I'm mixed about this one, honestly. As far as Korean cinema goes, this is a decent one, important for the Korean film industry as it was another big-budget-esque sweeping epic, (though one of the first for its fantasy style) and was a hit in Korea. If "Shiri" announced to the world that Korean cinema was a world player, "JSA," "Tell Me Something" and this, "Bichunmoo" solidified that sentiment.
But a film does not necessarily work because of these facts. The simple matter is that "Bichunmoo" isn't anything too special. Sure, there "Crouching Tiger" comparisons come into play, but honestly, even without having to be in "CTHD's" shadow, Bichunmoo still wouldn't be all that great.
The story revolves around Jinha, a young man who grows to be one of the greatest warriors of his time, and his love for a woman. As chance may have it, complications arise, and they're separated, in which time she learns to move on with her life, and he adopts a new name, and identity.
The account above is a very crude and general overview of the story. In actuality, the story is much more complicated. Yes, he adopts a new name, but there are other things at play; Mongol Forces, Anti-Mongol Forces, the girl's husband and children, and the protagonists partners as well as his ex-but-may-not-quite-be rival.
And this is where the cracks start to show. The film is very, VERY busy. Too much occurs, too quickly. Yes, Korean filmmakers are told almost by necessity to cut down the running times (in order to get more showings in) but this is ludicrous. The film moves at an amazingly brisk pace, that more then once, I was confused. It also doesn't help that a very crucial and important scene is cut out of the print I watched which states that Jinha has changed his name, introduces two major characters, informs us that he's sided with anti-Mongol forces, gives an outline of the group's attack, and explains who the hell those guys that are fighting with Jinha are. Had these been retained, I as well as many others would not have been as confused.
And in moving this quickly, much of the attention is lost, and one never cares for the characters. The two characters in love received no sympathy from me, and I became so restless that I was tempted to fastforward to the next fight scene.
But anyhow, but fight scenes, choreography, and cinematography all are excellent. They are not polished, but I believe this was intentional. The film does not rival by any means the best Hong Kong martial swordplay films, but they are well done, nonetheless.
All in all, Bichunmoo is an entertaining film, but not a great film. It left me feeling a bit hollow, and as stated earlier, attempts to accomplish too much. Had they split the movie into two, and taken their time with the story, it would have been much better.
