Destruction finale

It not only is a disaster movie, it is also part comedy. The CGI, and there is a lot of it, it decent and the movie is not sloppy. But it seems Korean movies have to throw in a lot of subplots, and this is no exception. A major volcano erupts, followed by a major earthquake. In the country is an American scientist who is studying the mountain, and he points out below the magma chamber that erupted, there are two smaller ones, but below those is a huge magma chamber, and it is erupts, it will be devastating for the entire peninsula. His plan is to detonate a powerful bomb placed in one of the mining shafts in the mountain which will divert the pressure that is building. Of course, since he cannot guarantee success, it is rejected. Also, it would require nuclear bombs, and it so happens there are six nuclear warheads in North Korea that are about to be surrendered to the US making the peninsula nuclear free. But someone believes in him, and an off the books operation is mounted. Two planes, one with commandos and one with the scientists. En route, one plane crashed, leaving the scientists to do the mission. Naturally, the person who knows where the warheads is Ri, a North Korean held in prison. So he has to be liberated, taken to where the warheads are. And the US gets wind of the operation, and is determined to stop it. And the subplots only are getting started. Still, it is entertaining enough.

While the movie is pretty typical for a volcano disaster movie goes, there's a lot of things going on in it. The whole is mostly a group of solider trying to get uranium bomb to prevent another disaster. I don't know if it's possible to get it from North Korea and if it going to work at all. They try to cramp in a lot of things into it like the disaster scenes, the military action, and minor side plot that goes nowhere interesting. The disaster scenes are done pretty good with how much tension it goes to it and the CGI looks pretty decent for it. The characters aren't really that bad, but aren't that memorable. This is a decent watch.

So, after the Korean take on the zombie genre, we now get the big disaster popcorn movie. The basic plot is what you'd expect: Big Bad Thing happens, but Even Worse Thing will happen if the heroes and scientists can't save the day by a dangerous mission. Luckily, the movie still provides many of the factors that make Korean cinema so entertaining. There is almost effortlessly good character chemistry(an art big Hollywood flicks seems to have lost somewhere along the way). There are the big sentimental brush strokes. There is a brisk pace and some twists and turns, and the added factors of the US military, North Korea, and some marvelously sleazy Chinese add some complexity and real world problems apart from the volcano itself. The heroes are ragtag and humorously flawed(another fun factor Hollywood has done away with in the age of Dwayne Johnson chiseled supermen), and hurtle along as best they can without ever really being in control of the situation.

Now, being a popcorn flick it obviously won't reach the amazing heights that Korean arthouse cinema spoils us with. Most notably, there are some bits where the editing is a bit rough, and some transitions are so abrupt it's chuckle-worthy. And plot, as mentioned, does not stray too far from your usual disaster movie formula.

But those small flaws doesn't stop Ashfall from remaining entertaining throughout, and isn't that what a good action movie should do? Definitely worth a watch.

This disaster plus action movie is exciting from big disaster scene near the beginning to the very end. The effects are as good as any Western blockbuster and the battle sequences are exciting and well choreographed. The characters are funny and quite endearing. The story is more complex than expected with a good amount of humour and some political subplot involving nukes North South China and US. Good use of some big name Korean stars. Worth a watch.

Do you have horrible time management and feel overwhelmed with all the movies you could be watching? You're in luck, my friend! Ashfall is like watching 6 movies at once! What begins as a standard disaster movie, with separated spouses and buildings collapsing in San Andreas style, ends with thriller twists, buddy cop comedy and family dramas.

Wow, thanks Ashfall!