Review of Welcome to Dongmakgol (2005) by Zero X — 28 Dec 2010

With Joe Hisaishi on board for this project, I came in with an expectation of quality, even though I knew little of the plot except its surrounding hype.

I'm going to get a lot of flak for saying so, but this feels like a live-action.

Korean Miyazaki film. However, that is a measure of the praise I have for the creativity in its production. It's no coincidence that this film is reminiscent of Princess Mononoke on multiple fronts; especially with Joe Hisaishi's colorful expression behind each scene. Even on a visual level, the forest cinematography and free-spirited Yeo-Il seem to be a tribute to the breathing, living story that has become Miyazaki's trademark.

Though the movie deals w/ the Korean conflict, Welcome to Dongmakgol is not a war movie in the line of Saving Private Ryan and Tae Guk Gi. Nor is it another "war is hell" story. Rather, it comments on the absurdity of war, particularly through an early skirmish in the movie. The movie is very lighthearted in its portrayal of the villagers, especially in an excessively over-the-top scene in the middle. However, the fun and games don't negate the serious message behind the film.

--12/28/10.