The Roundup

South Korea is rapidly developing something of a reputation for quality action crime dramas.

The Roundup, the latest of a series of gritty crime dramas is yet another success story. Based around a simple formula, they pit the worst of organised criminals against a no nonsense hard man Korean copper and his team. Of course, we know the outcome but the ride is well worth taking, nonetheless.

I did find this latest film a little slow at first but it picks up pace in the second half, delivering no shortage of thrills and violence with a simple but functional, back story.

Indeed, these films, seem to have filled the space previously occupied by 80's US franchises like the Lethal Weapon series and Death Wish. They have a similarly violent feel, in fact they are a lot more violent and bloody, which may rule out some viewers.

The characters like their earlier western counterparts are well rendered and inherently likeable. Chemistry between the cop team is positive and well round, with a splash of humour to lighten the load.

So if you are despairing the loss of the kind of gritty US crime cop action flicks, you recall from "back in the day", give South Korean films like this one a go. You wont be disappointed.