MOVIES By Phoenix Jang

What movie?  Today, I’m going to talk about a movie called Taekguki: The Brotherhood of War.  It was released in 2004, in South Korea.  This movie was directed by Kang Je Gyu, and was written by himself, Han Ji Hun, and Hang San Don, and stared Won Bin, and Jang Dong Gun.

What is it about?  This film is about two brothers who are living a life in Seoul, South Korea. Then suddenly, against their will, they get drafted into the army because of the outbreak of the Korean War. This triggers a series of events that cause a rift two appear between the two’s distance and relationship as brothers. But in the end, the older brother sacrifices his life so the younger on can get to safty.

Where can I get this wonderful, bloody movie?  Well, there is a full version of it on YouTube. Sad the school’s internet doesn’t allow it… 

What is the main clash, and or conflict?  There are many conflicts in this movie. The biggest conflicts that are challenging the main characters’ lives is the Korean War. The cons of this are keeping the brothers under constant danger. Because of the cons, the brothers do whatever they can (even switching sides) to see each other at the end of the war.  The constant danger can lead to other cons for the main characters. One scene shows the older brother sobbing because his sibling was killed by the police and to show his rage, he joins the North Koreans. But his sibling, whom turned out to be alive, and tries stops him, but to no avail, as the older one is shot.  All of this obstacles that the younger sibling has to face, has no solutions… He just has to deal with it. Just like real war.

Do they win in the end?  Unfortunately, they do not…  The older brother dies in the end and the younger one cannot do anything about it.  That is the conclusion… Almost every single problem they face is death, and if someone dies, they just have to move on.  At least it is not like a cliché.

How are the characters represented?  As many people know, Korea was very poor back in the times of the war.  So to represent that, people are shown to wear simple silk clothing, have simple and old machinery at their disposal, and have simple jobs. (There is a scene where the brothers can’t buy a pair of leather shoes.)

My RATINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I absolutely love this movie. The reason I love it is because of pretty much everything. The acting is good, and the special effects are glittering.  The best part about it is the plot. They make the protagonists suffer, and endure, and I like it. It is very hard to come by any movies that does this.

Thank You!!!  The END