Review of R-Point (2004) by Carlos M — 30 Nov 2008

R-Point is a Korean film that is sort of a cross of the horror and war genres. Notice that I say "sort of" because director, Su-chang Kong, is going for an "antiwar" movie. This makes sense because the plot revolves around military soldiers, but not around them fighting a war.

The plot is slow going because there isn't much action. The bulk of this 105 minute film is spent on buildup, with some back story, and a bunch of suspense. With the exception of a quick fire fight as the soldiers arrive at R-Point, there is nothing else really explosive in the way of action.

The part of the film that most people may find disappointing is that most of it is pretty monotone. The scares aren't that many, at least in the earlier parts, and as I previously mentioned there is a lot of story buildup.

This isn't a bad thing because you do get to see each soldier sort of transform before your very eyes as the paranormal element kicks in. Now, because of all the buildup, it just makes the "R-Point: Day 4" and "R-Point: Day 5" segments that much more satisfying.

The violence and gore is a little on the bloody side, but I wouldn't say it is over the top. Does it need more of it? Maybe in the earlier parts of the film.The acting isn't too bad. The Korean soldiers are great to watch, especially when they start losing it.

There are a few minutes where American soldiers appear on screen and they just stink it up. Seriously, they were just reading from the script. As usual, the American actors don't fit well in another Asian movie.

While R-Point may not be the scariest of horrors, it does have a good enough story, albeit a bit confusing one, to make this a decent watch.