The Restless - Kampf um Midheaven

Another fantasy Korean movie with martial arts, now in future, Koreans are making more fantasy and martial arts movies. Now, there are still more romance movies.

Now coming to this movie, I did not know this is a fantasy movie, I thought it is romance. The story is like a romance story with fantasy which is great. Yi Gwak found himself in a place that the dead suppose to go when they die. It is strange as he don't remember dieing until when he asks someone, he checks and discovers that he is not dead yet. It is a puzzle. He then meets a beautiful girl who he falls in love with. From there, battles are slotted in and beautifully forms a romantic fantasy movie. The battles include sword fights which are cool enough with the special effects. There too is enough romance to keep up and action.

Overall, it may be a suitable romantic fantasy movie. It is enough to keep you glued to the screen. The sword fights and special effects are added to make the story going, or not I would feel bored watching romance.

I have to say that I steer clear of most Korean movie. Thay are 97% of the time drawn out, dull and very boring. That being said, they have a few simply great movies. OldBoy, Musa and Tae Guk Gi. The Restless is advertised as a horror movie and this I do not know why? Hoewever as an action/fantasy/romantic movie it really works. The story is unique, the surprises are many and there are good characters.The character development is not of a Johhny To film and it could use another 20-30 minutes of backstory and character development, it works. Korean movies are a long way from being able to touch HK films, that being said, this is a very nice watch and if you catch it as I did without knowing anything going in, very good. Yes the leading actress is dull, yes the CGI could be better in places but it works and gets a 7-7.7 If you like this also try -Shinobi -Azumi -The Promise -Storm Riders -Zu Warriors

Overall a good watch and worth a tub or popcorn!

I've been watching a lot of Korean movies as of late, since I find that in general their quality is much higher compared to their Chinese (esp. HK) counterparts.

I was quite disappointed after watching The Restless, a Korean action/fantasy/love story. Story involves a battle between good and evil, characters residing in heaven and hell and somewhere in between. There's also a love story as well which involves multiple characters.

Although the story premise was unique, the execution and acting left much to be desired. Particular poor was that of the main female role of So-hwa, with her intermittent cross-eyed facial expression that really distracted from her portrayal of a higher being. On the other hand, the male main character was quite pleasant on the eye and aside from some annoying hair style was actually quite goo.

The action/fighting sequences were very ordinary (compared to HERO and Matrix, which are my fantasy movie action standards), and the CGI backgrounds used were quite obvious (aside from one initial shot of the midheaven temples). Particularly cheesy was the fight in the woods involving various piercing chains that shot out of the antagonist's body... certainly lacking the graceful flight through the woods that one imagined in Crouching Tiger. Towards the end you'll notice quite a resemblance to the LOTR3 and when Frodo approaches Mt Doom.

Overall a disappointing movie.

I just finished watching The Restless and I must say that I'm stunned by its beauty. If you really want to enjoy this movie please leave all of your expectations somewhere and watch it with a clear mind. You'll see that there is a lot to like in this Korean fantasy flick.

To make the picture more clear I have to make some comparisons. First of all this movie is not better than Shadowless Sword in action or swordplay department. There are some nice CGI filled fight scenes but as I said before there is not as much as action as in Shadowless Sword.

This movie is mostly a romantic fantasy movie with some swordplay thrown in. The sets are awesome and all the effects, costumes everything looks beautiful except two things:

1-The main hero's hair. I really wanted to enter the screen and give him a more charismatic hairstyle

2-Main actress expression. I wonder why she looked so scared like there is a monster or a ghost looking at her. That really ruined most of the film for me.

To sum everything up I have to say few things: 1-There is less fights and action than Shadowless Sword

2-There is more romance and sadness than Bichunmoo

3-Effects are the best I have ever seen in these kind of Korean movies

4-I would recommend you to watch this movie if you liked Shadowless Sword,Bichunmoo and The Legend of the Evil Lake

5-Koreans must make this type of fantasy swordplay movies more often. I really prefer their ones over Chinese fantasy swordplay films

a demon hunter get's poisoned after he saved some villagers ( that's gratitude for ya) and he arrives in 'pre-heaven'. He is however not really dead and soon finds himself fighting demons once more while reuniting with the woman he once loved and lost. But since she's become an archangel she has no memories left. Will he be able to win her heart all over again? Of course I am not going to tell that! This is a very good looking movie, sets and special effects are good. But what's even better are the actors. They really make you feel this story. Especially Woo-sung Jung is convincing in his longing for his long lost love. Highly recommended