The Roundup: No Way Out is a 2023 South Korean action crime film in which Ma Seok-do joins a new squad to investigate a murder case. It is the third instalment of the Crime City series and is also the sequel to The Outlaws (2017) and The Roundup (2022).
Directed by Lee Sang-yong from a screenplay written by Kim Min-sung. Produced by Ma Dong-seok and Jang Won-seok.
The BA Entertainment-Big Punch Pictures-Hong Film co-production stars Ma Dong-seok aka Don Lee, Lee Jun-hyuk, Munetaka Aoki and Min Kim Min Kim.
Plot synopsis [contains spoilers]:
Detective Ma Seok-do and his team are promoted to the Metropolitian Investigation Unit where they investigate the death of a woman named Go Sun-hee and check from the autopsy report that Sun-hee had been taking a drug called “Hiper”. Ma goes to the nightclub and interrogates the president where they learn about a yakuza member named Hiroshi supplying Hiper from Incheon in the club. Ma’s colleagues manage to capture Hiro and seize 20 kilos of Hiper, but a corrupt cop named Joo Sung-chul steals Hiper and kills Hiroshi, but Ma’s team survives.
Sung-chul is actually protecting a syndicate called White Shark Clan and had stolen Hiper for the White Shark to make profits. Learning that the White Shark has stolen Hiper, the yakuza hires a hitman named Ricky to seize back Hiper. Ma learns about another drug supplier named Tomo and tries to arrest him, but Ricky kills Tomo and escapes, which ensues a drug war between Ricky and Sung-chul. Ma goes to the boat yacht from a clue and finds Hiper and sets a deal with Sung-chul with a help of an acquaintance Cho Rong-i.
However, Sung-chul changes his plan and makes a deal with Ricky. Ma gets captured and taken away by Ricky, while Sung-chul steals the Hiper. Ricky interrogates Ma, who later fights back and defeats Ricky. With the help of a tracker placed in the bag, Ma tracks down Sung-chul at his office. The police arrest Sung-chul and the yakuza organization, while Ma and his team celebrate winning the case…
Reviews:
“With No Way Out, Detective Ma has fully replaced the Lethal Weapon series as the kind of cop story that made my heart skip a beat, knowing that there would be even balance of drama, action, and comedy so that one never really knows how things are going to progress on the first one, while also being super fun on repeat viewings.” 4 out of 5, Elements of Madness
“Despite all the bodies Ma sends flying, he and his team are not supermen. They all get banged up pretty good, but obviously, it takes an awful lot to stop Ma. Like the two previous outings, The Roundup: No Way Out is just a ton of fun. It should cement Don Lee’s reputation as the biggest action star of the last five years. Seriously, just look at him and watch. Very highly recommended for action fans…” J.B. Spins
” …offers a familiar yet slightly smoother and slicker experience. Don Lee’s captivating performance and the film’s entertaining moments, along with its signature mannerisms and poses, provide enough entertainment for fans. While it may not satisfy everyone’s tastes, it certainly delivers on the expectations of those who appreciate Lee’s charismatic presence.” 3 out of 5, The Muse Ville
“The raw, judo-flavored action that characterized previous chapters gives way to a more boxing-oriented approach, offering a fresh perspective on Ma’s legendary fight scenes […] Lee’s representation of his character is dead on, an over-the-top but commanding screen presence, vs. Ma’s extraordinary blend of brute strength, charisma, and steadfast determination craft an engaging movie-watching experience.” 3 out of 5, Overly Honest Movie Reviews
” …Kim Min-sung has written a film that’s more of a police procedural than the previous two instalments and has considerably less in the way of action setpieces of the first two films. And while there’s nothing wrong with police procedurals, Detective Ma Seok-do is not a character suited to them.” 3 out of 5, Voices from the Balcony
Trailer:
Original title:
범죄도시3 aka 犯罪都市3 “Crime City 3”
Technical specs:
1 hour 45 minutes
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
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