The Warrior
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Movie Reviews of The Warrior
Movie Review: Look at the character's faces.
Summary: 5 Stars
I really don't know where to begin.
(possible spoilers ahead)
When I first saw this movie, I could only see how arrogant the Korean general was. Then later, I realized how our social class (in this case, the Korean society in 14th century) awareness has made him that way. In the desert, the social class differences didn't matter as much as before, but almost unconsciously, everyone carried out their specific role and followed it. As the movie progressed, many characters (and the viewers) could clearly see that the system of assigned roles was flawed.
It pondered me how the princess, who was utterly selfish when it came down to persuasion of her interest (like when she handed her fine yellow silk robe to another girl so that the girl could act as a bait) was kowtowed at when the villagers saw her. Yet she also was true to her feeling when she gave a piece of cloth to a slave which clearly meant a lot to him. The general saw the slave in a negative light due to slave's recent acquisition of his freedom from his deceased master (the general says about this: "Once slave you are forever slave. That is the law of Koryo"). But when Yesol (the slave) is captured by the enemies, the general becomes worried as much as anyone else. And Yesol, (oh boy, what a great character!), although freed, he could not escape his duties to the family of his previous master, and when captured, Yesol was offered honor, prestige, and wealth had he joined the Mongols, but instead Yesol comes back (to a place where he could still go back as a slave if everything resolves) to fight with his travel companions, then he saves the life of the princess at cost of his. Previously, before the final battle began, the general said something akin to: "the greatest honor of a warrior is to die in a battle", but when he is dying, he sees no honor and purpose of such death, and dies sad and disappointed.
So what is the whole point of me telling you all this? It seems that all the characters in this movie has some flaws, but not due to their erroneous choices, but as the victims of their acquired perspective through the experiences in this world. Notice, when they made the right choices, it is due to following their "true feeling" rather than following how things are supposed to work out in this world. Yes, I just indirectly said that this movie makes a good case of destiny affecting more than our choices to our life in this world.
So what is the movie trying to tell us? Maybe the more "noble purpose" we humans think we have, the more we tend to become arrogant and wrong, and we provably won't notice it until the end of our lives. Yesol, who was only a slave, who could not even properly understand freedom, ultimately died in the most fulfilling way, by showing what his love was capable of, unlike the general who had loftier ideals like (superficial) honor, which it ultimately bounded him and made him less free, making him a less humane being. Notice that I only talked about 3 characters in the movie, but there are more, and you will see how each finds their own truths (particularly pay attention to the archer guy, although he is almost like an observer).
If you really want to understand this film, you have to be an active viewer like the reviewer below suggested. Keep looking at each character's faces and their expressions; if you do, I can promise you one of the most awarding film experiences.
The only flaw of this movie is that Koreans fought rather too well; but then, same happens to Americans with their own films. I guess no one can escape the delusion of self-appointing protagonist mentality.
Movie Review: Visual poetry...a subtle, tragic and beautiful telling of a legend
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie is by far my favorite Asian film, for a few reasons. Firstly, I'm not a big fan of the "super powers" martial arts films where everyone can practically fly; I prefer the films where I can at least pretend what the characters are doing is doable. ;) This film is heavy on action, but not "super power" action.
Secondly, and more importantly, the film is beautifully and artistically crafted. At points, the brilliance and subtly of the character expressions, interactions and behaviors are so stunning that you feel more like you're watching visual poetry than a film. That is where this film's true depth and stunning quality lies.
This is not an over-the-top Hollywood film, with big, flamboyantly expressed interactions and emotions; this is a subtler, more realistic and beautiful film. I wouldn't recommend watching this film if you're a "passive viewer" who prefers that things are shouted out, loud and clear; I would highly recommend this film if you're an "active viewer", who likes to engage with the story as you watch, picking up the subtle visual and audio cues to understand what you're seeing. If you like to see, hear, deduce, and feel what the characters are thinking and feeling, this is the film for you; if you like to be told in clear, uncertain terms, probably not.
That's what I really love about this film...it's the little things, a fleeting expression, an inflected tone, that tell the human bits of this story...as I say, visual poetry.
As for the rest, it is all very good too. The story is solid, the acting great, and the direction very good. It's a bit on the long side, so keep that in mind when you're viewing it. If you're like me, though, you won't even notice, and you'll be sorry when it's over.
5/5 stars
Movie Review: Misleading US DVD box art
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a great movie. I actually have the original Korean DVD. Be warned, American marketing would like you to think Zhang Xiyi is going to give you some great fights with that Photoshopped sword in her hand. In this movie, she is a princess, she isn't a wushu fighter. The characters, story, acting, and fight sequences are exciting, but not "wire-fu". I truly hate it when companies superimpose heads on different bodies and put weapons in actor's hands when it is not reflective of the movie. The result, you sucker someone into buying a movie expecting something of which the cover speaks otherwise. That in itself is false advertising. But if you are interested in seeing a good movie, watch this movie (originally called Musa: the Warrior). This isn't "crouching tiger", it's more of a gritty historic epic and worth watching!Movie Review: The Warrior
Summary: 5 Stars
This stunning, lavish military epic is reportedly the most expensive Korean film ever shot, and the production values on this gripping adventure tale make you believe it. Beyond its breathtaking visual scope, the film is a twisty, intelligent war film, consistently engrossing throughout its over two hour run time. Fans of first-rate action epics should salute this "Warrior". Be warned, however: there's gore aplenty.Movie Review: oddly beautiful
Summary: 5 Stars
A favorite Western I watched with my dad communicated the blazing truth that there are things worth fighting for; this movie communicates that there are things worth being defeated for. To give oneself to them entirely is true freedom. It is an oddly hopeful ending, after an epic, vivid and violent, varied and often very beautiful chronicle of individuated and communal despair.