Now here is a film that caught me by surprise. Wonderful Days, released in South Korea in 2003, is notable for being the most expensive Korean animated production ever made. Directed and written by Kim Moon-saeng, this futuristic sci-fi movie combines 2D animation with 3D CGI, similar to the Japanese film Appleseed, which would be released a year later. And while Wonderful Days may have been overshadowed by the other similar films released around this time, it still stands on its own and comes across as a very sleek, well-told, and compelling movie.

It is the year 2142, a bleak time where the world has been ravished by war and pollution. The last survivors have created a new home called Ecoban, a completely contained and shielded city that draws its energy source from the pollution of the earth. Unfortunately, society looks down on the inhabitants of Marr, using them as slaves for work and to keep the city running. When the pollution levels show signs of dropping, the government officials of Ecoban decide to sustain the pollution in order to uphold their prestigious city, even if it means wiping out the people of Marr.

One day, an intruder manages to break into Ecoban's main computer system, Delos, which prompts the response of the Ecoban security unit. Jay, a female officer, narrowly encounters the intruder in a standoff, but the mysterious man escapes. In the process, Jay manages to catch a glimpse of his face only to realize his identity. He is Shua, her former best friend, now a member of the Marrian resistance. Jay attempts to seek him out, traveling to the Marr wasteland outside the city walls to find out his true intentions. Shua's hope: to show her the blue sky. However, Cade, a stern security commander stands in their way as he will do anything to preserve the city of Ecoban.

The movie combines cyberpunk, drama, action, and romance all together and is quite affective too. The storyline may not be the most original plot out there, but it is still absorbing and even suspenseful at times. You really begin to feel for the characters when you learn of their difficult past which is revealed throughout the course of the movie. Also along for the ride is an assorted bunch of Marrian resistance fighters who are likeable and add some humor to the film. On the other hand, the movie's love story is very sad and moving.

In regards to the visuals... well, let's just say, I can see where the budget went. The traditional cell animation alone is superb, but add to that the gorgeous 3D rendered backgrounds, and the visuals are nothing short of amazing. Seriously, if the story doesn't do it for you, this fantastic blend of animation will surely keep you watching. Adding to this is the top-notch cinematography: the dramatic scenes are composed realistically while the action sequences are very striking and well choreographed.

Another big factor is the music score. This is the kind of score that will make you go out of your way to track down the soundtrack. Composed by Won Il, the music is such a wonderful mix that captures the visuals on screen and really unifies the film. I also must mention the amazing sound effects which make excellent use of the surround system. Sometimes movies that overuse the rear channels can be distracting, but in this case, it's really an experience of its own, especially when you have motorbikes hurtling by and bullets whizzing past your head!

There are several versions of this movie out there. Personally, I would recommend you check out the Original Director's Cut. This version of the movie is several minutes longer than the Korean theatrical version and international versions, and contains some dialog and scene changes. To be honest, most of the changes are actually quite subtle (longer shots here and there), but I found it to flow better and some scenes have a stronger impact in this version.

In conclusion, Wonderful Days is a very good movie. It is quite underrated and the story really deserves more credit than it's been given. This was a very ambitious project, over seven years in the making, and in my opinion, the film succeeds as a unique and touching piece of art. If you enjoy Korean cinema, I think you will really appreciate it. Fans of anime and sci-fi will also want to check out this impressive and beautiful movie.