Is Great Ambition Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1987)

The Narrative Arc & Core Premise

Debuting in 1987, Great Ambition represents a sophisticated intersection of artistic ambition and genre-defining elements within the Action, Mystery category. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into Min-woo (played by Jeon Yeong-rok), who came to Hong Kong for business, has his bag stolen at the airport. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of Action, Mystery are tested.

The screenplay takes its time to establish the stakes, ensuring that every character motivation is grounded in a psychological reality. The synopsis only hints at the depth: "Min-woo (played by Jeon Yeong-rok), who came to Hong Kong for business, has his bag stolen at the airport. And after the suspicious death of his friend Ho-jin, Min-woo is treated as a mentally ill person and is confined to a hotel. With the help of the branch manager's secretary, Miss Ho, he is confined to the hotel. With the help of the branch manager's secretary, Miss Ho, he challenges the suspicions about Ho-jin's death with the help of a beautiful Chinese woman named Hyang-ri. After Miss Ho is found dead, Min-woo confirms that Hyang-ri's dead lover, James, is the same person as Ho-jin. Min-woo, who was caught by the villain Chen while trying to save Hyang-ri's female soldier and drowned in the sea, is rescued and Ho-jin's body is recovered from the sea. It is finally revealed that CEO Jin was jealous of Ho-jin and Hyang-ri and had Chen kill Ho-jin. He chases CEO Jin as he runs away and destroys him. When Min-woo returns, love with Hyang-ri awaits him."

Artistic Execution & Performance Study

A film's resonance is often dictated by the strength of its execution, both in front of and behind the camera. Despite the inherent talent of Jeon Young-rok, the performance in Great Ambition feels somewhat constrained by a narrative framework that doesn't fully exploit their range. There are flashes of brilliance, but the overall impact is muted.

The direction by Bae Hwa-Min is marked by a steady and professional hand. From a production standpoint, the film meets the high standards of modern industrial filmmaking. The sets are well-crafted, and the visual effects are integrated with a level of polish that ensures the viewer matches the director's intended level of immersion. While perhaps not groundbreaking, the execution is flawless. The pacing, over its N/A minute runtime, allows the audience to fully inhabit the space the director has created, making the eventual resolution feel deeply earned.

Critical Assessment: Why You Should Watch

Is Great Ambition truly worth your investment of time and attention? In an era of disposable content, this film makes a strong case for its existence. If you are a connoisseur of Action, Mystery, then this is a worthwhile watch if you have a specific interest in the themes or the performers involved.

The film's ability to perfectly execute its genre requirements is why it has earned its 0/10 score. It speaks to a global audience while maintaining a distinct and unique voice, a balance that is notoriously difficult to achieve in the modern marketplace.

Philosophical Subtext & Directorial Vision

At a deeper level, Great Ambition explores the dichotomy of strength and vulnerability. The 1987 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and Bae Hwa-Min respects this by refusing to provide easy answers to the story's complex questions.

The philosophical underpinnings of the second and third acts suggest a narrative that is interested in more than just entertainment. It is an exploration of what it means to be human in an increasingly complex world.

Final Editorial Recommendation

Ultimately, Great Ambition is an interesting experiment that, while flawed, offers enough moments of creative spark to be worth a casual glance for the curious. Whether you are drawn to it by the star power of Jeon Young-rok or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, Great Ambition is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.