On October 26, 1979, President Park Chung-hee, who had ruled South Korea since 1961, was assassinated by his director of intelligence. The film depicts the events of that night.
Im Sang Soo is, film by film, challenging the way modern South Koreans think and behave.
– G. Allen Johnson,
San Francisco Chronicle,
18 Nov 2005
fresh:
This meticulously well-made picture is disarmingly funny at times ... but also subdued and straight-faced, with one eye planted on 1979 and the other on the violent student demonstrations looming in the distance.
– Scott Foundas,
L.A. Weekly,
23 Nov 2005
fresh:
Although a tad long-winded and plodding, it's vigorously acted and persuasive, leaving the viewer to suspect that Im's account, drawn from historical records, could be pretty close to the truth.
– Kevin Thomas,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Nov 2005
fresh:
The President's Last Bang comes off as all too ridiculously believable.
– Ted Fry,
Seattle Times,
9 Dec 2005
fresh:
what the film lacks in depth it makes up for in Hong Kong-style punch, with vivid cinematography and powerfully choreographed action.