3. . . Extremes (2004)
Saam Gaang Yi
3. . . Extremes DVD Movie Review
3… Extremes is a movie comprised of three horror segments from three different directors from three different countries. This movie is actually the sequel to 3… Extremes 2. Lions Gate, the production company who distributed these movies in the US, released the first movie as a sequel to 3… Extremes in order to capitalize on the success of what was chronologically the second 3… Extremes movie. For this installment, the films' producer, Peter Chan asked Hong Kong director, Fruit Chan, Korean director, Park Chan-wook, and Japanese director, Takashi Miike to each direct a horror segment focusing on matters of the extreme.
The first segment is Dumplings, directed by Fruit Chan. This short film is about a woman known as Aunt Mei, whose dumplings have amazing restorative qualities. Aunt Mei's main customer is Mrs. Li, a middle aged woman searching for a "fountain of youth". Mrs. Li soon finds out that these rejuvenating dumplings have some rather macabre ingredients.
This story is structured like a fairy tale. It is complemented nicely by Christopher Doyle's lush, vibrant camerawork. The beauty of the cinematography is a wonderful contrast to this segment's dark, disturbing subject matter.
The film's second story is Cut directed by South Korean director, Park Chan-wook. This short is about a famous director who is kidnapped by one of his extras. After being kidnapped, the director wakes to find that he has been taken to the set of his newest movie where his wife has been tied to her piano bench with piano wire. The kidnapper informs the director that for every five minutes that passes that he does not kill a young girl that has been tied to the couch, he will cut off one of his wife's fingers. The director learns that he was kidnapped because he is rich, famous, and a genuinely good person. His kidnapper wishes to tarnish his good name.
Park Chan-wook directed this segment as a black comedy of sorts. The majority of the violence is slapstick and more comical than disturbing. This story has its disturbing moments, but most of the horror is obscured by the absurd presentation.
The third and final segment of 3… Extremes is Box, directed by Japanese director, Takashi Miike. This story is about Kyoko, a novelist that has a recurring nightmare about being buried alive. When they were younger, Kyoko and her sister, Shoko were participants in a magic act where they would climb into boxes and their father would make them disappear. During this time Kyoko was jealous of Shoko, who practiced constantly and had gained favor with their father. One night, in a fit of jealous rage, Kyoko cut her father across the face and accidentally burned down the performance tent, killing Shoko. This segment is about how Kyoko feels haunted by her father and sister.
Miike filmed this segment in art house fashion. He employed many elements of his surrealistic style to set the tone of this picture. There are moments in this segment that are difficult to follow and should be chocked up to Miike's signature insanity.
With this movie, Peter Chan set out to showcase the unique talents of three of Asia's boldest directors. Although the three segments that make up 3… Extremes are parts of a whole, this movie is most enjoyable when each segment is viewed as its own separate story. 3… Extremes is a great example of what some of Asia's more demented directors have to offer. unfit for comparison with either of the 2 other supporting segments.
Previous Asian Film Review : Sexy Soccer
|
