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Reviews
Gogo chilship (2008)
High energy fun with a old message
I picked this movie to see totally at random. I was perusing the list of films in the Asian Film Festival and thought, hmm..70s..music...this one sounds fun! It's true, the characters were not fully developed, but it wasn't about the people in the band. It was about the band, the authority they subverted, and their affect on the young people. Yes, it's an old story, the powers that be attempt to stop the "those kids and their crazy music" (which in this case could lead to the takeover of South Korea by Communism), and as such, it's timeless. Although the music is some sort of soul/R&R, I found the band's energy and attitude more reminiscent of the dawn of punk rock.
I couldn't help but feel sorry for the audience as The Devils made their debut in Seoul, as they sat there quietly, not having a clue what to make of them. Enter Mimi (the luminous and occasionally pouty Sin Min-ah) with her costumes and dance moves, and the public becomes mesmerized.
I thought the film took a turn for the worse with the obligatory band member death followed by the brutal treatment of the police in its attempts to end this youthful exuberance by grabbing the "long-hairs" and jailing them. But it just serves to unite the disintegrating band against a common enemy.
This movie is not just about a band. It's about the eternal struggle of youth versus authority. The music is fun, musician turned actor Cha Seung-woo is a stand-out. With the exception of Mimi, none of the characters were particularly likable, but I still had no trouble rooting for The Devils' fight, and for the kids of Seoul who escaped to their music every late night. The reunion show is a fantastic climax.
And, of course, you can't forget the three beautiful Go-Go dancers, they just add to the energy of the film.