Escape From Mogadishu  ★★★

SOUTH Korean action drama Escape From Mogadishu presents viewers with a mixed bag.

It’s based on real events but presented in a way that succeeds in being entertaining but muddies the impact of the drama.

In 1991 South Korea was seeking to be admitted to the United Nations, targeting a range of African nations for their votes.

At the same time North Korea was actively trying to sabotage its neighbour’s efforts.

Both countries had embassies in Somalia and the first half of the film documents the clash of diplomatic skulduggery involved in efforts to undermine each other.

Civil War erupts and the distrustful staff from the two Korean embassies are forced to work together to escape from the conflict.

Shot in Morocco, the film culminates in a terrific car chase sequence through the streets with a convoy of makeshift armoured vehicles trying to avoid rebel gunfire.

The chase sequence is without doubt the highlight of the film but the lead-up is sufficiently intriguing and entertaining.

The main issue with the film is the sometimes unsuccessful shifts of tone between drama and humour which occasionally take the audience out of their emotional