Taegukgi / The Brotherhood of War
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"I can't realize that this movie has a director because I was fooled enough that this movie is real and caught-by-the-act. Amazing! " -DS
Profile
Movie: Taegukgi / The Brotherhood of War
Revised romanization: Taegukgi hwinalrimyeo
Hangul: 태극기 휘날리며
Director: Kang Je-Gyu
Writer: Kang Je-Gyu, Han Ji-Hoon,Kim Sang-Don
Producer: Choi Jin-Hwa, Lee SE-Ho, Lee Sung-Hoon, Jung Ji-Hoon, Hwang Gyun-Jung, Oh Jung-Hyun, Kim Kyoung-Mok
Cinematographer: Hong Gyeong-Pyo
Release Date: February 6, 2004
Runtime: 140 min.
Genre: War / Drama / Brothers /Period-1950
Distributor: Showbox/Mediaplex
Language: Korean
Country: South Korea
Plot
Jin-Tae (Jang Dong-Kun) and Jin-Seok (Won Bin) are brothers who are unwillingly drafted into the South Korean army following the outbreak of the Korean War in June 1950. Meanwhile, Jin-Tae's fiance Young-Shin (Lee Eun-Ju) joins the communist party to get food for the rest of her family.
Jin-Tae, the stronger of the two brothers, vows to keep his weaker younger brother Jin-Seok safe from any danger. After a military official promises to send Jin-Seok home if Jin-Tae wins a medal of honor, Jin-Tae begins to fight without fear ... (http://asianwiki.com/Taegukgi)
Cast
 |  |  |  |
| Jang Dong-Gun | Won Bin | Lee Eun-Ju | Choi Min-Sik |
| Lee Jin-Tae | Lee Jin-Seok | Kim Young-Shin | North Korean commander |
Review
The story is very unpredictable! But I initially assumed that Jin-tae (Jang Dong-Gun) will die because its he who Jin-seok (Won Bin) was searching for since post-war. What makes the story line unique is that their brotherhood was tested under a country war, while having their 'war' as brothers. Their trust in each other was also challenged. It seemed that Jin-seok was the first who believed that he can't trust his brother anymore because he thought that his brother don't care for him, since his brother started to gain promotions and medals. The film showed that Jin-tae is the one who loved his brother since then and he will do everything for him at any cost. I cannot blame why Jin-seok hated his brother. For they were in a war, and they were fighting for the country and victory, everything must change, even their relationship as brothers. It was shown when the movie repeatedly said that they feel 'cold' because of the weather or something. It also means that their relationship is getting cold. Their brotherhood was confused because of their priorities and goals: Jin-tae joins every attack for his brother to come back home while Jin-seok wants him to stop fighting and stay with him.
The movie has many intentional scenes that must be in. The ice lollipop symbolizes the love of Jin-tae to his brother, as well as the leather shoes, the chocolate and the pen he gave to Jin-seok. Jin-tae is selfless. A real character of a brother.
Since Jin-seok is younger than him, his role stayed as being the immature younger kid to emphasize the might and dominance of his brother. The movie repeatedly portrayed that Jin-seok is weak. Jin-tae said to their late father that his brother got sick and wished a good health for his brother. He also wants to be with Jin-seok in the war because he will teach him defending himself. So, his brother really took care of him.
The movie is tragic and bloody but it has the best set design ever. Thousands of war men, booming bombs and the sounds of guns did the trick. This movie really brought me to Korean war. I just realized that Korea was a wreck before and was glorified now by the democracy fought by the mighty Korean men. The good thing in Korean movies as always is the fusion of culture, history, and an specific genre in creating a world-class project.
The editing is clean. The cinematography is perfect than ever. When the shot is 'war', the camera must be shaky and thrilling. I can't realize that this movie has a director because I was fooled enough that this movie is real and caught-by-the-act. Amazing! I also thought that this movie was based on a true story, since Korean War is real.
I find myself shedding tears when Jin-tae can't recognize Jin-seok in the climax because he was fooled by his thoughts that his brother is dead, until he recognized it. The best part of the movie was when Jin-tae killed his fellow soldiers just to give way for his brother to come back home, then sacrificing his life. Such a real love.
I would like to recommend this to all who has siblings and whose finding the meaning of true selfless love and care.
This is highly recommended. This movie is better than some action movies.
My ratings:
Direction: 9
Storyline: 10
Emotional Impact: 9
Set Design: 10
Uniqueness: 10
Editing: 9
Overall: 9.5 ★★★★
-DS
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ReplyDeleteCouldn't be more agree with you. This movie is awesome. I didnt't skip any part of it because all of them is worth to watch. Even the brutality of Jin Tae when he smashed a commander's head by stone. I also love your statement said you almost forget this movie has a director. Lol
ReplyDeleteI could hardly breathe, I couldn't stop crying when the brothers finally came face-to-face at the climax when Jin-seok was begging his brother Jin-tae to go with him--the lines of Jin-seok reminding Jin-tae their family, their plans. Jin-tae HAS to go with him.
ReplyDeleteI also thought this movie was based on true story.
It was a perfect family, war movie. ;-)