Review of Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War (2004) by Richard U — 16 Sep 2007

Taegukgi hwinalrimyeo:

Chalk it up to the fact that I knew zilch about the Korean War prior to watching this movie, but I honestly felt like the movie was about to end after only about 30 or 45 minutes. Everytime I thought some cliche event was going to occur, the movie would trick me and keep going. There are some tools used in this movie that are common in war dramas: treasured sentimental items, longing for home, etc.; but this movie has quite a few surprises in store around each corner. While I think this is a fictional story, there is still a lot of realistic information about the Korean War itself; and it inspired me to learn more.

This movie shows the chaos that warfare brings and, in particular, the way it tore apart cites and villages; friends and families throughout Korea. For most of the movie, I felt that the North was being portrayed as barbarian while the South remained innocent; but as it progressed, the realities and atrocities committed by both sides become apparent.

Some of the dialogue didn't seem all that astounding, but then again it IS a foreign movie -- in Korean the wording may have far greater impact than the translations. The acting, however, is superb.