Bear Man

Park Sung-woong is dazzling in two roles — as an embarrassingly goofy bear cub/man-child and a steely, well-dressed hit man — in this boisterous comedy, which manages to tickle the funny bone as well as hit all the right emotional notes concerning family, friendship, and professionalism. If you imagine you know where it’s all heading, don’t be surprised when veteran TV comedian Park Sung-kwang pulls a few tricks out of his sleeve… and keeps on pulling. This is high concept at its dizziest, with a multilayered abundance of absurdities, some impressive assassin training sequences, and several thoroughly unexpected cameos. Supposedly based on the Danggun myth that bears become human after eating garlic and mugwort, it all begins when twin cubs who are managed by the Pro-North Korean Institute of Technology disappear one day. What happens next takes place in overdrive, but it’s hilarious as well as heartwarming. The joie de vivre even extends to the end credits, so don’t leave the theater!