Summary
The director of Oldboy explains why the protagonist chooses to use a hammer as a weapon, highlighting his resourcefulness and strange optimism.
Oldboy's iconic hallway fight scene and the incorporation of a hammer as a weapon have elevated the film's status, making it both unforgettable and groundbreaking in its portrayal of intense combat.
By selecting a humble hammer as the protagonist's tool of choice, the film effectively captures the raw and personal essence of the story, further enhancing its gritty realism and increasing the audience's ability to connect with the main character.
Director Park Chan-wook, the mastermind behind the original Oldboy, is prepared to unveil the reasons behind the film's ingenious hammer as a formidable weapon. Oldboy, released in 2003, is an electrifying South Korean action movie featuring Choi Min-sik as the protagonist, Oh Dae-su. Imprisoned for an unexpected 15-year period, Oh Dae-su is ultimately set free, dedicating himself to seeking retribution against his captors. Stripped of conventional revenge tools, he resorts to a hammer as his distinctive weapon of choice.
During an interview with Vanity Fair, Park delves into the rationale behind his decision to depict Oh Dae-su wielding a hammer against his adversaries. Park highlights the fact that Oh Dae-su never actively desired to utilize a hammer, but rather gravitated towards it because it was readily available. This, according to Park, sets Oldboy apart by introducing an unconventional weapon rarely seen in other revenge films. Refer to Park's quote below for further insight.
The action scene featuring
Why Oldboy's Hammer Worked So Well
is not based on personal preference, but rather serves to showcase his unwavering confidence and a relentless mindset, where he appears unfazed by any circumstances. In a departure from the typical revenge genre, where characters often assemble an arsenal of weapons,Why Oldboy's Hammer Worked So Well
deviates from convention. Instead of meticulously selecting weapons from a bag, he improvises, seizing whatever is at his disposal. This particular scene aims to demonstrate the sheer force and impact of his chosen tool. He ruthlessly strikes his opponent's foot, evoking a tangible sensation of agony for the audience.
The movie Oldboy is widely recognized as a disturbing masterpiece, compelling viewers with its shocking plot twist that adds tragedy and subversion to the overall narrative. One particular scene, set in a hallway, revolutionized the filmmaking industry by introducing innovative methods to depict intense and gritty battles. Armed only with a hammer and driven by an unwavering desire for revenge, Oh Dae-su bravely confronts a horde of adversaries, miraculously managing to survive. This hammer has since become the most iconic symbol of the unforgettable Oldboy.
The hallway fight in Oldboy carries a deeper meaning, just as the hammer itself reveals the true nature of Oh Dae-su's character. Instead of searching for more practical weapons, he relies on what is readily accessible to him. This choice ultimately leads to his horrifying actions when he seeks to kill Lee Woo-jin. Similar to his previous approach, Oh Dae-su again avoids searching for a practical tool and instead relies on a weapon within arm's reach, resulting in truly shocking consequences.
The hammer in Oldboy also symbolizes the movie's focus on personal stakes rather than global events. It is a deeply intimate journey that centers around Oh Dae-su's life. The inclusion of a gun or sword would introduce an element of surrealism that detracts from the gritty realism of the crime thriller. By utilizing a common tool found in any toolbox, Oldboy achieves a powerful impact and an honest portrayal. Just as anyone can possess a hammer, any viewer could identify with Oh Dae-su's journey.
Source: Vanity Fair
