Memories of Murder Review: Boon Joon Ho's Classic Film Gets A Deserved Remaster

Release date: October 19, 2020 (American Remaster Release)
Running time: 132 minutes
Starring: Kang-ho Song, Sang-kyung Kim, Roe-ha Kim 

Memories of Murder tells the harrowing true story of the hunt for a sadistic serial rapist and murderer terrorizing a small province in 1980s South Korea. Marking the first of many successful collaborations between four-time Oscar winner Bong Joon Ho and leading man Song Kang Ho, the film follows the paths of three increasingly desperate detectives as they attempt to decipher the violent mind of a killer in a futile effort to solve the case. Now, seventeen years after its initial release, and a year after the real culprit of the crimes that inspired this film was identified, this cult classic takes its place as a modern masterpiece.

Bong Joon Ho has been making films for a while, and some of his past work are indeed cult classics, but after Parasite he shot onto the American radar.  His work mixes social commentary, dark humor, serious scenes, and overall fantastic composition to tell some truly unique stories.  His work is tough to categorize because it blends into multiple genres, but it is always interesting, entertaining, and riveting.  Memories of a Murder is no exception.  The film is classic Bong Joon Ho (literally and figuratively) with the story of a small town detective in over his head trying to solve a gruesome string of murders.  And Parasite fans will recognize his lead actor Song Kang Ho, who also played the main role in the Academy Award Winner.  Ho is a similar character and just as enjoyable to watch, juggling a complex set of emotions and influences to portray a detective that is one part cunning and at the same time bumbling.  Memories of Murder has an extensive cast that fills out this world.  The two small detectives, the more seasoned detective from Seoul, the villagers, everyone works effortlessly and persistently to build this world.

The story of this film fits Bong Joon Ho's style, with comical, serious, and socially important aspects.  A main crux of this film is depicting South Korea in a simpler time, before forensics took over and when police worked on instinct.  It depicts the lengths that the cops will go to solve this case and the circus that developed around it.  Crime scenes were not preserved, evidence was lost, all harkening back to a time before modern police methods.  And sometimes, suspects were interrogated, tortured, and answers literally beaten out of them.  But what this also depicts is that despite society's desire to sometimes reminisce about a simpler time before technology, some individuals were just as sinister then as now.  There is no silver lining here, no rose colored glasses.  The crimes and suffering that the victims endured is raw and scary to see, and the more serious scenes are dripping with dread and tension.  

Memories of Murder is being remastered and re-released for the western market, and the remaster is a beautiful sight to behold.  The film looks clean and modern.  Although you can tell it is an old film from some small touches, nothing in it screams that it is dated.  The colors are vibrant, the night scenes are inky dark; the film just looks beautiful.  It is accompanied by an equally impressive soundtrack that is especially well done during the dark scenes.  The audio accompanying the stalking and eventual murders is unsettling, and it causes the viewer to jump at every small pop.  If you liked Parasite or true crime in general, then you should definitely check this film out.

Memories of Murder's remaster modernizes this classic Bong Joon Ho film with stunning visuals to add to the amazing sense of tension and the director's style of mixing dark comedy, social commentary, and serious subject matter.

Watch it.

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following us on our various social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube.   The digitally remastered version of Memories of Murder will be in theaters nationwide October 19th and October 20th for a two night limited theatrical engagement in partnership with Fathom Events.  The special presentation of the film will include exclusive content plus a post-screening conversation with Bong Joon Ho and celebrated filmmaker Edgar Wright (Baby Driver, Scott Pilgrim vs the World, Hot Fuzz).  For tickets visit Fathom Events or check the links below.

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