A Korean Masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (17 February 2004)

The best war movie ever, period. All the Saving Private Ryans of this world pale in comparison to Taegukgi. Don't be deceived by the fact that this movie took only $13 million to make (expensive by Korean standards but pocket change in the world of Hollywood), I dare say the visual/sound effects in the movie surpasses any multi-million dollar Hollywood blockbuster. If you thought the Omaha Beach sequence in Saving Private Ryan was amazing, prepare to be blown away, this movie is about to rewrite history books. Outside of Hollywood, Korea is the ONLY country that is capable of making movies that are this good-looking and well polished. The scale and ambition of this film is massive, and even with all the risks involved in making films such as this, the director nails it on the head everytime. The amazing war sequences aside, the dramatic elements shine out as well, supported by an amazing cast of talented actors. It's a very tragic and moving story, more than few tears will shed where I watched the movie, and you will all cry too, when you're not staring in awe at the action sequences that is ^^ Anyways, a breakthrough film, the best movie of 2004 overall so far. I am shocked and surprised as to how much Korean filmmaking has progressed in a few short years, if this trend continues, within 10 years time, even Hollywood would be cowering in fear and begging for mercy. Korean movies ARE the future, this film is a testimony to that. See it for yourself, and believe it.