Hwangsanbul

Just saw the movie and felt like I needed the Cliff Notes to the story. My cousin recommended the movie to me when I was in Seoul and I picked it up. He claimed it was a comedy and assured me that I'd enjoy it.

I did. The first half of it.

The comedy (when apparent) is great. The punch lines and acting are spot on and you will bust a gut. However, in the middle of the film, the picture abruptly shifts gears and somehow transforms itself into a very serious drama.

The transition is very jarring and leaves a very big hole to fill in which the movie unfortunately does nothing to remedy. Furthermore, it ends somewhat mysteriously and it left me (and my friends) w/ a very empty feeling.

Like previous viewers had previously mentioned - first half = funny. Second half = serious and somewhat flat. End = huh?

Version: Korean audio, English subtitles

What do you get when you combine Korean history with a strange mix of Monty Python and tear jerking drama? 'Hwangsanbul' sounded like a Korean version of Monty Python war / comedy, something like 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail'. I got gypped. Again. Well, at least it wasn't as bad as '2009: Lost Memories'.

'Hwangsanbul' is set in fifth century Korea, where the three Korean kingdoms of Baekche, Koguryo and Shilla bicker amongst themselves, but must pay tribute to the Tang empire in China. After a dispute about blocking trade routes, Shilla and Tang soldiers attack Baekche. The hero of Baekche is Kye-baek (Joong-Hoon Park), a rather loony fellow who must hold out against the 50,000 strong Shilla army with only 5,000 troops of his own.

'Hwangsanbul' is probably a film best suited for those well versed in Korean history. I wouldn't know, as I am not well versed in Korean history, and nor are the friends with whom I watched this. It took us a while to figure out what exactly was going on, as it is a little strange, at least to anyone without much the historical / cultural knowledge. The first half (maybe even the first two-thirds) of the film is very funny though, and a few scenes seem inspired by 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail'. If the movie had continued like that, it would have been solid gold, but there is a point where the movie turns into more of a serious drama. The film loses pace and focus, and the audience loses interest: the second half is rather boring.

'Hwangsanbul' is an average comedy at best, which is a shame because it starts off so well but fizzles out long before the end. There are some great scenes, and then there are scenes that almost dare you to turn it off before the end - 5/10

Avoid this movie if you prefer swording clashing action packed movie in the genre of Musa, Crouching Tiger, or Hero. Hwangsanbul is a comic satire based on actual event that took place prior to the unification of three kingdoms in Korea (ie. Shilla, Bakche, and Koguryo). Major part of the comic relief is built in around the regional dialogues between the three kingdoms (still prevalent in Korea today) -- and I can't imagine this humor being passed on by reading subtitles. There are some seriously funny scenes prior to the big battle, unfortunately, nothing ever becomes of it and the plots sizzles down.

I give first half of this movie an 8 out of 10, however, second half and the conclusion of the movie was disappointing with lack of closure and substance -- an overall 6/10