Bogotá City of the Lost Falls Short

A new South Korean crime thriller, "Bogotá: City of the Lost", has recently gained popularity on Netflix, but despite its promising premise, the film has received mixed reviews from critics due to its lack of originality and character depth.

The movie tells the story of Kook-hee, a 19-year-old Korean man who moves to Bogotá, Colombia with his family and gets caught up in the criminal underworld. The film, directed by Kim Seong-je, has a unique tone that balances dark comedy and drama, but struggles to invest the audience emotionally. The story beats are familiar, with clashes between the mafia and the authorities, but with a satirical edge.

Despite a strong central performance from Song Joong-ki, the movie is held back by familiar genre tropes and lacks emotional depth. The characters are underdeveloped, leading to a predictable and unengaging experience. The film's visual approach is also disappointing, failing to immerse the viewer in the local atmosphere and underutilizing the city's cultural context.

The movie's tonal shifts between drama and dark comedy are jarring, detracting from the overall experience. Overall, "Bogotá: City of the Lost" fails to live up to its potential, promising much but delivering a familiar, albeit competently executed, crime story. If you're looking for a new crime thriller, this movie might be worth checking out, but it's not a must-watch.

In conclusion, while "Bogotá: City of the Lost" has its moments, it ultimately falls short of being a memorable and impactful film. With its predictable plot and underdeveloped characters, it's a movie that could be skipped in favor of more original and engaging content.