Korean thriller puts emphasis on action

Inspired by records of Japan's occupation in the 1920s, "The Age of Shadows" (⋆⋆⋆⋆, unrated, in subtitled Korean and Japanese, and English) is superb at every level, with stunning widescreen cinematography, lavish set design, compelling characters, thrilling fight choreography and eerie soundtrack music. Director Kim Jee-woon follows a Korean officer in the Japanese police force. Played by the great Song Kang-ho ("Snowpiercer"), he could be a traitor, patriotic mole or opportunist. Each nominal hero and villain is portrayed in three dimensions. It's a rich stew of a tale, with Korean resistance fighters, Hungarian revolutionaries, Japanese police officials and double agents. Running at 140 minutes, "The Age of Shadows" is worth every moment. (Through Dec. 15 at St. Anthony Main, 115 SE. Main St., Mpls. $8.50, stanthonymaintheatre.com.)Colin Covert