By Martin Unsworth
Some of the worst criminals ever are being shipped from the Philippines to South Korea, but, despite the high security, a breakout is planned. Once the inmates are loose, they attempt to seize control of the ship. What they encounter, however, is much more terrifying and violent than any of the convicts could ever be.
Written and directed by Hongsun Kim, Project Wolf Hunting is a crimson-soaked action film that will delight audiences raised on the likes of Ichi the Killer and Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky. What begins as a simple prison break film (think Con-Air but on a cargo ship) soon becomes a bloody, head-stomping monster movie. It turns out that the Korean authorities are also transporting a human fighting machine developed years ago, which is a hulking, unstoppable force, its eyes stapled shut and hellbent on destruction. Flashbacks fill us in on this, giving us a slight breather from the relentless killing.
No one is safe in Kim’s film, and the survivors soon have to work together to attempt to beat the beast. The primary hardened, tattooed thug, played by Seo In-guk, is set up initially as the big bad but he’s soon cut down to size. The story thunders along at a breathless pace once the prisoners free themselves (with a little help from the inside), and once the blood starts flowing, it rarely stops.
Project Wolf Hunting would be a fun, violent romp even without the monster. That added extra makes it a gloriously over-the-top spectacle of gore and showers of blood. Despite the schlock, it’s skilfully choreographed and builds up a surprisingly engrossing atmosphere. If that sounds like your bag, then don’t miss it.
Project Wolf Hunting is available to stream on Icon Channel and in limited cinemas from March 3rd.
