J.S.A. - Joint Security Area (2000) Reviews
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1 out of 1 people found this review helpful I recommend watching this movie with the Korean audio and English subtitles instead of the English audio, which I think takes something away from the sentiment of the characters. The story is very ... Read More I recommend watching this movie with the Korean audio and English subtitles instead of the English audio, which I think takes something away from the sentiment of the characters. The story is very original and very realistic of wartime. Worth the rental. This is not Park Chan-Wook's best, check out Lady Vengeance for a real gem. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful I also watched this after seeing Oldboy. This is an earlier work and isn't as polished, but is still a good movie. It definetely reminded me of Basic with John Travolta which makes me wonder if ... Read More I also watched this after seeing Oldboy. This is an earlier work and isn't as polished, but is still a good movie. It definetely reminded me of Basic with John Travolta which makes me wonder if they borrowed some of the concept from this film. I would recommend watching it in the original Korean and reading the subtitles, although there is some English spoken by the female lead that is sometimes painful to listen to. I hadn't realized how much the younger generation of South Koreans are questioning the division between North and South and this film brings a lot of my pre-conceptions into question. This film is a bit slow to start and I was recommended to folow up with Shiri (sometimes called Swiri) for more action. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful An undeniable truth...Park Chan Wook is a superlative director. The cinematography in this movie is fabulous and his use of colors, angles, and images is excellent. I watched this after having ... Read More An undeniable truth...Park Chan Wook is a superlative director. The cinematography in this movie is fabulous and his use of colors, angles, and images is excellent. I watched this after having watched Oldboy, a simply mesmorizing epic. However, while Oldboy was sustained by an excellent and original plot, JSA's plot is more tedious and less captivating. Don't get me wrong: J.S.A. is still a very intriguing movie, at times poignant, at others funny, in which an important message is delivered. However, it is rather difficult to follow and is slow to start, which might put viewers off. Also, in a genre best suited to realism, the plot twists ring a little too absurd. Definitely worth a watch; nevertheless, Oldboy remains on another level. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful Director Chan-wook Park tells this story of the secret friendship between four border guards, two of which are South Korean while the other two are North Korean. The emphasis here is on the ... Read More Director Chan-wook Park tells this story of the secret friendship between four border guards, two of which are South Korean while the other two are North Korean. The emphasis here is on the potentiality of reconciliation and the destructive effects that are manifested as a result of their respective governments. The final "picture frame" scene is very powerful and will undoubtedly cause many viewers to cry. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful This movie is making me a true believer of Park Chan-wook. With Old Boy being one of my all timers, this movie may not have made that list but I did thoroughly enjoy Joint Security Area. I suggest ... Read More This movie is making me a true believer of Park Chan-wook. With Old Boy being one of my all timers, this movie may not have made that list but I did thoroughly enjoy Joint Security Area. I suggest any war or foreign film buff to give this movie a try immediately. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful This movie probably paints the easiest to understand picture of what North and South Koreans think about the realities of reunification. Good production value. The only complaint is that the Dolby ... Read More This movie probably paints the easiest to understand picture of what North and South Koreans think about the realities of reunification. Good production value. The only complaint is that the Dolby Digital 5.1 option is available only with the English dub. If you liked this movie, you'll probably like Shiri (aka, Swiri) Definitely recommended. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful I LOVE Asian Movies, I Loved "My Wife is a Gangsta 1 & 2" But THIS Movie kinda Sucks. It reminded me of the American Movie "The Box" which I totally Hated. The entire Movie consists of an ... Read More I LOVE Asian Movies, I Loved "My Wife is a Gangsta 1 & 2" But THIS Movie kinda Sucks. It reminded me of the American Movie "The Box" which I totally Hated. The entire Movie consists of an Interrogation and the whole movie dwells around accounts of one particular event. B-O-R-I-N-G!
The Cover of the Movie makes you think you are going to see an Action Movie, and it is a major dissapointment. The Babe is Beautiful, but not interesting enough to sit through an entire movie based on ONE Interrogation. Not my idea of a good time. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No |
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