REVIEW: LOST IN STARLIGHT

4/5

Love On Mars

98 Mins. Starring: Kim Tae-ri, Hong Kyung, Kang Koo-han, Ahn Young-mi, Sharon Kwon, Yun A-yeong, David John Robbins & Jang Mi. Screenplay: Kang Hyun-joo & Han Ji-won. Director: Han Ji-won. On: Netflix.

By starlight, lost in translation, women aren't from Venus and men aren't from Mars, in this first Korean language animated film to stream on Netflix. Instead, 'Lost In Starlight', that could compete with many a Japanese anime, sees an astronaut head for Mars, whilst her earthbound love shoots for a different type of stars. With shades of everything from 'Your Name' to 'Total Recall' for you wholesale, this child of Philip K. Dick continues South Korea's absolute dominance of the entertainment industry. Not one month after the 'Worldwide Handsome' Jin became the latest member of BTS to arm up with a second record (the 'Echo' EP), and just a few weeks before Netflix will conclude one of their best and most successful shows of all-time, 'Squid Game' (it's going to be hard to top the Russian Roulette of that opening episode with 'Train To Busan' star Gong Yoo).

'Interstellar' inspired and reaching to the technology of today, from driverless cars to digital copies of the New York Times. Crash landing on you, this may be the best romantic fiction from Korea since the North met South. In a brave, and applied, new world where there is so much commercial content to 'Minority Report' swipe through, it can be hard to find love and life in a big and bright world where you can even walk through digital billboards. Yet just like 'Her', it's done with soul, in this new Seoul as 'Revenant' stars Kim Tae-ri and Hong Kyung reunite. A match made in the stars, as their charming chemistry is ever combustible. Especially in a romantic, racing moment in the streets, playful and reminding you of Matt Damon and Emily Blunt in 'The Adjustment Bureau', as another pair of star-crossed lovers with the odds stacked against their favour keep their distance. But when they do come together, it's a mesmerizing montage of 'La La Land' love and city beauty that truly takes you away to either your fondest memory, wildest dream...or maybe even both as one and the same.

Directed with digital decadence by Han Ji-won ('The Summer', 'The Sea On The Day When The Magic Returns'), off a script co-written with Kang Hyun-joo, 'Starlight' also stars Ahn Young-mi, Sharon Kwon, Yun A-yeong, David John Robbins and Jang Mi. Not to mention 'The Umbrella Academy's' very own Sparrow, Justin H. Min, in the English language version. Yet, all eyes are on Tae-ri and Kyung's central characters. Even in this legacy making and lasting landscape that will remain in the magic of your mind's eye. Seoul looking as familiar, and as much the future, that we are on the smart age precipice of. Like Brad Pitt in 'Ad Astra', Nan-young is an astronaut who wants to go to Mars like 'The Martian', after her mother never returned. Meanwhile, Jay is a former singer who now fixes retro equipment, still with a song in his back pocket. Together, they remind us of this movie's message that there is someone rooting for you in the universe. It's a beautiful dedication of togetherness, no matter what. Like these characters, and the cute recreations of their stills in promotional photographs by the two lead stars. No need to feel lost in this world, when these two stars shine a light on your love. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Crash Landing On You', 'Your Name', 'Blade Runner 2049'.