A-i-deul...

The movie tells the story of what happened early 1990's in Korea, as 5 elementary school students never returned from their walk to a nearby mountain.

Based on true events and dedicated to the family who lost their children, this movie definitely succeeds at its goal. To make people be a witness of what happened 20 years ago and to be part of what emotional horror the family and everyone involved went through and still have to go through.

You will stay focused from the start to the end thanks to great directing and acting. Just when you think the movie will wrap up, it will make a sudden twist and turn everything upside down. Korea once again shows how to make a great movie that is based on true events.

Although this movie feels a lot like Memories of Murder (that also is based on true events in Korea), it is yet totally different and not as perfect, but still a great watch.

A must watch for anyone who enjoys a great crime movie.

My score: 9/10

What a movie! What an environment! Acting of every, even the small and limited characters act like lively. It seems I am seeing the real story not the movie. Direction, back-ground score, cinematography are excellent. Yet I am sorry about them whoever are the real victims and their families. Five children, age 8 to 12 like that, disappeared, at once, together. Story 1991, South Korea. I have seen this kind of movie, Memories of Murders, which is almost similar. Memories of Murders is one of my favorites. Children... 2001 is also now my favorites one. This movie will grip you till the last moment. You feel the same as the victims' families. You feel the same as the detectives, as the other people of the movie.

Extremely well acted and directed movie up until the LUDICROUS ending. What an insulting thing to do to this story. The filmmakers left out a CRUCIAL piece of the story - the 'evidence' which leads to the military's 'involvement'. The fabricated hollywood thriller ending of this film almost makes me sick. The filmmakers should feel great SHAME in how they ended this film. It insults the memory of the children and their families who suffered their loss. Heartbreaking tale. It's obvious the boy wandered into the military shooting base and one of was either accidentally shot OR they saw something they shouldn't have and we killed because of it. ONE person shot their rifle that day and his identity has never been revealed. IMO THIS is the culprit and until they are revealed, a HUGE injustice was done here. Very sad - and even sadder the filmmakers chose to ignore this... I haven't seen a more cowardly film in my life. It was involving right up to the end. Shameful, cowardly was to end this story. It's maddening and saddening at the same time.

Koreans have been ruling for more than a decade with their modern-style approach to the plot with a classic touch and particularly the importance they give to the screenplay and "CHILDREN" is one such example of a timeless masterpiece ... For sure one should be a typical movie buff and mature enough to understand the ground reality based on the true story ... The movie was shot with outdated look of nostalgic 90's era with honest approach to the plot that was well researched based on a unsolved crime till today...while Ki-se Hoon's camera and Kim Chang's editing stores the soul of the movie... So sit tight and experience the true aroma of cinema as it has a lot of stuff to talk.

I am a big admirer of Korean cinema. It has its distinct style of screenplay, characterization, storytelling and a definitive panache of humor. Movies like Memories of Murder, The Chaser, Mother, Voice of Murderer and Oldboy etc. There are several movies which has the cinematic tenets at its best.

Based on the true events, 'Children' depicts a case of 5 missing children in 1991. There begins a series investigations to search the children through many clues and clicks. The revelations are well timed and keep you at the edge of your seat.

The screenplay is water-tight which never loses the focus. Characterization is the key feature and it allows the viewers to connect with the characters, every character is so believable that you will feel their agony. The story has many folds and all the serendipitous discoveries are top notch.

The direction is perfect, it explores every occurrence immaculately. The desperation of media and incompetency of the police are portrayed flawlessly.

Acting is at its peak, every actor has played the part with utmost honesty and tangibility. The emotions, distress and panic of the characters are just believable.

A thriller like this is a benchmark for this genre.

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