Shin ge jeon - The Divine Weapon

Shin ge Jeon - The Divine Weapon
2008
Korea
Starring:  Jae-yeong Jeong, Eun-jeong Han, and Jun-ho Heo

We all know that China invented gunpowder right?  So this wonderful invention that for centuries in written history did nothing but flash Korea found a way to turn into a propellant.  Korea developed the first rocket propelled arrows.

This movie is a great movie detailing the formulation of a weapon and what it can take out of a family and a nation when one is on the right path of destruction.

Between the development of the fire arrow, martial arts, Korean period outfits, and a decent story I really have to say I enjoyed this movie.  Korean movies are a little difficult to follow sometimes, but this one was worth the effort.  I learned quite a bit about what modern weaponry developed from by watching this movie and I truly just enjoyed the story itself!

I recommend this movie for anyone that is a weapons or martial arts fan; sure there are some slow parts, but it's not that bad if you love the first two qualifiers.  Korea did historically create advanced weapons from gunpowder anyway.  This movie was both entertaining if you dig Korean cinema and insightful in a slightly historic way.  No matter what you're after this movie was cool.

Quote:  "We'll test the Grand Singijeon in the morning, then it will all be over."

Cheon Gun - Heaven's Soldiers

Cheon Gun (Heaven's Soldiers) 2005

Heaven's Soldier's, from Korea, is surrounded by quite a bit of speculation.  This movie while produced by South Korea is viewed by much of the world as a plea for a unified Korea.  This speculation might have been lost in translation, but I can understand how it might have been inferred.

After a super secret meeting between North & South Korea and a nuclear weapon is stolen.  After some cosmic events this weapon is transported back in time by pure coincidence - along with a small group of special forces troops which were firing at each other prior to traveling through time.

One of the first people the team comes into contact with is a figure of extreme historical significance who instead of being the valiant conqueror/protector is a petty thief and beggar.  The North Korean troops are deluded enough to believe that this great figure is part of the ruling line of their country while South Korea reinforces how that is impossible.  From that point on there are many pokes at North Korea by the South Korean troops.

This movie was filmed fairly well.  There are also many parts of the movie that made me laugh.  The fights between the future troops and invading barbarians of the past were done well.  There's one part of the movie, a scene where a claymore blows up that is a must see.  Cheon Gun makes it in my list of to see movies as one of those you put a number on and wait for the day when you have plenty of time.  It is entertaining and it does give some very slight insight into the relationship between the Koreas.