| Language: Korean Director: Yu-jin Kim Running time: 134 min Release year: 2008 |
| Cast: Jeong Jae-Yeong, Han Eun-Jeong, Heo Jun-Ho, Ahn Sung-Kee, Jeong Seong-Mo, Kim Myeong-Su, Lee Do-Kyeong |
Movie Review:
Going into “The Divine Weapon” my own enthusiasm was slightly muted just from my own past experiences with Korean period films. Specifically those action-based period films that the Chinese seem to do so well, but Koreans seems to always botch. Furthermore, not long into “The Divine Weapon,” there’s also a noticeable nationalistic tone, a hallmark of recent Korean films like “Hanbando,” “D-War” and “May 18″ (all of which are horrid films that only mothers of the cast & staff would love). Turns out that “The Divine Weapon” is light years better than those mentioned films, but hardly a classic of any sorts. |
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Set sometime in the 16th century, during Korea’s Joseon Dynasty, the country finds itself at the mercy of its Chinese overlords. In pursuit of Korea’s autonomy, King Sejong funds a secret project to create the Sinjijeon - a powerful rocket based artillery weapon. But when the project gets close to completion the Chinese government clamps down hard on suspected Koreans and the inventor of the Sinjijeon commits suicide. Fortunately for the Koreans, the project isn’t completely lost as the inventor’s daughter, named Hong-ri, escapes with the blueprints for the Sinjijeon.
Hong-ri is then hidden by Korean officials at the home of a shady Korean merchant named Seol-ju. Since Seol-ju’s father was accused of treason and killed, Seol-ju has stayed away from politics and concentrated solely on accumulating wealth and wooing women. Even with his reservations with politics, Seol-ju becomes drawn into the Sinjijeon project, largely because of his affections for Hong-ri. When the Chinese officials threaten to again clamp down on the Koreans, the Korean king orders a halt to the Sinjijeon project. Seol-ju and Hong-ri think otherwise.
“The Divine Weapon” features a $10 million budget, large for a Korean film, and appears made for a diverse Korean audience. The film incorporates action, adventure, romance, politics, history, as well as its strong nationalistic tone, to appeal to a diverse demography. Unfortunately for the film, with the inclusion of so many different elements, the film fails to produce a distinct voice and comes across more like an imitation of various of other films. What the movie does have to offer is a stellar performance by Jae-yeong Jeong as Seol-ju. Not since “Someone Special” has Jae-yeong Jeong given a performance to talk about, but that all changes with “The Divine Weapon.” Meanwhile, his romantic counterpart, played by Eun-jeong Han, gives a less appealing performance. Eun-jeon Han physically resembles Michelle Yeoh, but lacks much of her screen presence.
Storywise, The Divine Weapon’s insistence to cover various genres lightly but never focus on any one area becomes increasingly the movie’s downfall. With the backdrop of the Korea’s clandestine operation to breakfree from its Chinese oppressors, political intrigue seems to be the driving force for the movie. But before you can get your feet comfortably set in the story, you’re treated to unrealistic sword battles featuring Jae-yeong Jeong going all Crouching Tiger on his enemies. With this, realism goes down the tube and before you can get comfortably set in the fantasy sword play world, you’re shown light hearted romantic moments between Jae-yeong Jeong and Eun-heon Han. Granted the moment in the Geisha house when Jae-yeong Jeong slips his hand inside of Eun-heon Han’s shirt is a riot, but by this time you have to ask yourself what the hell am I watching? And yes, while you’re pondering that question a gruesome castration scene comes about. Hmm…
“The Divine Weapon” is the type of movie that if you catch on an airplane or cable television, you’ll find yourself lightly amused as it offers nice diversion from reality. But if you want anything more, you should look elsewhere. |
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{ Recommended Korean Movies } |
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The divine weapon (Singijeon) |
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Director: Yu-jin Kim; Cast: Jae-yeong Jeong, Eun-jeong Han, Jun-ho Heo, Sung-kee Ahn, Geon-sik Bae, Li-seong Do, Seong-mo Jeong |
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Lady Vengeance (Chinjeolhan Geumjassi) |
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Director: Park Chan-Wook; Cast: Yeong-ae Lee, Choi Min-Sik, Kwon Ye-Young |
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Breathless (Ddongpari) |
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Director: Yang Ik-Jun; Cast: Yang Ik-Jun, Kim Kkot-Bi, Jeong Man-Sik, Lee Hwan |
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Secret sunshine (Milyang) |
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Director: Lee Chang-Dong; Cast: Jeon Do-Yeon, Song Kang-Ho, Seon Jeong-Yeop |
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My dear enemy (Meotjin haru) |
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Director: Yoon-ki Lee; Cast: Jeon Do-Yeon, Ha Jung-Woo, Hye-ok Kim, Oh Ji-Eun |
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The host (Gwoemul) |
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Director: Joon-ho Bong; Cast: Kang-ho Song, Hie-bong Byeon, Hae-il Park, Doona Bae |
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The good, the bad, the weird (Joheunnom nabbeunnom isanghannom) |
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Director: Ji-woon Kim; Cast: Kang-ho Song, Byung-hun Lee, Woo-sung Jung |
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