Oscar Optimization 2020 (#1 of 9) – Parasite (2019) – Encore Review

Since it’s been nearly a while since I watched most of the Oscar Best Picture Nominated movies, I decided to rewatch all 9 of them and reevaluate my thoughts on these films. I am rewatching them in no particular order. Here are my Optimized thoughts on Parasite (2019) :
“If I had all this I would be kinder.” – Chung-sook

Number of Times Seen – 2 (20 Dec 2019 and 1 Feb 2020)

Link to original review – Here

Brief Synopsis – A family living in the slums of Korea think up a scheme to raise their social level.

My Take on it – Going in to February, this was my least favorite of the 9 nominated films for Best Picture at the Oscars this year.

The fact that so many people were enamored with this film was actually the impetus for me doing this series because I wanted the opportunity to re-evaluate all of these films before the big night next week.

I was actually shocked as to how much I enjoyed this film so much more on the second outing than I did during my first viewing nearly six weeks ago.

The premise of the film is quite an intriguing one especially when you have no idea which directions things will go.

They find a way to keep things quite thrilling and suspenseful the whole way through and that largely has to do with the various twists and turns along the way which take things in some very unexpected directions.

The story is all about the differences between the classes, but the message is that there truly isn’t much of a difference between the people themselves, just the way one looks at them due to their perceived social status.

The film develops these characters really well and we get a very deep understanding as to who each of these characters are and what they want out of life even when they are placed in situations and places where they might feel they are stuck.

This is a film that is quite deserving of its 6 Oscar nominations.

This film is the odds on favorite (by a long shot) of taking home an Oscar for Best International Film.

The only other category which it seems to be in the lead pack for is Best Picture and that in and of itself will help make this year ceremony one to watch up until the very last envelope is opened at the end of the night.

I will be slightly disappointed if this film wins but that isn’t because I don’t think this is a great film, but rather, I don’t think it was the very best of the year even though it is definitely not far behind.

Bottom Line – Great premise that somehow manages to stay so thrilling and suspenseful the whole way through due to the way that things play out. The story is built up really well and we get to see how different the upper and lower classes of society may seem to be, but that it all is largely due to perspective on things and not wholly on reality of the situations. The characters are developed really well and allow us to get a real understanding of who they are and where they want to be despite life placing them where they are. Definitely deserving of its 6 Oscar nominations and will most definitely go home with the award for Best International Feature. Any of the other awards are still up for grans even though it has widely been discussed in the Best Picture category also since it seems to have a high chance there too. Highly Recommended!

Oscar Best Picture Worthy? – Most definitely! This is a great story that is filled with some really fascinating twists and turns along the way and is among the best films of the year.

MovieRob’s Favorite Trivia – Ki-woo’s job, at-home tutor, was chosen because director Bong Joon Ho realized that sadly the job is the only way that families from two extreme ends of the class spectrum in modern-day South Korea can cross their paths convincingly in the story arc. (From IMDB)

Rating – Oscar Worthy (9/10) (upgrade from original review)