Set in 1930s Manchuria, three rival Korean adventurers vie with each other for possession of a treasure map promising vast fortune. And that, in fact, is all you need to remember in a plot full of twists and turns, involving many other factions in the chase including local criminal organisations, the Japanese Army and Chinese Nationalist splinter groups Simply sit back and enjoy the spectacular pace, thrilling action and fun.

Leading director of modern Korean cinema, noted for its verve and diversity, Kim delivers a cracking action film. Having proved his skill in a number of other genres including psychological thriller, comedy and horror, Kim here takes the Hollywood Western and reminds us what Hollywood seems to have forgotten. His use of powerful Western imagery such as the man in the greatcoat with a gun, the use of open space and desert sky, stunts without CGI, shows an understanding and true appreciation of the genre.

Kim also brings together Korea’s finest, most popular actors in the three lead roles and their talents and his direction allow surprising emotional depth, which give meaning to character reversals and motivations. Obviously inspired by Sergio Leone’s Westerns, Kim merely returns a favour by reimagining Leones best film, as some of Leone’s Westerns borrowed plots and ideas from Kurosawa’s samurai films. Dubbed by western reviewers a spaghetti eastern, in the east The Good The Bad The Weird is called a kimchi western giving a nod to its nationality, dynamism and spice.

The combination of all three characters makes a terrific dynamic for action, comedy and adventure, but then that’s to be expected since its precisely that which makes Leones original a timeless classic. What is surprising is that it takes a Korean filmmaker to recognise these essential qualities and find a way to make them work in a modern cinema context. Noel Megahey, DVD Times

Every last aspect of the film is dedicated to making the most of this heady showcase of glorious excess. William Goss, efilmcritic.com

Kim’s colourful and stylish direction makes the most of the epic desert vistas and local costumes, as well as giving the action an exhilarating sense of danger the film makes for supremely enjoyable viewing. James Mudge, beyondhollywood.com

Its exciting, funny, thrilling, and as entertaining as hell and proves, if proof be needed, that genre knows no borders. Anton Bitel, Eye For Film