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There are a number of tightropes to walk when making a family-friendly action/fantasy movie. You have to make it exciting enough to keep everyone involved without getting so intense that you risk traumatizing the younger kids. You have to balance the supernatural with the relatable. Most importantly, you have to find just the right tone, neither taking things too seriously nor letting them devolve into slapstick. The 2009 South Korean film Woochi: The Demon Slayer moves slickly between these extremes with a wink.
Beginning in the 1500s, mischievous and lighthearted Tao Master (a kind of wizard/martial artist) Jeon Woo-chi is drawn into an ancient battle between a group of animal-like demons and a trio of immortal monks. When things go badly, Woo-chi and his servant, a shape-shifting dog, find themselves framed for murder and imprisoned in a magic painting. Five hundred years later, a released Woo-chi must navigate modern Seoul and help the monks end the demon threat once and for all.
With all that supernatural silliness, Woochi: The Demon Slayer rises on a light touch and an enjoyable mix of old-fashioned wire stunt work and special effects action. Gang Dong-Won handles both the charisma and stunt work well as Woo-chi, and his easygoing manner earns the film a lot of its charm. The rest of the cast plays things a bit more broadly—especially Yoo Hae-Jin as Woochi’s dog/manservant—but never quite to the point where it breaks the flow of the story.
Where the humor occasionally misses a step, the action makes up for it. Since it’s a fantasy story, the filmmakers rely heavily on special effects—and, most of the time, they work well. The CGI demons aren’t always convincing, but they’re wisely used only sparingly. Most of the effects are used as smaller flourishes to demonstrate Woochi’s magic, and these tend to be smooth and convincing—an excellent addition to the abundant martial arts wire work. Veteran fight coordinator Doo-hong Jung frequently puts together some slick action, and the high production values only accentuate it further.
It all shows beautifully on Shout! Factory’s new Blu-ray edition, which includes a pretty decent English dub track, as well as a subtitled version. For those looking for a bit extra, there’s a nice selection of special features, ranging from interviews with cast and crew to deleted scenes and special effects featurettes. Best of all, there’s a ton of behind-the-scenes footage. For a movie so preoccupied with magic, it’s always a treat to peek behind the curtain.
Woochi: The Demon Slayer won’t appeal to everyone, of course. It’ll be a bit too goofy for some and a bit too action-heavy for others. But for anyone looking for an enjoyable adventure flick that doesn’t take itself too seriously, it strikes just the right balance.
