Asura: The City of Madness

"Winningly over-the-top Korean gangster drama Asura: The City of Madness is what you'd get if you combined The Wire with a really good soap opera."

"Splattered with Korean aesthetics of troglodytic violence and blighted by irredeemable characters, Kim Sung-soo's Asura: The City of Madness is a stygian crime thriller that casts a jaundiced eye at South Korean regional politics."

"Some may balk at the excessive violence, more for its repetition than goriness ... but in the performance and styptic departments, Asura is never less than entertaining."

"As the suspense slackens and blood starts spilling nearly to the point of self-parody, it almost seems designed as a test of mettle - for both the filmmakers and the audience."

"There are a number of impressive action set pieces to be had here, including one of the more hellacious car chases to hit the screen in a while."

"Though the plot’s too convoluted, the relentless pace and pungent atmosphere elevate the film above the typical grim crime stories soaked in blood and despair."