Jeon, Ran

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.

Admittedly not perfect, as it goes quite over the top with the depicted villainy of certain characters, and does a less than stellar job of showing why exactly both main characters are friends. But a very good film overall and one that will be enjoyed moreso by those already invested in the genre.

Great fight choreography, good cinematography, and all-around entertaining. Pacing could use some work for sure, and the plot is coherent if not spectacular. This is a film that leans more towards style than substance at its core. More impressively, it does so without egregious usage of CGI. Two hours well-spent, I'd say.

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.

Uprising is an enjoyable movie with a beautiful setting and good acting. The story isn't necessarily unique however works well and is easy to digest. There's some cgi but it's used minimally and isn't completly hard to look at. This film would have probably worked better as a tv series as it's very fast paced. This can cause you to lose elements of the story if not paying full attention. The action is fun, creative and gruesome. The actors are what makes this movie most enjoyable as they are all exceptional at conveying their characters stories. If you're bored and don't know what to watch uprising is good enough to cure that boredom.

"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.