The Restless

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

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.

This is not gonna be a long and well written review, I'm sorry.

But i will tell you why I loved it and why you might love it.

First of, I love these Asian fantasy movies for many reasons. They are mostly set in a world unheard of in other places, and the story something very different than any Hollywood movie.

Before seeing the movie, I actually came across the soundtrack made by Shiro Sagisu. (Who also made the music for Casshern). And I came to the conclusion that it was the best soundtrack made by his hands.

Then came the chance to see the movie. And i hadn't seen much from it before, except a couple of trailers. And with it being in Korean and with no subs i only got the standard plot.

Hero loves woman. Woman is in trouble. Evil man makes threats. Hero saves the day?

But after 20 minutes I was already gladly surprised of the plot. Something "I" had not seen before. And I'm not gonna tell you what it was, since i think the surprise makes the movie even better. The movie is filled with amazing scenery and visuals that couldn't be much better. It's not over packed with fights. But the fights there do count.

There is a bit of "flying/floating" martial arts as in almost every classic Kung fu movie. And even though i don't care much for that, it did seam to fit the movie.

Will it fall in your taste?

Have you seen Casshern or Goemon? If so, and they pleased you. I don't see why you should not at least enjoy it, if not love it as i did. It has very similar elements and feeling to it. (still not as dark as Casshern).

I would have given this movie a 10/10, but went with 9/10 for two reasons. 1. That given it a max will feel a bit to cliché and would make people expect it to be polished with gold. 2. One of the main characters, (The damsel in distress) was kinda annoying at times and looked like she was gonna cry every second. But then again its all about the cruelty and emotion they try to express in these movies.

pewww!. . .

Sorry it got a bit longer than i had planed. Hope you forgive me for the bad grammar and enjoy the movie if you decide to watch it. Have fun.

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!

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