Wrathborne
05-31-2008, 12:07 AM
PLOT
In 1972 a group of Korean Soldiers are given a mission to go scout out R-point in Vietnam, Their job is to look for a platoon that disappeared 6 months ago, they have 7 days to accomplish this, then they can all be discharged.
But even the Viet Cong stays out of R-point, and the Korean soldiers are about to find out why.
Gotta say this plot sounded a little cliche at first, but it really just grew on me and in the end became quite solid and just became one of the best catalysts in film I've ever seen. Full points.
10/10
SCRIPT
The movie is very much inspired by John Carpenters 'the thing' but it goes off in its own direction and its supernatural elements are quite fascinating. The characters are believable, the humor(when its there) is pretty damn funny, and the dialogs is actually really good. Usually in Asian Horror dialog can get pretentious(especially with supernatural ones) but it felt really natural here. though these guys call each other 'asshole' so much it loses its meaning.:ahheh:
I would have liked a little more resolution, as well as development in Lt.Choi, the main character. He's supposed to be shell shocked according to the back of the dvd box, but I didn't quite get that feeling from the character. I did however want to know more about him, even though hes very quiet, hes pretty damn interesting.
Too bad they didn't have the budget to film the scene where he gets shell shocked.
9/10
ACTING
Some characters 'break' earlier than others in this twisted tale and it can get a little annoying to listen to them bitch and whine, but that comes with every film. and in this films situation it is entirely understandable.
Woo-seong Kam is realty Stoic as Lt.Choi and manages to stand out of the crowd as a man who is very in control against a situation he has no control over.
Jon Ho Song as Sargent Oh was very strong and gruff character that stood out as well, his machete wielding angry sargent was well cast.
the rest of the cast were quite good, but they did kind of blend in with each other. Could have used a few more character traits.
9/10
MUSIC
There isn't an incredible amount of music here, its mainly soft creepy sounding tracks that somehow solidify with the dark atmosphere they captured on film. I honestly donut remember th music in this film so much as feeling it. Not sure if thats a good or bad thing.
8/10
CINEMATICA
The darkness in this film grows on you uncomfortably, this is undoubtedly one of these creepiest films I've ever seen. Its imagery is subtle at first, but then when the shit hits the fan, the artisticness comes out and its really something to enjoy.
There is use of shaky cam in the film, something I don't like, but its minimal and fortunately brief. They use a lot of medium shots and stuff in the film, where I would have liked some close shots, as close shots let you get to 'know' the characters a little more.
8/10
PACING
A good even slow unsettling flow of events fill this film, but it would have been nice to have the pace picked up in a few areas. Fortunately when the shit hits the fan, thing pick up smoothly and this film doesn't challenge your patience. There are lots of little things that happen that catch your attention and help the films climax pay off just fine.
8/10
DIRECTION
This film has some of the tightest direction I've ever seen, the concept is fully brought to life and the creepiness of the movie grows on you. There is a lot of blood in the film, some rotting bodies, guys getting shot up too which adds some juicyness. There is a decapitation too, but its so fast and filmed at such an odd angle you don see it, I cant say I liked that. So that gore would have been nice to have seen on screen, but its not really well shown...Hard to say.
Still Su-Chan Kong's directorial debut is really outstanding.
9/10
FUNFACTOR
This bloody gritty film isn't a chore to watch and it is enjoyable, but it really does back you into the wall, might be a turn off for some. Its got a good replay value, but I dunno. might just be the film you buy, and watch about 4-5 times before it collects dust.
8/10
OVERALL
-----------
75/90= 'B+', Damn fine film. I take back some of what I said about Koran Horror ripping off Japanese horror too much. This stand alone film really is unique, unsettling, and quite original.
In 1972 a group of Korean Soldiers are given a mission to go scout out R-point in Vietnam, Their job is to look for a platoon that disappeared 6 months ago, they have 7 days to accomplish this, then they can all be discharged.
But even the Viet Cong stays out of R-point, and the Korean soldiers are about to find out why.
Gotta say this plot sounded a little cliche at first, but it really just grew on me and in the end became quite solid and just became one of the best catalysts in film I've ever seen. Full points.
10/10
SCRIPT
The movie is very much inspired by John Carpenters 'the thing' but it goes off in its own direction and its supernatural elements are quite fascinating. The characters are believable, the humor(when its there) is pretty damn funny, and the dialogs is actually really good. Usually in Asian Horror dialog can get pretentious(especially with supernatural ones) but it felt really natural here. though these guys call each other 'asshole' so much it loses its meaning.:ahheh:
I would have liked a little more resolution, as well as development in Lt.Choi, the main character. He's supposed to be shell shocked according to the back of the dvd box, but I didn't quite get that feeling from the character. I did however want to know more about him, even though hes very quiet, hes pretty damn interesting.
Too bad they didn't have the budget to film the scene where he gets shell shocked.
9/10
ACTING
Some characters 'break' earlier than others in this twisted tale and it can get a little annoying to listen to them bitch and whine, but that comes with every film. and in this films situation it is entirely understandable.
Woo-seong Kam is realty Stoic as Lt.Choi and manages to stand out of the crowd as a man who is very in control against a situation he has no control over.
Jon Ho Song as Sargent Oh was very strong and gruff character that stood out as well, his machete wielding angry sargent was well cast.
the rest of the cast were quite good, but they did kind of blend in with each other. Could have used a few more character traits.
9/10
MUSIC
There isn't an incredible amount of music here, its mainly soft creepy sounding tracks that somehow solidify with the dark atmosphere they captured on film. I honestly donut remember th music in this film so much as feeling it. Not sure if thats a good or bad thing.
8/10
CINEMATICA
The darkness in this film grows on you uncomfortably, this is undoubtedly one of these creepiest films I've ever seen. Its imagery is subtle at first, but then when the shit hits the fan, the artisticness comes out and its really something to enjoy.
There is use of shaky cam in the film, something I don't like, but its minimal and fortunately brief. They use a lot of medium shots and stuff in the film, where I would have liked some close shots, as close shots let you get to 'know' the characters a little more.
8/10
PACING
A good even slow unsettling flow of events fill this film, but it would have been nice to have the pace picked up in a few areas. Fortunately when the shit hits the fan, thing pick up smoothly and this film doesn't challenge your patience. There are lots of little things that happen that catch your attention and help the films climax pay off just fine.
8/10
DIRECTION
This film has some of the tightest direction I've ever seen, the concept is fully brought to life and the creepiness of the movie grows on you. There is a lot of blood in the film, some rotting bodies, guys getting shot up too which adds some juicyness. There is a decapitation too, but its so fast and filmed at such an odd angle you don see it, I cant say I liked that. So that gore would have been nice to have seen on screen, but its not really well shown...Hard to say.
Still Su-Chan Kong's directorial debut is really outstanding.
9/10
FUNFACTOR
This bloody gritty film isn't a chore to watch and it is enjoyable, but it really does back you into the wall, might be a turn off for some. Its got a good replay value, but I dunno. might just be the film you buy, and watch about 4-5 times before it collects dust.
8/10
OVERALL
-----------
75/90= 'B+', Damn fine film. I take back some of what I said about Koran Horror ripping off Japanese horror too much. This stand alone film really is unique, unsettling, and quite original.