Since few weeks ago, I saw the promotion from Cinemaxx cinema chain about this Korean movie coming soon in Indonesian theaters. It was sequel to Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds that was released in early 2018. Since my wife and I did not see that movie (we could not remember exactly the reason why), we watched it first through online streaming and we were so affected by it that we knew the sequel is a must see movie. Today, as we did not have any major plans, we have set the time to see it at 3.50 PM show at Plaza Semanggi. Here is more on the movie.
Brief Story Line
Set exactly after the events of the first movie, the three grim reapers led by the calm & serious Gang-rim (Ha Jung-woo - The Tunnel, Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time etc) with his two assistants, the playful Haewonmak (Ju Ji-hoon - Princess Hours TV series, Asura: The City of Madness etc) plus the passionate & young Lee Deok-choon (Kim Hyang-gi - Snowy Road, The Queen's Classroom TV series etc) had to assist the trials of newly deceased Kim Su-hong (Kim Dong-wook - The Concubine TV series). This would be the 49th soul Gang-rim's team would help in the 1000 years of their time being grim reapers, which would enable them to reincarnate. Hence the pressure was very high for them to achieve it.
However, it was not as easy as it would be since they were given additional assignment to claim the soul of a person who seemed to be protected by the God of House Sung-Ju (Ma Dong-seok - Train to Busan, Derailed etc). Things also became a bit complicated as Sung-Ju seemed to know a lot about Haweonmak and Deok-choon's past. So could they all complete their final "assignment" and be reincarnated? Find them all in this amazing & wonderful story.
End of Brief Story Line
OK, so after seeing Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds which was very very emotional and wonderful, I really could not wait to see what would be in store in this second movie. And it was totally not disappointing. The movie was more like a journey for everyone and it had one of the most surprising climax I had experienced. I thought having watched so many movies with surprising twists would enable me to get the hint or guessed it, but this movie was still able to quite blow my mind.
This film was absolutely thrilling and uniquely done with a lot more complexity compared to the first movie. While the predecessor's story was quite straight forward with the trials of the soul being the main plot plus additional sub-plot in the form of Su-hong's story, this one was having 2 main plots shown together with almost equal screen time in the living world and the afterlife. Just like in the first movie, this one had quite numerous action sequence nicely done with the help of good special effects from the CG team. I was really grateful that the studio where I saw this movie was having a good sound system that provided me with realistic sound of the fights and other more action-ish scenes. Even having 141 minutes of duration did not seem too long for this great movie.
The acting of all the main actors & actress here were absolutely wonderful. I loved the characterization of the 3 grim reapers (especially Ju Ji-hoon, but my wife's favorite was Ha Jung-woo), and I also loved the character Sung-ju. The one character that I did not like was Kim Su-hong simply because I felt he was not a soul worth the efforts of the reapers (but I have no objection on the actor himself). Unlike the first movie which was full of emotional moments with a finale that I believed would be able to touch the heart of all audience, this one had a different kind of emotional moment. It was touching but I personally felt that The Two Worlds was a lot more sentimental (I could sense it when my wife was not as affected as in the first movie). This one also having more lighter & comedic moments usually involving Ju Ji-hoon.
The Two Worlds and The Last 49 Days were actually 2 movies that were made simultaneously but released at different time. I think these 2 movies were better said as part 1 and part 2 because of its direct continuity. Even glimpses of this movie could be seen in the scene towards the end of the first movie. During the early part of ending scene of this film, there was a scene that should not be missed out on. And I think being such successful movies (The Two Worlds ended up being the second most viewed movie in South Korea history) while this one already hitting the top 20 and counting, there might be possibilities of having further sequels. The director of these 2 movies Kim Yong-hwa (previously directed 200 Pounds Beauty, Mr. Go etc) was certainly instrumental in making them so great.
If people asked me which movie was better between these two, I would say that both were equally great in different ways. But if you like more drama, I guess The Two Worlds might be more to your liking, while if you prefer a little bit of mystery, combined with drama & some surprising scenes with quite numerous court scenes, then this one would be more satisfying. The choice is yours.
Happy watching!
Mike's movie moments rating: 4 out of 5 stars
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