33/38
In the Footsteps of Beterang (2015)
Rookie detective Park Sun-woo and veteran Violent Crime Investigation Department detective Seo Do-cheol are on the hunt for a serial killer who is turning their world upside down. Ryoo Seung-wan’s follow-up to his 2015 action comedy Veteran is a high-octane crime thriller that reunites him with Hwang Jung-min and the all-star cast to predictably satisfying effect. The film centers on a team of old-school cops who often resort to violent techniques in their work.
But they get results, and their superiors trust them
Hwang reprises his role as Do-cheol, who is arguably the most skilled of the bunch. He’s a lot like Ma Dong-seok’s character in The Roundup, just a simple guy who knows his job and has his own methods, but now he’s not afraid to have some fun. and then.
He’s definitely stepped up his game since the Smugglers in the Middle
The team’s skills are put to the test when a serial killer makes an appearance in public and they’re awkwardly kept on the phone by some annoying streamers. He feels more confident directing intense action thrillers like this, peppering the proceedings with humor but not averse to darkening the tone when necessary. And that’s the case here too; I, the Executioner returns to The Unjust, which questions morality and tests the judgment of the desperate cop.
And I hope they do
The plot takes an interesting look at surveillance and how it can only be understood in public, but trusts the viewer to know better. To offset all the killing, the aforementioned bits of humor, which are happy to lighten the mood, fit in nicely. Plus, as with The Roundup series, there are plenty of excellent chases and visceral action scenes that culminate in a satisfying climax that feels well-earned.