English Title: Mission: Cross
Korean Title: 크로스
Director(s): Lee Myeong-hun
Screenwriter(s): Lee Myeong-hun
Studio: Plus M, OBRA Creative, Sanai Pictures
Released: 2024
Runtime: 1h 40m
Starring: Hwang Jung-min, Yeom Jung-ah, Jeon Hye-jin, Kim Joo-heon
My Verdict: Simple action-comedy. Nicely executed and entertaining.
● Park Kang-moo (Hwang Jung-min) and Kang Mi-sun (Yeom Jung-ah) are a middle-aged married couple. Kang-moo is the super-capable househusband whilst Mi-sun is a veteran detective who likes using the stun knuckle.
● One day, Kang-moo recognizes a woman being chased and intervenes to help her. She is Jang Hee-joo (Jeon Hye-jin), a former colleague from his secret agent/special forces days. Meanwhile, Mi-sun investigates an attempted murder of a young woman who is obviously into something deep. The plot follows the married couple as their respective investigations get more complicated whilst Mi-sun is trying to work out if Kang-moo is having an affair with Hee-joo.
● The premise is obviously a deliberate play with what is considered the norm. What makes it refreshing is that it is not being woke, it’s just being funny by playing with some aspects without, on balance, being unnatural. For example, Kang-moo is the doting househusband but he is no walkover loser. Mi-sun is a veteran detective with a certain cynicism but she’s not merely a man in a woman’s body. The writer knows how to play with the irony of the situation.
● The other obvious point is that the two leads are not two overtly attractive young people but two ordinary middle-aged folks. Despite the nature of their jobs, past and present, Kang-moo and Mi-sun are presented as a mostly wholesome couple.
● As Mi-sun finds out from her colleagues that Kang-moo might be having an affair, she actually gives her husband the benefit of the doubt. It is only later that a woman’s jealousy comes through without her losing her usual edginess. It’s good to see that gradual and natural transition.
● The main weakness in plotting is that it is initially unclear how much Mi-sun knows about Kang-moo’s military past. The “failed mission” pertinent to the plot occurred in recent years. At their age, it is possible they have been married for a long time so there are two aspects in question: whether he served during their marriage and whether she knows he was in the military even though she does not know specifics. Knowing what Mi-sun knows obviously contributes to the mood and comedy, and this is something that needs to be established clearly.
● Other than that problem, the plotting is otherwise measured and steady. It does not hurry into the action. It takes time to establish the mystery regarding the crimes and gives the viewer a chance to get to know the characters. Given the relatively simple premise of “present crime is related to unresolved crimes and failed mission of the past”, the plotting can be a bit tighter but there is nothing grossly wrong.
● Some would argue it is too predictable. It can certainly be more complex but it is meant to be a straightforward action-comedy.
● The cinematography and editing are generally well-executed. It is conventional, nothing fancy. The palette and lighting are nice, giving solid colors but not too vivid. It could be stylized more but it is in the spirit of the film that it is not.
● The comedy obviously plays with Mi-sun’s ignorance of the situation and a few coincidences along the way. It somewhat reminds one of True Lies (1994) although I am not suggesting this film is like it. I think True Lies is funnier and the plotting, the comedy and the action are more clever.
● That being said, Mission: Cross arguably conveys the theme of loyalty and trust a bit better. It does not explore the theme in-depth, nor does one expect it given the genre, but the theme is clearly there.
● On balance, it is a solid action-comedy even if it is nothing special. Compared to today’s films, one might consider it a work of genius. The plot can be more complex and it can use more black comedy but it is still entertaining.
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