Man From Nowhere (2010)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Stuart B

  
  Easily one of the best films to have come out of Asia in the last few years. Makes "Taken" look like a kids movie. Action, blood, guns and a great storyline.

• Justin Y

  
  Jeong-beom Lee's <I>The Man from Nowhere</i> goes somewhere and turns out to be one solid Korean crime thriller.<p>Granted the plot's lack of originality, but that doesn't mean that this film is no good. The pace is slow at times and the initial setup… More
  Jeong-beom Lee's <I>The Man from Nowhere</i> goes somewhere and turns out to be one solid Korean crime thriller.<p>Granted the plot's lack of originality, but that doesn't mean that this film is no good. The pace is slow at times and the initial setup is quite long, which in turn contributes to a total run time that approaches two hours, but the film's final 40 minutes delivers with thrills and satisfaction.</p><p>The action isn't highly stylized, although it does get better and more enjoyable as the film progresses; thus leading to a finale that contains some high grade activity. When it comes to the violence, it is bloody and sufficient enough for an R rating.</p><p>Won Bin has a monotonous character; however, and while this still drags the film down a bit, it fits in with how he is written into the plot. The young Sae-ron Kim is a joy to watch, especially when in the presence of Won Bin.</p><p><i>The Man from Nowhere</i> succeeds in what it sets out to be; a solid picture out of Korea.</p>

• paul o

  
  I thought this was just amazing! It felt like Drive on steroids. The acting was solid and the story was just heart breaking at times. Some scenes feel like a sucker punch to the face since the stunts are just fantastic! Loved it and would watch it again!

• Albert K

  
  The first half has the grittiness and the typical yet engaging plot of a Korean gangster flick, but the second half completely falls apart. Not to mention, the movie follows all the cliches of a Korean gangster and drama movie. Also, the action scenes are deliberately taken from the… More
  The first half has the grittiness and the typical yet engaging plot of a Korean gangster flick, but the second half completely falls apart. Not to mention, the movie follows all the cliches of a Korean gangster and drama movie. Also, the action scenes are deliberately taken from the Bourne series. Entertaining but very disappointing.

• Lorenzo v

  
  <i>"I only live for today. I'll show you just how fucked up that can be."</i> A quiet pawnshop keeper with a violent past takes on a drug- and organ trafficking ring in hope of saving the child who is his only friend. <center><font size=+2… More
  <i>"I only live for today. I'll show you just how fucked up that can be."</i> A quiet pawnshop keeper with a violent past takes on a drug- and organ trafficking ring in hope of saving the child who is his only friend. <center><font size=+2 face="Century Schoolbook"><b><u>REVIEW</u></b></font></center> The Man from Nowhere isn't exactly the most original film ever, especially in its rather simple story, but where it's not necessarily that impressive in its story framework, it is loaded to the gills with great action sequences and enough suspenseful moments to provide a strong enough degree of visceral entertainment to make up for its faults. The story itself mimics a number of other action-oriented pursuit films: the professional killer and little girl setup of Leon (absent the girl for much of the film), the violent revenge action of A Bittersweet Life with less flash and the investigation of The Chaser, but with less bumbling and thrills. Ultimately, I'd say the film captures the melodramatic tone of Leon with a lot of blunt heartstring jerking moments. Although it's quite transparent that the film isn't working too hard to create much in terms of a story, I think that the skeletal story very effectively sets up the motivation for our badass to get into a number of brutal fights and even throws in a couple twists here and there (nothing big, but smart enough that they aren't obvious). It's not so dumb that you need to check your brain at the door, only your black-hearted cynicism for the melodrama. You may want to compare this with, or see shades of the film from the likes of Luc Besson's The Professional, Pierre Morel's Taken and Tony Scott's Man on Fire, with the common running theme of a highly skilled operative taking it upon himself to rescue someone they love from the clutches of devious villains, and executing a brand of vengeance without remorse as he ploughs through and single-handedly demolishes all who stand in his way. The Man From Nowhere is South Korea's answer to this sub-genre, and does so with aplomb both in providing that emotional punch to the highly choreographed set action pieces.

• Tsubaki S

  
  The man from nowhere could use a plot from somewhere else beyond clicheland. Mr Won Bin is a fine actor, and the movie has well made action pieces, but there are several problems with the script and feel of the movie. From the movie's obsession to present the lead character as… More
  The man from nowhere could use a plot from somewhere else beyond clicheland. Mr Won Bin is a fine actor, and the movie has well made action pieces, but there are several problems with the script and feel of the movie. From the movie's obsession to present the lead character as the most dangerous man who ever walked the planet, to useless characters like an obnoxious detective who adds nothing to the plot. The melo-cliches, and the movie trying a bit too hard at times to be like Leon, doesn't help either.. Because Won Bin is presented as this super effective killing machine the action sequences lack tension, he always destroys everything and everyone with no effort whatsoever. An ok time waster, nothing more.

• Cynthia S

  
  Fantastic movie!!! Intriguing, Dark. Gritty. Touching, Thrilling. Intense...and, of course, being a 'Revenge Flick'...Violent. Extremely well done. Great dialogue. I am adding this one to my all time favorites list! :)

• Jan Marc M

  
  The Man From Nowhere is a dark revenge film with a good dose of balanced violence and meritorious themes. Credible acting from Won Bin, who has proved to be an actor of top caliber much more than of good looks. Satisfaction guaranteed.

• Reid V

  
  Does anybody in South Korea smile? If they do, I certainly haven't seen it. In fact, the only glimpses I get of Seoul recently are very grim and uncompromising. I should at least be thankful that the recent slew of South Korean cinema is a cut above the rest of the world's… More
  Does anybody in South Korea smile? If they do, I certainly haven't seen it. In fact, the only glimpses I get of Seoul recently are very grim and uncompromising. I should at least be thankful that the recent slew of South Korean cinema is a cut above the rest of the world's fare. In this film, very much in the same vein as Man on Fire and Taken, an ex special agent uses his special training to save a little girl with whom he has a paternal connection with. The acting is for the most part solid, but the action scenes are very well constructed and are what really gives this film its spark. They are well shot, brutally realistic, and the director takes some rewarding chances. One in particular is when the main character leaps through a window and lands on the street below with the camera following him the entire time. What could have been gimmicky is pulled off rather smoothly here. In fact, I think that last sentence could be applied to the film as a whole.

• familiar s

  
  Falling in the veins of "Man on Fire" (which I haven't watched as yet having watched its Bollywood remake) and Taken, this one just didn't work for me. Besides the familiar plot, the action sequences weren't so cool either. Probably it's just me (since… More
  Falling in the veins of "Man on Fire" (which I haven't watched as yet having watched its Bollywood remake) and Taken, this one just didn't work for me. Besides the familiar plot, the action sequences weren't so cool either. Probably it's just me (since more than 80% Flixster Users have liked it) who also found it to be an intolerable drag after the first hour or so. And the ending was a bit too nonsensical to digest.

• Nicki M

  
  Korean films always seem to be pretty good, and this one is no exception. It follows the story of a mysterious guy who runs a pawn shop and keeps to himself. Some dark past/tragedy is hinted at but not revealed until later in the film. He lives next door to a neglected young girl,… More
  Korean films always seem to be pretty good, and this one is no exception. It follows the story of a mysterious guy who runs a pawn shop and keeps to himself. Some dark past/tragedy is hinted at but not revealed until later in the film. He lives next door to a neglected young girl, So-mi, who lives with her stripper/junkie mother. He and So-mi strike up a kind of friendship, both being outsiders, it kind of makes sense, and......................SPOILERS................. when the mother is killed, and So-mi is kidnapped, he tries to rescue her and take down the crims responsible. Those two, for me, were the highlight of the film, though some of their relationships seemed contrived for the story. The low point was the many, many other characters, some cops, some crims - I really found it hard to follow who was who and who was doing what. I also really hated the pretty boy baddie - seriously, he looked like he belonged in Zoolander, not this type of movie! I also found some of the fight scenes far fetched and dull, but I guess that's just a personal thing - I generally don't enjoy that type of thing in a movie. I couldn't say this was my favourite, but it is a pretty good movie for it's genre and I'm sure vastly better than the American remake will be if (when?) it comes out!

• Al S

  
  A sensational and dynamic action-thriller. A dark, dangerous and unrelentingly satisfying revenge movie that packs a wallop. It's stylish, riveting and extremely powerful and emotionally gripping. A deeply moving and explosive thrill-ride. It's Taken meets The Professional… More
  A sensational and dynamic action-thriller. A dark, dangerous and unrelentingly satisfying revenge movie that packs a wallop. It's stylish, riveting and extremely powerful and emotionally gripping. A deeply moving and explosive thrill-ride. It's Taken meets The Professional with the edge of Man On Fire. One unstoppable and unforgettable movie. The film delivers some well-done action sequences including a fantastic knife fight, which is one of the best scenes in the film and one of the best crafted action sequences this year. This movie grabs you and never lets go until the very end. It's heart-wrenching, devastating and action-packed. Won Bin is one the the next great Asian action stars and delivers an outstanding performance. This film rocks and kicks all kind of ass. An exhilarating and adrenaline-charged action ride.

• Lewis C

  
  "Even if I find So-mi, you two are still dead." Pretty cool movie. The Man from Nowhere is a South Korean action-thriller of similar type to Taken or the Bourne flicks. A dangerous man with a mysterious past gets caught up in a conflict with a group of criminals when a… More
  "Even if I find So-mi, you two are still dead." Pretty cool movie. The Man from Nowhere is a South Korean action-thriller of similar type to Taken or the Bourne flicks. A dangerous man with a mysterious past gets caught up in a conflict with a group of criminals when a lonely young girl he's befriended is taken by them. As he tracks her down we learn about his tragic past and see him put his deadly skills to use against some despicable lowlifes. The movie isn't perfect, there's a lengthy period before the action starts that perhaps goes on a little too long, and the dialogue (at least, the translated subtitles) is occasionally hammy and unintentionally hilarious. There are also a few too many blatant attempts to pull at the viewer's heartstrings and force you to get emotionally invested in the story. I always find that kind of thing to be a little annoying. So it's a little derivative and it has some definite pacing problems, but that doesn't stop The Man from Nowhere from being a movie worth checking out. At its best (pretty much the entire last act), it's an intense ride that fans of movies like Taken will thoroughly enjoy. Bin Won is believable and effective in the main role, and the tidy and sure to please ending is a nice bookend for all the carnage.

• Fascade F

  
  One seriously loooong devil may care..no holds barred...story of an anti-hero who decides to save the little girl whose drug addicted mother steals from the drug mob to support her drug addiction. Putting the little girl's life at stake is one thing that our anti-hero is not… More
  One seriously loooong devil may care..no holds barred...story of an anti-hero who decides to save the little girl whose drug addicted mother steals from the drug mob to support her drug addiction. Putting the little girl's life at stake is one thing that our anti-hero is not going to tolerate...eve if it means for him to go up against the mob and exterminating them all. How he attempts and execute that idea is so worth seeing. Check it out!

• Lesley N

  
  Korean gangster-turned-pawnboker attempts to save junkie neighbour's kidnapped daughter. Derivative plot but well made all the same. I prefer MAN ON FIRE though <img src="http://cdn.asianmoviepulse.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/gotya1.jpg">

• Daisy M

  
  The Man from Nowhere was not an original movie, it reminds me of Leon the Professional or Man on Fire, but where it was not necessarily that impressive in its story, it was loaded with great action sequences, very bloody scenes and enough suspenseful moments to provide a strong degree… More
  The Man from Nowhere was not an original movie, it reminds me of Leon the Professional or Man on Fire, but where it was not necessarily that impressive in its story, it was loaded with great action sequences, very bloody scenes and enough suspenseful moments to provide a strong degree of entertainment to make up for its flaws. Besides the melodrama, there were too many exaggerated gangster characters, which made it kind of confusing who was who.The action itself was quite good, very brutal, bloody and tense, and somehow it remained interesting, despite the fact that Wong Bing;s character was pretty much beating anyone's ass, he came across. Korean actor, Won Bin carried the movie pretty well although his character did not require a lot of acting, except for the fighting scenes. It was not a movie that aimed to show all elements of cinematic storytelling, but it was more concentrated for the action thriller genre. The story was simple and here and there it had its flaws but it held the logically and even provides a few unexpected twists.

• John M

  
  "The Man from Nowhere" is not exactly unique but it manages to create just the right dark, gloomy mood to match the story, all the characters are believable and the action sequences are very well done with some graphic violent. If you are looking for a very good action… More
  "The Man from Nowhere" is not exactly unique but it manages to create just the right dark, gloomy mood to match the story, all the characters are believable and the action sequences are very well done with some graphic violent. If you are looking for a very good action movie THIS MAN won't disappoint you!

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