- Director : Park Hoon-Jung
- Actors : Shin Sia, Park Eun-Bin, Seo Eun-Soo, Jin Goo, Sung Yu-Been
- Dubbed: : English
- Studio : Well Go Usa
- MPAA rating : NR (Not Rated)
- Country of Origin : South Korea
- Number of discs : 1
- Media Format : Subtitled, Widescreen
- Run time : 2 hours and 18 minutes
- Release date : November 8, 2022
For many years we could see the impact of
cinema on television, with sitcoms shifting from the staged three-camera theatrical
set-up to the open style of single-camera shows and the finality of limited series.
In more recent years, it has also felt like television has had an impact on
movies, with loose ends intentionally left for sequels and opening up possibilities
for cinematic universes. This sequel to The Witch: Subversion has this
impact, beginning a new strand of the narrative rather than continuing the original
story. The Witch 2: The Other one adds more to the existing universe,
but audiences may be disappointed to find that the primary purpose seems to be
setting up the next film.
Another criticism
that has been made about this sequel to the popular South Korean sci-fi action
film is that it essentially repeats the storyline of the first film, with new
characters. In some ways this is true, with the narrative following a girl
named Ark 1 (Shin Si-ah) who escapes from a secret laboratory to live with a
family in their remote home. Kyung-hee (Park
Eun-bin) is facing her own problems with a gangster named Yong-doo (Jin Goo)
trying to strongarm her into selling the home she shares with her younger
brother Dae-gil (Sung Yoo-bin). The siblings invite Ark 1 to stay with them,
discovering she has a ferocious appetite and abilities similar to those displayed
by Ja-yoon (Kim Da-mi) for all to see on the competition singing TV show in the
first film.
These powers
come in handy when Yong-doo brings thugs to the home to harass Kyung-hee, but they also draw the
attention of others with powers who are hunting Ark 1. So many characters have
powers in this sequel, it begins to feel like South Korea’s version of an X-Men
film at times. But even that is a bit too generous, because without a wide variety
of abilities and a similar story to the last film, The Witch 2 is lacking
in creativity. Although there are some great action sequences, the narrative drags
a little in the middle and ends in a way that makes it feel like an extended
trailer for the next installment.
Despite the
repetition of the plot and the lack of resolution, The Witch 2 is an
easy view. In the larger sense, it may serve as a necessary chapter in the
franchise, even if it has the unfortunate feel of a middle film. Those who
liked the first movie will find much to enjoy, and there are even some rather
bold choices made in the narrative. It is only when comparing it to the first
film that The Witch 2 seems to fall short. Ultimately, it will come down
to the next installment to determine the quality of this film, which is another
sign this franchise is built with the serial nature of television in mind.
The Blu-ray
release for The Witch 2: The Other One includes a behind-the-scenes
featurette. This is essentially the only special feature, other than a trailer
and optional English dubbing.
Entertainment Value:
/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: /10
Historical
Significance: /10
Special Features:
/10
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