Jeon, Ran

The movie is set in late 16th century Korea. The movie has blended various social and political elements into a sword wielding action movie. It does make you think a bit about who is the worst of the worst: the incompetent king, invading Japanese, or the greedy noble class. However, we the audience did not sign up for a history. As mentioned in my title, if you're looking for a history lesson, please trying reading some books. No one went to see the movie "300" hoping to gain historical insights into the Spartans, did they?

Back to the movie itself. The story is very straight forward and action-driven. Is it such a unique and memorable story? No. Are there some plot holes? Sure. Personally, I had a hard time accepting the fact that the "misunderstanding" that separated the two main characters was so easily resolved at the end. Anyways, the final question is was it entertaining? The answer to that is YES! I especially liked the three-way battle in dense fog.

In summary, this movie will provide you with enough entertainment to justify your investment of 2 hours of viewing time. I give this movie a solid 7 stars. I'm also adding 2 stars to offset some of the ridiculously low scores given for reasons that seem unfair.

"Uprising" is a gripping and intense film that delves into the complexities of rebellion and the fight for freedom. Set against a backdrop of political turmoil, the movie masterfully captures the raw emotions and sacrifices of those who dare to stand up against oppression. The screenplay is well-crafted, weaving together personal stories with larger historical events, making the narrative both engaging and thought-provoking. The protagonist's journey is particularly compelling, showcasing the internal and external struggles faced by someone caught in the crossfire of revolution. Overall I think it's a well watch.

This movie follows the story of a slave named Cheon Yeong and his young master, Lee Jong-Ryeo. They grew up as companions, but a series of events turned them into enemies.

Set during the Japanese invasions of the Korean empires, the premise is simple and somewhat clichéd, yet it still holds enough promise to be a solid action movie. The early portion of the film portrays the young Cheon Yeong and Lee Jong-Ryeo well, effectively establishing their bond as they train in swordsmanship together. The shift from friendship to enmity occurs when Cheon Yeong demands his freedom and Lee Jong-Ryeo fails to secure it for him.

The story includes compelling elements, such as the revolt of the slaves, Lee Jong-Ryeo's misunderstandings fueled by rumours about Cheon Yeong, confrontations between Cheon Yeong and a Japanese general, and the conflicts faced by the rebels against the Korean king. However, the execution on screen is mediocre. The first hour flies by with no distractions, while the second hour becomes a slow burn, dragging on with clichéd character portrayals and story arcs. The climax feels unnecessarily prolonged. Nevertheless, the film's action sequences stand out, except for the climax fight.

The actors perform their roles decently, but the lack of character depth and development limits their contribution. The visual effects are impressive, enhancing the film's set pieces. The music is also effectively integrated, adding to the overall experience. If the story and character arcs had been better developed, this could have been a much more engaging action movie.

In conclusion, I appreciate the film mainly for its action scenes rather than its storyline. I would recommend it to those looking for exciting action sequences, but not for those expecting a strong narrative.

A Visually Striking but Confused Film

Uprising (2024) delivers stunning visuals and impressive fight choreography, yet it struggles with its identity. The film swings between being an action-packed spectacle and a historical drama, but never fully commits to either. This results in a movie that feels disjointed, with brutal violence often coming across as excessive, more for shock than to drive the story forward.

While the action sequences, especially the sword fights, are captivating, the plot itself is chaotic. It's easy to get lost in the non-linear timeline and convoluted character motivations. The emotional stakes feel underdeveloped, and the complex relationship between the two main characters doesn't receive the depth it deserves.

In the end, Uprising excels in style but falters in storytelling. Those seeking pure action without a deep narrative may enjoy it, but for anyone craving a cohesive plot, the film may leave them unsatisfied.

There are good things to enjoy about this. The action is well realised, the plot provides some pace and the actors make their characters come to life.

So if all that adds up to a film you might enjoy then give this a go.

However, much of it fails to ring true, meaning I never got beyond knowing this was a story made up in an attempt to entertain me. At no point were my emotions engaged in the characters. Their predicaments did not move me. Their actions and reactions carried very little weight.

Nevertheless I did gain some enjoyment from it. Keep your expectations low and you might well too.