“Visionary” and “savior”, Lucy Mirando (Swinton) is the head of the Mirando corporation (once lead by her even more so cruel twin, Nancy) Lucy announces they are developing giant super pigs to send them to different parts of the world to be raised by farmers and declare one the winner. After 10 years of living freely and growing on these farms, they send Dr. Johnny Wilcox (A wacky, over the top, sell out, former television personality, who “loves animals” played by Gyllenhaal) to find the best super pig and bring it back to New York. He finds that with, Okja, who lives on a remote, mountain side farm in South Korea with her companion, Mija (Seo Hyun-Ahn), a young girl. Mija sets out to save Okja, after she is taken from her. She takes matters into her own hands, risking her life to safe Okja’s. With the help of an animal rights activists group, ALF (Animal Liberation Front) lead by Jay (Paul Dano) and K (Steven Yeun) they join together to save Okja and bring down the Mirando Corporation and expose them for what they really are.
A good balance of drama, action and comedy, Okja isn’t as dull as I thought it was going to be. The plot is straight to the point and easy to follow. And even though it centers around animal rights and big corporations hiding their truths, it’s not preachy. Bong joon ho’s direction and cinematography brings life to a film, that other wise may have lost it’s point and audience. I give it 4/5 gold pigs!
