Movielogr

Kundo: Age of the Rampant (2014)

Directed by Yoon Jong-bin

Most recently watched by sensoria

Overview

In 1862, amidst the rule of the late Joseon dynasty in Korea, a band of fighters named Kundo rise against the unjust authorities.

Length 137 minutes

Actors

Viewing History (seen 2 times)


Date Viewed	Device	Format	Source	Rating
08/04/2020	TV	Streaming	Video on Demand	7.5 stars
08/29/2014	Movie Screen	Digital	Theater	7 stars
				(Average) 7.25 stars

Viewing Notes

Very much a western in an eastern framing including the spaghetti western score. It’s kinda like Outlaw Josey Wales / Pale Rider meets Seven Samurai or The Magnificent Seven set in 1800s Korea. A group of goodhearted outlaws led by a Buddhist monk do Robin Hood deeds by stealing and condemning the rich and corrupt politicians then giving back to the poor.

Peasant butcher Dochi (Ha Jeong-woo) becomes the main thrust of the story as a failed task for the tyrant Master Jo Yoon (Kang Dong-won) leads to Dochi joining the bandit outlaws. From there the movie really accelerates. Master Jo is so skilled I kept wondering when he was trained and how he got to be that good, literally leagues better than anyone else in his fighting and swordsmanship. Really excellent villain.

Solid movie on most accounts and beautifully shot. Not crazy about the heavy editing around the action scenes particularly the close quarters fighting. Really wish they used longer takes but it’s probably more to do with using actors that really aren’t martial artists. Quick editing can make them all look like amazing fighters.

Still an enjoyable watch esp. on the big screen. I’m getting used to being the only non-Korean in audience. I always get that look, “who is that guy and why is he here?”

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