In 2016, South Korea and the Philippines made an agreement to extradite criminals who had fled to one another’s countries so they could face prosecution. However, the first attempt to transport four dozen convicts back to Korea via a chartered flight ended disastrously and resulted in several civilian casualties. Now, a few years later, the government is trying again, but this time they have opted for a different mode of transportation. The inmates will be transported from Manila on a massive 58,000 ton freighter called the Frontier Titan, which will travel through international waters and arrive at the port of Busan 2 days later. For added security, more than 20 experienced and decorated detectives will accompany the inmates. In charge of the convoy is Captain Lee Seok-woo (Park Ho-san), who has been with the force for a long time, and has had his own run-ins with some of these criminals. Running things on the ground, and tracking the operation from a command center on the dock at the Philippines is Captain Oh Dae-woong (Dong-il Sung).
Some of the convicts being transported include drug dealer Ko Soo-cheol (Son Jong-hak), murderer Ko Gun-bae (Go Chang-seok), and two Red Notice fugitives—a seemingly mild-mannered young man named Lee Do-il (Jang Dong-yoon) who is wanted for tampering with human remains and 17 first degree assaults, as well as the more ruthless Park Jong-du (Seo In-guk), a man who’s covered head-to-toe in tattoos and is wanted for 13 counts of murder and conspiracy to commit murder. There are only two females among the several dozen prisoners, but it’s easy to see that Choi Myung-ju (Jang Young-nam), who murdered her husband and in-laws, is the one in charge. The women are being escorted by female detectives, led by the ambitious Lee Da-yeon (Jung So-min), who volunteered for the mission out of a sense of loyalty and devotion to her job. Also on board are a doctor and nurse, who were last-minute replacements for the original crew who canceled at the last minute.
As the prisoners are handcuffed in their makeshift cells and the ship leaves the dock, things seem to be going according to plan. The detectives don’t realize that some of these prisoners arrived on the ship with a well-orchestrated, and extremely bloody plan to escape their shackles and take over the vessel. However, those on board are unaware that a monstrous experiment-gone-wrong resides in the cargo hold, and is about to be unleashed, massacring both con and cop indiscriminately. As the mysterious and seemingly-unstoppable creature Alpha (Choi Guyhwa) hunts its prey, those still managing to stay alive find themselves in a kill-or-be-killed fight for survival.
Project Wolf Hunting is a thoroughly-entertaining, action-packed, blood-soaked thrill ride that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The film is constantly re-inventing itself. It starts off looking like it’s going to be some kind of Assault on Precinct 13 type of movie with the prisoners rising up against the cops, but then switches gears into more of Alien-meets-Halloween as a monstrous experiment goes wild aboard the ship, killing anyone on board it comes across. There are lots of mysteries and twists and turns, characters you are sure are going to make it through probably won’t, and whenever you think you know what is going to happen, things change and go another way. It is often a very brutal and bloody film, so the squeamish may want to stay away—neither the criminals nor the Alpha creature show any mercy when it comes to pummeling their enemies.
Well Go’s Blu-ray release provides both the original Korean soundtrack as well as an English dub option. Most of the signs in the movie are written in English, as well as the arrest warrants the detectives are reading as the convicts board the ship. The English subtitles are generally well-written—sometimes the dialogue in the subtitles is slightly better, and sometimes the English Dub track has the edge, but both are generally very good, and the English Dub is well acted. The audio track does an excellent job of capturing the excitement of the action on board, surrounding the viewer in the creaks and ambiance of the ship, and capturing the brutal sounds of the fights. The video quality is nearly flawless, with a very crisp, clean and detailed image, especially in close-ups of faces. The promotional photos above make this film look more stylized than it actually is. In general, the color palette helps to establish the creepy tone aboard the ship, and the bloody damage that is done to many of those on board.
Well Go’s Blu-ray release includes about 6 minutes of behind-the-scenes featurettes with the cast and director, as well as the film’s trailer and some previews for three other Well Go releases. The disc comes packed in a locking HD keepcase, and doesn’t include a digital copy. Our review copy did not include any slipcover.
What’s Included:
Film: (2:02:18)
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Blu-ray:
- 1080p / Widescreen 2.39:1
- Audio: Korean DTS-HDMA 5.1, Korean Stereo, English DTS-HDMA 5.1, English Stereo
- Subtitles: English
Extras:
- Behind the Scenes (4:46)
The cast and director talk about making the most brutal film imaginable, the genre-bending twists and turns, the action sequences and stunts, the massive set, the characters, and working with the director. They end with a few words for the viewers. Includes behind-the-scenes footage, and interviews with director Kim Hongsun, and stars Jang Young-nam (“Myung-ju”), Go Chang-seok (“Gun-bae”), Lee Sung-wook (“Kyung-ho”), Park Ho-san (“Seok-woo”), Seo In-guk (“Jong-du”), Jang Dong-yoon (“Do-il”) & Jung So-min (“Da-yeon”). Presented in Korean with English subtitles. - Making the Alpha (1:24)
Star Choi Guyhwa (“Alpha”) and director Kim Hongsun talk about the character of Alpha, his look, the makeup process, losing weight for the role, and more. Includes behind-the-scenes footage. Presented in Korean with English subtitles. - Trailer (2:17)
- Previews
- Alienoid (1:34)
- The Grandmaster of Kung Fu (1:17)
- Emergency Declaration (1:38)
Final Thoughts:
Project Wolf Hunting may be my favorite of the Well Go releases I have reviewed. I really enjoyed how the film constantly shakes things up and goes in different directions to keep you guessing, entertained, and on the edge of your seat. It’s a blood-soaked action thriller and a bloody good time. The film seems to set up a potential sequel in the end, and I am definitely all for that! Well Go’s Blu-ray release looks and sounds great, and even includes some bonus material. This is an easy recommendation for those looking for an entertaining action film, and don’t mind a little lot of blood.
Project Wolf Hunting
50% Off $29.98 $14.50 (as of November 25, 2024 11:38 GMT -05:00 – More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Project Wolf Hunting
35% Off $24.98 $11.81 (as of November 25, 2024 11:38 GMT -05:00 – More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
