The Warrior
by Sung-su Kim (II)
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Jin-mo Ju (II), Sung-kee Ahn, Woo-sung Jung, Yong-woo Park, Ziyi ZhangDirector: Sung-su Kim (II)
Brand: Sony
DVD: Region Code 99
Audio: Korean (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0; English (Subtitled); English (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 5.1
Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD-Video, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 2.35:1
Running Time: 133 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2006-03-07
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: Sony Pictures
Movie Reviews of The Warrior
Movie Review: Unbiased Opinion (money spent elsewhere is money better spent)
Summary: 2 Stars
Before I write this somewhat of a downer, I want to say that I bought this movie based on the solid reviews it received here on Amazon. However, I have come to believe that some of these (especially the 5 STARS) were written by people who were paid to write for the movie. Being such a "high budget" film in Korea, it looked and had the feel of a really low budget film for all the scenes being outside and the props being pretty awful.
The Warrior takes place in 1375AD China. Korea has sent troops to make peace with China's new government but are exiled to the desert. After what seems like an eternity into the movie, Zhang Ziyi finally enters the film. The plot is really drawn out and confusing. The translations, which were very accurate, show how poorly the script was written. IF you like endless movie-type cliches and a poor choice of words, you may disagree with the previous statement.
The acting was sub-par and the only redeeming factor for this movie was Jung Woo-Sung's character. However, even he is not very entertaining to watch. Zhang Ziyi's acting was pretty awful and, well, I guess she is playing the same character as in every ancient-based Chinese movie that she always plays... Another annoying character is this Buddhist monk who happens to meet the Koreans and then follows the Korean general. He is just one of many characters this movie could have done without.
As mentioned before, the plot is very drawn out and muddled. I couldn't quite follow the movie and I truly didn't enjoy the acting.
As far as the actual cinematic production of the movie is concerned, the shots are all OKAY. I put heavy emphasis on okay because Korean and Chinese martial arts movies [EDIT: Korean War Epic, not martial arts movie] usually have a certain feel to them and a beauty in all of the shots. These scenes seemed poorly planned out and the directors eye didn't capture much of the natural beauty form the areas this movie was filmed.
The soundtrack was annoying and cliche to any cheesy 70's American made action/martial arts movie with heavy staccato's during the dreadful moments.
Overall, I would say that this movie was below average in the areas of Cinematography, Acting, Writing, Script and Soundtrack. I feel like one of the only reasons this movie ever got watched is because Zhang Ziyi was casted, but she even helps ruin this movie at points.
Sorry for this negative review but I was really upset after reading the amazing reviews and paying for the movie. Not even worth the used price of $3.76+shipping.
Recommendations based on this movie's attributes: All of which are better than "The Warrior".
Korean- Sword in the Moon (One of the best Korean martial arts movies I have ever watched), Crying Fist, Oldboy (Similar only in the graphic nature), Tae Guk Gi (Also has poor dialogue, but well-done), The Duelist.
Chinese- The Warlords, Curse of the Golden Flower (A little confusing, but easy enough to follow. Beautifully shot.), Hero (Another beautifully shot movie.), Fearless, Crouching Tiger (Classic), The Promise (the writing is very similar to the Warrior, not much to help you stay involved, but entertaining nonetheless.)
Summary of The Warrior
Based on the true story of a group of korean envoys making their way home after the fall of the yuan dynasty the warrior documents the exile of some of the nations bravest soldiers exiled and never heard from again. Studio: Sony Pictures Home Ent Release Date: 05/22/2007 Starring: Zizi Zhang Jung Woo Sung Run time: 154 minutes Rating: RThe Warrior combines gorgeous cinematography, complex historical politics, and joltingly bloody action sequences to create a sweeping historical spectacular. A squadron of Korean soldiers, sent to protect a diplomatic envoy to China, find themselves unmoored when the envoys are killed in clashes with Chinese and Mongol soldiers. Struggling to return home, they rescue a high-handed Chinese princess (Ziyi Zhang, House of Flying Daggers, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) and decide that protecting her is their best chance to survive, and possibly improve Korean-Chinese relations as well. Unfortunately, the Mongols want her back, and the squadron find their numbers slowly diminishing as they fight their way to an isolated military outpost. Though there's a more realistic context for the action--The Warrior is based on a historical event and the characters are well-developed--the battle scenes deliver some visceral thrills; the violence is graphic (beheadings, arrows plunging into necks, limbs sliced off) but grippingly choreographed. An above-average action movie; however, it is highly recommended that viewers watch it with subtitles, as the dubbing is typically wretched. --Bret Fetzer
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