Husbands in Action

Story: Ma Do-joon (Kim Ji-suk) and his wife Hye-ran (Lee Da-hee) run a large-scale online drug trafficking operation. Hye-ran developed an AI named Nabi to handle all orders, effectively eliminating all competition. Kim Yong-gang (Yoon Kyung-ho) learns this the hard way after being released from prison following a ten-year stint; his gang has dwindled to just a handful of men, and their drug trade has been completely taken over by the AI. Meanwhile, Detective Hwang Choong-sik (Jin Sun-kyu) is hot on Do-joon’s trail and eventually succeeds in putting him behind bars. Afterward, he attends a school play where his daughter (Oh Eun-seo) is supposed to perform. Her new father, Lee Min-seok (Gong Myung), is also present. The detective and Si-nae (Kang Han-na) divorced some time ago. His ex-wife is on her way to the performance with their daughter when Choong-sik receives a call. Hye-ran has had the two of them kidnapped and demands that the detective hand over Do-joon in exchange for their release. Choong-sik must now somehow try to get the drug dealer out of prison, all while contending with Min-seok, who is also determined to save his wife and daughter. However, Yong-gang, intent on eliminating his rival, accidentally gets involved in the attempt to free the criminal. Chaos ensues, yet Choong-sik and Min-seok stop at nothing to save their families...

Review: The trailer leaves no doubt that this is a buddy comedy, one that perhaps occasionally goes a bit overboard and veers into slapstick territory. At least, that was my biggest fear, and it seemed to be confirmed during the opening minutes. The cheerful soundtrack, reminiscent of a heist movie, contributes to this impression. Fortunately, the film moves past that phase quite quickly and gradually finds its true rhythm and tone - and it’s a tone that really works. As the story unfolds, there are even moments where "Husbands in Action" manages to stand out positively from the genre's countless similar offerings. The characters, in particular, bring a great dynamic to the proceedings. The humor is surprisingly effective, too, prompting the occasional genuine laugh-out-loud moment. I also appreciated the extra effort put into the action sequences - more than was strictly necessary - though I wouldn't have minded seeing even more of them. Ultimately, of course, the film never loses sight of the fact that it is, first and foremost, a comedy.

I might have approached the film with higher expectations had I known it was directed by Park Gyoo-tae, who had already impressed me with the comedy "6/45". "Husbands in Action" channels a similar energy, even if things do get a bit more chaotic. This is particularly evident in the storyline, which never stands still; it features a multitude of characters whose paths constantly cross and even delivers a few surprises, though some are certainly easy to spot. The film’s greatest strengths are its energy and its cast, as the actors are clearly having a blast in their roles. Jin Sun-kyu ("Confidential Assignment 2"), usually seen in supporting roles, takes center stage here, skillfully carrying the film for its 110-minute runtime as a highly likable protagonist. His character is a brilliant detective, so good that his superior harbors almost romantic feelings for him. Yet he is far less lucky in his personal life. Naturally, his ex-wife’s new husband ought to be a source of resentment for him. However, the story takes a different path.

At first, you might encounter the same competitive bickering between the two husbands seen in similar films, but the dynamic soon shifts; even if neither voices it immediately, the two realize they actually quite like each other. While the comedy doesn't break new ground at this stage, it gains fresh momentum, and the humor stops relying solely on the pair trying to outdo one another - though, naturally, there are still a few amusing gags along those lines. The new husband, played by Gong Myung ("Love Untangled"), is an extreme sports enthusiast and a competitive racer. Although he certainly proves his mettle in this regard, the occasional slip-up elicits a smile and, of course, leads to further chaos. It was a smart move to make the detective the actual fighter, someone who can punch his way out of most predicaments, while Husband No. 2 tends to overcome obstacles using his own unique talents. This pays off particularly well in the finale, allowing room for some innovative ideas.

It is also surprising that, at a certain point, "Husbands in Action" seems to shift its focus from a duo to a trio. Due to unfolding events, one of the villains, Do-joon, joins the other two, forcing them to work together. Yet, more could have been made of this dynamic; ultimately, it serves as little more than a brief interlude, and the chemistry between the three doesn't quite spark the way it does with the original duo. In general, Do-joon feels somewhat underdeveloped, despite a flashback revealing the origins of his relationship with Hye-ran. Although the gangster Yong-gang receives less screen time, or at least it seems like he does, he leaves a more lasting impression. This is partly because he emerges from prison feeling utterly disoriented. The world has changed drastically thanks to AI, yet he remains the archetypal tough-guy gangster boss, a figure who simply feels out of step with the times. The few henchmen he has left would walk through fire for him, but they despair at how little their boss understands of the modern world. Through him, gangster clichés are deconstructed, and the story benefits from some genuine laughs. Though, unfortunately, a few jokes get lost in translation.

Despite all the chaos, one cannot help but notice some glaring flaws in the script. It starts with overly convenient coincidences and extends to moments where our heroes chase after an escaping villain, completely forgetting that he is wearing a remote-controlled collar capable of delivering electric shocks. Then there are the women. While it is nice that they haven't been completely sidelined, as is often the case in films like this, only Hye-ran (portrayed as an incredibly intelligent woman) and the tough reporter leave a lasting impression. The wife, in particular, ought to be a significant character, yet she gets completely lost in the overcrowded screenplay. There is certainly plenty to criticize, but the pacing and action ultimately deliver the goods. On top of that, some of the jokes actually land, something that, amusingly enough, isn't always the case in comedies. "Husbands in Action" is one of those movies where — partly due to the lively soundtrack — I didn't expect much; I switched off my brain and ended up having a great time. Sadly, the epilogue goes a bit overboard and veers into cheesiness, but as mentioned, these moments are limited, and the film offers a surprising amount of quality.

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