating, action. Those wishing for a breathless piece of cinema will seldom find much to sink their teeth into here, but could conceivably find a level of intrigue in Lee’s ambitious attempts to dig deeper into morality…” Asian Movie Pulse

“Seobok: Project Clone is a beautiful sci-fi film that brings ideas that once were so far-fetch and now are a bit closer to reality that it does the right thing by asking the questions it does […] There is much more here than the story of a clone finding himself and wanting more out of life, yet that is the part of the story that resonates the most.” Cinema Crazed

“In true Korean cinema tradition, behind all its expensive-looking sci-fi special effects of the fancy hi-tech laboratory facilities as well as the violent displays of Seo Bok’s powerful telekinetic abilities, Seobok is a thought-provoking personal and philosophical drama at heart. Hammy supporting actors aside, the film was carried by the magnetic performances of its two charismatic lead stars, making that concluding moment one of sheer poignance.” Fred Hawson

” …violent double-crosses, as well as some funny, figurative dick-swinging contests between the narcissistic men who want to continue playing God, no matter the consequences […] Seobok is an impressive feat – existential science-fiction wrapped up in a blockbuster package. I can’t recommend it highly enough.” Screen Anarchy

” …Korean sci-fi thriller that plays like a rambling, quasi-philosophical road movie. Despite having all the elements of a hi-tech thrill ride, Seobok falls well wide of the mark – not even its superstar pairing of heartthrobs Gong and Park can save it. Director Lee Yong-joo does set the stage for some breathless, cerebral cinema, but it just never materialises.” South China Morning Post

MOVIES and MANIA rating:

Release:
The film’s planned South Korean theatrical release was in December 2020, but this was postponed due to the continued pandemic. In the end, Seobok was released simultaneously in theatres and via streaming media TVING on April 15, 2021. It has screened at various film festivals internationally such as Fantasia in August 2021.

Well Go USA Entertainment released the film on Blu-ray and DVD in the USA on February 15th 2022.

Cast and characters:
Yoo Gong … Ki Heon; Bo-Gum Park … Seo Bok; Young-nam Jang; Woo-jin Jo … Chief Ahn; Andreas Fronk … Mercenary

Original title:
서복

Technical specs:
1 hour 54 minutes
Audio: Dolby Digital
Aspect ratio: 2.39: 1

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