Already a massive blockbuster in its native South Korea, this is a gripping, super-entertaining movie that should be played worldwide for more people to enjoy. The script is tight, the performances are very good and the action scenes are highly engaging.
The movie is slotted into the historical action movie genre although I found the historical portions to be incidental. This is a movie about warriors playing cat and mouse with each other, with the hunter and the hunted exchanging roles at every turn. This scenario is played out against the background of the second Manchu Invasion of Korea in 1636.
Nam-yi is fiercely protective of his sister Ja-in and when, on her wedding day, she is captured by the invading Manchu army, he will stop at nothing to save her. Nam-Yi is an accomplished archer and must use his entire arsenal of wits and skills to battle the equally powerful enemy, single-handedly.
Hae-il Park plays Nam-Yi, the heroic archer. Over the course of the movie he transforms from an aimless youth into the liberator of his village from the Manchu oppressors. Although a skilled archer and master tactician, this is not a man who enjoys killing and the anguish and uncertainty in his eyes when he is forced to do so elevates him from a mere warrior to the status of a true hero. It is an insightful and delightful interpretation of an action hero.
Seung-yong Ryoo is a scene stealer as Jyu Shin-Ta, the general of the Manchu forces. He is a cool, restrained, calculating commander who is struggling to maintain his composure as Nam-yi is chipping away his elite warriors (and family members) one by one. This is a marvelous portrayal of a man who is thrilled to have met his match and yet is reaching the end of his tether, frustrated by his inability to do away with the enemy.
Moon Chae-Won puts in a competent performance as the feisty and loyal Ja-in. It is a small role and she doesn’t really have much to do except ‘be there’, although the character acts as the catalyst to the plot. Min-seo Jeon plays the younger Ja-in aged about 7 years. She is utterly adorable.
Mu-Yeol Kim is Seo-Goon, Ja-in’s husband. He is extremely cute as the bumbling, love-struck lad who graduates from goofiness to glory as he leads the villagers into an uprising against the Manchus.
Gi-woong Park is Prince Doreukon, the evil Manchu invader. He has a manic grin and a delighted gleam in his eye as he bubbles over with joy while his forces sweep across Korea to victory. It is a small part, but he makes an impression. The rest of the cast is also very good.
The action scenes are the highlight of the movie. They are superbly shot and suitably thrilling and each time Nam-yi strikes bull’s-eye or escapes the enemy, you want to punch your fist in the air in joy and relief. The conflicts are brutal and often bordering on savage. The animal (death) count is high – deer, dogs, horses and tiger.
Well worth your time and money and highly recommended.
