Face (South Korea/2004)

 

Picture: C+     Sound: B     Extras: C+     Film: C+

 

 

Another serial killer is on the loose, using acid to literally burn off the skin of his victims, especially their Face.  Naturally, the police turn to an expert to help them catch him, because it is almost always a man and the police somehow have not learned how to get these guys by now.  You would think after all these films, the police in cinema could catch these guys in no time, but they need an “expert” of some sort.  If only an expert had written the script.

 

Instead, with some credit to Italian Giallo Horror tradition, the killer is doing what he does because he likes to see people suffer and doing this is about power and control.  Oddly though, this reminded me as much of the much derided, yet interesting House Of Wax remake in its emphasis on the human body (versus face) and the excessive metal gadgets and devices devoted to its capture and alteration.  That film had more of a sense of humor, while this one does not know if it is a thriller or something more supernatural, down to the female specter who looks like the long haired “girl” from The Ring celebrating hair weaves.  The visual effects are lamer than expected and the film ultimately does not add up, but a minority of touches are interesting.  Too bad it was not more ambitious, original, and focused, because this could have worked.

 

The anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 image has phasing and ghosting in many scenes where it should not, while other shots are colorful and look good.  That is odd.  Cinematographer Choi Gi-Yeol does a good job, but between him and the director, the theme of the human face does not go far enough, undermining the film.  The sound is here in Dolby Digital English 5.1, Korean Dolby 2.0 with Pro Logic surrounds and especially good 5.1 DTS that makes the film more interesting than it would have been otherwise.  Too bad the film did not have more impact.  Extras include the trailer for this and a bunch of other Tartan Asia Extreme DVDs, outtakes, cast/crew interviews, stills and a behind the scenes photo shoot.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo