Shark: The Beginning (2021)

I don’t want to run away anymore

A movie that tells a story about a teenage boy who ends up in prison, meets a boxer champion and grow as a person.

This movie is actually based on a Webtoon which I’m a fan of, which is why I felt that the movie fell short in comparison to it.

One reason was how they edited the story setup. Without much spoilers, I felt that the character of cha woo sol in the movie is slightly different than the Webtoon in terms of how he got himself into jail. But if you didn’t read the Webtoon, you would be fine! Though, there are other changes which I like, which is giving my man wi ha joon more screentime, loved his backstory!! Overall, apart from mc setup, the rest of the plot stayed true to the Webtoon. And all the actors did an awesome job portraying their characters and most of them look like the characters in the Webtoon. It really felt like the characters came to life which is ????!

However, I felt that the scenes in the movie were way too short, and I couldn’t feel myself immerse in it. Like once I got in, it was time to move on to the next cut/ scene, takes me out of the story. Maybe because it’s a movie, they packed a lot of scenes so to make it less boring. But I would appreciate if the scenes were longer so I can invest my emotions to the characters.

The actions scenes were great! I liked how it was shot, the sound effects made me wince in pain (with the characters) and I loved the background music while they fight. Though it can be more gruesome given the tone of the movie and plot. And there are a few actions scenes that were cut awkwardly and didn’t really connect leaving me confused. But overall a decent movie with good action scenes!!

This movie illustrates the first arc in the Webtoon, I wondered how they would end it in the movie. And I’m satisfied they ended it in this way!

Although the movie fell short in comparison to the Webtoon, the movie delivers a tightly woven story with good acting, action scenes, a little humor and heartwarming in a place like prison. Probably won’t rewatch it in the future, but if they ever have a 2nd movie, I would be the first to watch ?! Thank you for reading until the end, hope you enjoy the movie!!

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To sum it all up...

- About a boy who is bullied (in prison and out) and frequently get into fights, tends to get beaten up(quite a lot) but never fails to give up, to then win against his much stronger opponent. lol .
- first 3/4 of the film was just Cha woo sol training and fighting other inmates. When i finally found myself fully engrossed in the film, the story was nearly over.
- wasn't much depth to the side characters, so i couldn't connect or empathise with them.
- felt that the bully joining the gang was unnecessary?? don't know what it added to the story.
- ending was rushed and was quite unsatisfactory- made you question what on earth he learnt during his time in prison lol
- Wi ha Joon is charming as ever.

It may seem that i'm very critical of the film, but i can honestly say that i enjoyed it regardless. There isn't much substance to the plot, but it was a compelling watch- with an amazing cast, and great action scenes to keep you entertained throughout.

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