IRIS: NEW GENERATION DVD (2013)

SYNOPSIS: Korea, the last divided nation on earth, is constantly under political and military tension with the surrounding countries, especially concerning the North Korean nuclear issue. To avoid the second Korean war, NSS (National Security Service) that exists for the national security of the Korean peninsula, operates beyond the limits of law or regulations. And its biggest threat is a global terrorist organization known only as IRIS. And after discovering the IRIS had planted doubled agents within NSS which reaches even the former NSS chief, the organization is at a constant alert for the moles. The North and South Korean summit peace talk is held in Hungary, and top secret agents from both sides are assigned for the security of this conference against possible threats of terrorism. And on the second day of the summit, the North Korean representative is assassinated, throwing all the agents on a desperate pursuit for the killer.

MOVIE REVIEW:

Stories on the conflicts between the North and South never get old and tired for the Korean filmmakers. IRIS: New Generation replicates the formula of its hugely successful predecessor proving there isn’t such a thing as too much espionage tales.

With the exception of it’s original leading man Lee Byung-hun who is too busy battling G.I. Joes, IRIS: New Generation promises the same elements such as exotic locations, massive gunplay, fistfights and a run-of-the-mill plotting.

The gist of the story is that the North has planted nuclear bombs in the heart of Seoul and some extremists are plotting to detonate them to unify the people. The National Security Service (NSS) led by the brave Cpt Jung (Jang Hyuk from Dance of the Dragon) will risk their lives to stop the massacre. There’s an obligatory romance angle, which involves Jung and his fellow colleague Soo Yeon (Lee Da-hey), which is instantly forgettable the moment they left their bed.

Since this is a movie version in other words, a condensed feature of the 20 episodes series, expect shallow characterizations, jumpy cuts and absolutely sloppy continuation. But hey you can’t complain much because at the end of the day, you still get to enjoy the sights of Angkor Wat and Hungary; numerous gun fights along deserted roads and Jang Hyuk miraculously escaping death (several times I must add) to continue his mission. The most laughable part however comes right in the end as the screenwriters decide to opt for The Dark Knight Returns ending. Seriously?

The whole point of making IRIS: New Generation or IRIS 2 is strictly to bank-on the sellable name, every single plot element come as so predictable and monotonous that there’s no point explaining further. Unless you are a fan of the original and keen on more of the same old, I suggest you can skip this. 

SPECIAL FEATURES:

NIL

AUDIO/VISUAL:

Visual and Audio is respectable for the made-for-TV movie. 

MOVIE RATING:

DVD RATING :

Review by Linus Tee