Musa - (The Warrior)

[SolomonGrundy]

Just bought this DVD on a wim and have read some raving reviews. Haven't watched it yet.

Heroic Cinema

Musa at HKflix

Anyone else seen this film?

 

[Crimson_Dynamo]

it's a korean movie................suppose to be like braveheart

 

[Danger Mouse]

It's good. Have seen it. If you're looking for bizarre over-the-rooftops, suspended-on-air kung-fu, you'll be disappointed. This movie's fight scenes are more reality based. But it's more of an historical drama than an action movie.

There are some memorable fight scenes in it, though. Watch out for the village bully scene - quite graphic. Would tell you about it, but you might not appreciate the spoiler.

Go watch it already!

 

[SolomonGrundy]

Done and done.

Watched it last night. It was really good. I'd say that it was the oppiste of what you said Danger Mouse and say it is more of an Action film disguised as a historical drama like Jackie Chan's "Drunken Master 2" But it's definitely not light-hearted or a fantasy piece like "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon".
Lots of great battles and quite grousome blood letting. No massive battle scenes with 1000 extras but that's really not the story they're telling. I'd say "Braveheart" does come to mind but really the stories are completely different. No lofty "fighting for our freedom" type stuff. Just a group of betrayed people trying to make it home with some dignity. It's also more of an ensemble piece. A General, a Soldier and a Slave. Of course this slave happens to be a highly skilled spear wielder. And then of course the lovely Zhang Ziyi as the princess who... I won't give anymore away. Everyone is great in their roles and I won't say who was my favorite as it might spoil the end.

It's a shame that this never recieved a theatrical release here in the states. It amazes me that films like these are shoved into the direct to DVD shelf when films like Gladiator and Last Samurai (Inferior films - IMO) actually win awards.

I was slightly disapointed by some of the subtitles being broken english and the fact that some of them go by lighting fast. ..And I do have to agree that the pop song does ruin a great "moment".

Not the most spectacular film or anything, don't want to hype it too much. But definitely a great evening.

 

[Danger Mouse]

Originally posted by SolomonGrundy
Done and done.

Watched it last night. It was really good. I'd say that it was the oppiste of what you said Danger Mouse and say it is more of an Action film disguised as a historical drama like Jackie Chan's "Drunken Master 2" But it's definitely not light-hearted or a fantasy piece like "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon".
Lots of great battles and quite grousome blood letting. No massive battle scenes with 1000 extras but that's really not the story they're telling. I'd say "Braveheart" does come to mind but really the stories are completely different. No lofty "fighting for our freedom" type stuff. Just a group of betrayed people trying to make it home with some dignity. It's also more of an ensemble piece. A General, a Soldier and a Slave. Of course this slave happens to be a highly skilled spear wielder. And then of course the lovely Zhang Ziyi as the princess who... I won't give anymore away. Everyone is great in their roles and I won't say who was my favorite as it might spoil the end.

It's a shame that this never recieved a theatrical release here in the states. It amazes me that films like these are shoved into the direct to DVD shelf when films like Gladiator and Last Samurai (Inferior films - IMO) actually win awards.

I was slightly disapointed by some of the subtitles being broken english and the fact that some of them go by lighting fast. ..And I do have to agree that the pop song does ruin a great "moment".

Not the most spectacular film or anything, don't want to hype it too much. But definitely a great evening.

Excellent review! Come to think of it, I agree to what you said about it being an action movie disguised as a historical drama. And most definitely a better movie (content and action both) compared to Gladiator and Last Samurai. It deserves at least a nomination for best foreign movie. If there is such a thing as an Global Movie Awards, Musa will definitely give Hollywood epic movies in the veins of Gladiator, Last Samurai and Braveheart a run for their money. In the end it won't probably win, but it'll be a tough fight.

My favourite scenes:

1) As mentioned earlier, the "HERE'S IN YOUR FACE" village bully. Gruesome, to say the least.

2) The final seige.

 

[Wolfwood]

I saw this movie about a week ago on a recommindation from a friend and I gotta say I was blown away. The action was great, but the drama was just perfect. Although, I too had a problem with the subtittles. Ah well.

I have to say that the General was my favorite character and in those last minutes before the end of the movie, he was just incredible.

Favorite scene:

Spoiler

When Yeosel saves the princess by throwing his spear into the forehead of her capture.

BTW, did you guys think that the sergeant (forget his name right now) looked like Tommy Lee Jones?

 

[Crimson_Dynamo]

I heard of this movie about a year ago. I am half-Korean, so I wanted to buy some movies from the "motherland" lol..........but I didn't buy Musa until I knew of some people who actually saw it....and I bought it this past week and I have to say, it is perhaps one of the best movies in my collection. I've seen several Korean movies, and this one is the best by far. If the filmmakers
there can keep making beautiful movies like this, they could some day compete pretty good with Hong Kong.

The action was pretty gruesome, but hey, it's reality base so it made the movie that much better.

The subtitles were like you said, broken and sometimes a bit to fast.

Zhang Ziyi was beautiful like always.

I like the score.

The slave is my favorite character.....silent but violent.

I think my favorite scene is the confrontation in the forrest and the final battle.

The cinematography was really awesome too.

I wish the dvd could've had some sort of extra features...even if they were in Korean/Chinese.

Lates

 

[SolomonGrundy]

Region 2 PAL discs have an extra "Behind the Scenes" disc. But the movie itself was has been edited to exclude some animal cruelty. Tripping of horses and such. (It's just a movie, Sheesh!)

But...

The Region 3 disc from Korea itself contains the original cut of the film. 154 mintues as compared to the Hong Kong (US) - 130 minute cut. Some say the cuts made the film tighter, Others say what was cut, was important. This one also has an extras disc but it's all in Korean. Only the film has English subtitles.

But all that is moot if you don't have a Region Free DVD Player. If you don't. Save up that pocket change an get one. They're definitely worth it.

Now if only the greedy movie companies (I'm talking to you Disney!) would let people sell the foreign versions of DVDs online I'd be livin' large.

 

[C. Lee]

I thought I would bring this discussion back up...it's a great movie.

Over a year ago I bought the DVD that was released here in America. It was titled "Musa; the Warrior"...was 130 minutes long....and was subtitled only (no dubbing). It's as the others have said...a very bloody, graphic, violent movie...but excellent.

I recently saw a new version was out at the stores (it was dubbed, title was changed to just "The Warrior", and was 133 minutes long) and bought it. It's still a great movie. For those not put off by the graphic violence...I highly recommend it.