The Tower

'The Towering Inferno' goes Korean - and it's freaking AWESOME!!
Completely by accident, I recently ran across - online, where else? - that last year a Korean version of 'The Towering Inferno' was a big hit in theaters. I freaked out; 'The Poseidon Adventure' and 'The Towering Inferno' are two of my favorites since childhood, I own the Special Edition DVDs and could watch either one (especially 'Poseidon') over and over again. Determined to see THE TOWER, I finally tracked down a copy. Not the best subtitles (and that's an understatement), but really focusing (and backing the film up a few times) they were do-able ... and good GOD, did I love this film!

Tower Sky is a set of twin luxury highrise towers right in the heart of the big city (I'm assuming Seoul), connected by a bridge about halfway up. It's Christmas Eve, and a swanky, huge White Party has been planned for the rich residents and various VIPs in the city ... and managing it all is Dae-ho, a single dad who wanted to spend Christmas Eve with his daughter Hana but has to...

Towering Excitement
I wrote a review of this movie in conjunction with an imported all region DVD release, and I just want to say that if anyone thinks about buying this, you're in for a treat. I predict, that in the future, this will become a favorite seasonal movie, as the story takes place on Christmas Eve. Spectacular production values and effects, edge of your seat suspense, some funny moments and likable characters,all add up to give this disaster movie a cut above the rest. I saw this in a theatre back in December 2012, and I couldn't wait to tell everybody about it who, like myself, love a good disaster movie. So grab your invitation, take the elevator up to the top level in the beautiful Sky Tower, and, as Margo Channing said, "Fasten your seatbelts-it's going to be a bumpy night !"

Disaster Film Updated for Modern Audiences
Some film genre never dies. A 2012 Korean movie "The Tower" ("Ta-weo") is a good example that proves the popularity of the genre of so-called disaster film. Directed by Ji-hoon Kim ("Sector 7"), the film follows the genre's template, with a collection of narrative threads and effect-ridden action sequences.

The story goes like this. On Christmas Eve a terrible accident happens at a 108-story Seoul residential high rise The Tower Sky. Occupants and staff trapped inside the building struggle to survive. Fire fighters attempt to rescue them. Characters, mostly likable ones, are played by an impressive ensemble cast, including Kyung-gu Sol, Ye-jin Son, Sang-kyung Kim and a veteran star Sung-kee Ahn.

This is more like a remake of "The Towering Inferno" made in 1974, with some of the memorable scenes from the disaster film classic updated for the modern audiences. The "Tower Sky" is a twin building that has a skybridge (like Petronas Towers in Malaysia). Those who have...

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