Kundo: Min-ran-eui si-dae

This had a great balance of action with over the top martial arts in the context of corrupt Josean Empire. It was a great story, the chapters and Westernized score gave it a Tarantino flavor like a Kill Bill morning of the 1800s. The dialogue and story also had that comedic appeal that's subtle without overshadowing the action a hard balance to attain (I've seen it in the Bond Franchise, First 3 Die Hards, and Sergio Leone Classic "The Good The Bad & The Ugly". I found it Brilliant!

Best period action movie I've seen so far. With star-studded cast, badass martial arts choreography, a pinch of comedic lines, and boy Gang Dong Won as the hottest villain of the Joseon Dynasty.

I've seen a lot of good historical action films created by South Korea, but this one is on my top list. Though too late to have noticed this, I came across this film because I read Gang Dong Won's name included in the cast list. Surprised that he played the anti-hero role, but not surprise how good he is as the main antagonist. This is the first time I'm seeing a movie where I am fixated at the villain instead of the protagonist. LOL. And I am not regretting it. How could he looks so fine while delivering his inhumane lines and killing-spree moves? Not to mention (all) his fight scenes? Honestly, I was rooting for him instead of the heroes. That's how good the Gang Dong Won is. I've watch this film for 3x and still not getting over it.

A fine historical adventure film, clearly indebted to the Robin Hood story and indeed referencing ROBIN HOOD: PRINCE OF THIEVES quite openly at the end. It's much more humorous than I was expecting, an all-star-cast story of the corrupt Joseon nobility and the outlaws who team up to take them down. Laughs early on give way to wholesale slaughter at a later point, with the usual heavy emoting interspersed with well-staged action sequences. An effortless watch, as usual with Korean cinema.

Kundo is an odd but charming amalgamation of influences. While very strongly identifying itself as a martial arts film, much like The Good, the Bad, the Weird (2008) in its heart it's a western. Its hero, Dolmuchi certainly lends himself to western tropes; a downtrodden man turned outlaw seeking vengeance. Add to that a Robin Hood-esque sub-plot involving a band of larger-than-life rebels and you have yourself one of the most intriguing South Korean imports since Mother (2009).

All is not well in Joseon dynasty Korea (approximately mid-19th century). There are consistent strife between the the ruling aristocracy and the poverty stricken farmers and artisans that struggle to survive. During this time Jo Yoon (Kang) is taken from the brothel he was born in, to the house of his father (Joo) and told he is the heir to his fortune; that is until his half-brother comes along. Thus, Jo Yoon slides into all-consuming evil and claws his way back up to power after the "death" of his brother. His brother's pregnant wife (Kkobbi) avoids harm so Jo Yoon hires a lowly butcher Dolmuchi (Ha) to finish the job. Dolmuchi refuses and his family is killed as a result. Thus the game of good and evil is set with Dolmuchi siding with a team of bandits who steal from the rich to give to the poor.

Members of the the gang of bandits are introduced with flashy tile cards while riding in the saddle which emulates the slap-dash styling that defined Sergio Leone's most iconic westerns. You get a very clear sense of the personality of the bandits from the get-go and director Jong-Bin Yin wisely uses this short hand so we feel invested in their fate while concentrating solely on the struggles, both internal and external, of Jo Yoon and Dolmuchi. Dong-Won Kang is rapturous with his calm, concise words and demeanor. The concubine's son turned nobleman wears white and darts with the steady grace of a samurai yet his preening has a very dark and sinister side. Meanwhile Jung-Woo Ha's Dolmuchi is as coarse as a bag of rice with his constant swearing and Fairbanksian swagger. Despite receiving a burn on his head after the death of his family, Dolmuchi keeps a sense of humor and takes relish in relieving noblemen from their top knots. The commonality between the two is a seething anger that threatens to undo their progress.

Despite it's epic sweep and solid acting, Kundo may ultimately have trouble putting butts in the seats due to its fighting sequences. The fights are well choreographed don't get me wrong, but there's nothing that stands out apart from perhaps the final showdown. Even then Jo Yoon is put at so much of a disadvantage one can't help but speculate that if he had the use of all his limbs and faculties he would once again be able to easily defeat Dolmuchi. In addition there are some scenes that seem to conflict in tone with one another for no apparent reason. Then again it might just be a product of film grammar from another culture I have yet to truly understand.

All in all though, Kundo is a riveting Korean epic with a story that rivals the best of western mythology. There is some strong character work and directorial choices that sets it apart from others of its ilk and while the fighting scenes were short of spectacular, the bandits and their unique skills sets stop them from becoming monotonous.

Lemme just say first off that anytime I sit down to watch Korean cinema I have to expect the unexpected. As anyone who has watched a Korean film should know these films do not follow any particular formula like a typical hollywood film. No nice package with a nice bow here. Predictable happy ending? Look elsewhere fan. And that's why Korean cinema is so fascinating to me. Creative, engrossing, dark, and always unpredictable.