Chang-gwol

Let's face it - zombie movies nowadays are a dime a dozen. A lot of them look like they were only budgeted a dime! But this one obvious had a decent budget, which is a good start. But the most novel thing about this zombie movie is that it's not only Korean, but it's set in medieval times. That certainly gives this effort a novel air around it, and it helps to get though some of the problems to be found. The movie seems to assume its audience knows about Korean history and culture, but I can't really blame the movie for being murky in those areas. , since the movie was aimed at a Korean audience. The core storyline does have a few minor confusing plot points, but the biggest problem with the movie is that the first half moves really slowly, with endless dialogue and precious little zombie action. However, things do improve with the second half of the movie, where the zombie action suddenly bursts forth and runs... well... rampant until the very end. All of this rampant zombie action is pretty well done, and it makes it worth sticking through the movie's very slow first half. Obviously with the problems that I mentioned, this isn't among the very best efforts of the whole zombie genre, but zombie fans should find it all the same worth a look.

Koreans know how to make movies. They definitely have their own style, especially for Asian movies. Not much overacting like Asians tend to do. Chang-Gwol (Rampant) is worth a watch if you like zombie movies. It's not the best Korean zombie movie that I ever watched (that would be Busanhaeng (Train To Busan)) but for this genre it has it's place. The major problem to me is that it was a bit too long. I think with a shorter story it would be more effective. Nonetheless the zombies were pretty creepy, not perfect as their speed varied from super fast to slow when needed in the story. To me those are details but they have to be perfect. In Busanhaeng the zombies have a constant speedy chase what makes it look all more realistic and it adds to the thrills. Nevertheless Chang-Gwol is worth a watch.

Train to Busan and Kingdom are better. So only watch this if you want to see Hyun Bin in a zombie movie. It's quite grandly produced but the story isn't that good and it's not as exciting. Perhaps it's because I watched Kingdom first and that is better. It's not fair to compare a series with a movie but this movie felt like it lacked cohesion.

I love Korean films n Train to Busan is my fav zombie film. Well, this is not as good as Train to Busan but nonetheless it is better than most zombie films produced left right n centre in Hollywood.

A prince returns home upon hearing that his elder brother has taken his own life. While the king is busy with his concubines n the minister of military plotting to overthrow the dynasty, our prince has to face assassins, rebels, cries of poor peasants n hordes of demons (hybrid between zombies n vampires). The demons r fast, terrifying n downright creepy. The cinematography is top notch n the action scenes involving the sword fights r awesome. There is tons of decapitations, slicing of arms, legs, etc. but the gore is restrained. The prison escape scene with the demons behind is pretty tensed n frightening.

I love South Korean films (and a lot of other Asian countries films) and I am a fanatical Film Buff in general; but I am not a critic. With that said, nobody needs to be a self imposed critic of this mass Zombie rampage film!

Set in the medeival times of a Josean Korean royal palace/city RAMPANT is a Sword & Horde zombie slasher. It reminded me of the 1974 film, 'Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires', that starred Peter Cushing, David Chiang and Julie Ege; except that dealt with vampires. The film concept is a good idea and what we get to see is a totally enjoyable film that, delivers everything you/me/we expect in Zombie slasher films. Of course its nowhere near as good as 'Train To Busan' (let us be truthful here...will any Korean Zombie film ever surpass that masterpiece?) but, its presenting the Zombie story from a totally different look. There are no oscar winning performances, just good solid acting with bits of humour and lots of frights & bites action. You know how it will end because...well...you just do! The fun is in the watching of everything in-between it all. Simply put this is ...Fantastic Film Fun for Fans of the genre!