Exoticalot
People are voting emotionally.
SanEat
A film with more than the usual spoiler issues. Talking about it in any detail feels akin to handing you a gift-wrapped present and saying, "I hope you like it -- It's a thriller about a diabolical secret experiment."
Humaira Grant
It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.
ozzy_in_uk
I don't even remember how it is that I staggered across this movie. One thing is for sure, I won't forget about it in a hurry. JSA is a remarkable story about an incident where two North Korean soldiers are killed in the DMZ, and the investigation that follows. What is discovered as a result highlights that tragedy that befell upon the Korean Peninsula over fifty years ago.Skillfully directed by Park Chan-wook, who would go on to direct the "Vengence Trilogy," JSA has a female lead (Lee Young Ae), who thankfully disappears into the background when the film shifts its focus to the events that lead up to the incident where the North Koreans are killed. Lee Byung-hun and Song Kang-ho are the key performers, playing soldiers on opposite sites, whom share an unlikely first encounter, which is followed by other encounters, before a friendship between the two is formed. Ultimately, four soldiers, two from each side, become friends in a highly unusual setting, as they guard the two respective sides of the "Bridge of No Return." When the friendship is predictably discovered by an NK officer, two soldiers are killed, bringing the film to it's eventual climax. Not wanting to endanger the life of his friend on the other side, the South Korean soldier in custody for the killings gives a fabricated version of events, as does the surviving soldier on the northern side. The final meeting between the two takes place in the conference room at JSA. With the truth seemingly uncovered by the UN investigators, a final tragic truth is revealed about the shootings, which in turn leads to a tragic finale. The final scene of the film, which is a flashback, is quite moving.Overall, in spite of some minor annoyances, ie the English speaking roles, this film is one not to be missed. Whilst the investigation is not exactly rocket science, the story itself is one of friendship under extraordinary circumstances, with a strong anti-war message behind it. Korea is a complicated issue, and what this film succeeds in doing is highlighting just how tragic the consequences are in relation to the unresolved issues on the Korean peninsula. The performances by the four central characters are outstanding, particularly Song Kang-ho as the seasoned North Korean sergeant.History is written by the victor. When there is no victor, there are two different versions of history. As a result, there are consequences, and regrettably, this leads to casualties. This film is about some of those casualties.
park0725
This is one of my favorite movies despite some flaws.First, I'd like to point out for those who've watched this film after realizing it was made by the same director, Chan-wook Park (Oldboy). Please keep in mind this is one of his first films. Before this film Park was basically an unknown. You can tell that it is a low budget film. This explains the bad acting on part of the English speaking actors.Second, you must understand the background for this movie. This film is loosely based on a true incident near the border. If you think this film was 'unbelievable,' I'd like to point out that it is merely improbable, but not impossible. While the North and South Korea are still technically at war, it has been over 50 years since the war broke out. Public opinion has been changing, but even so this film was extremely controversial because it portrayed North Koreans as human beings instead of the enemy. This movie touches on an extremely sensitive subject - perhaps akin to a Jordanian-Israelite friendship story. The point of the movie is that even during war, there is always a sliver of humanity (Like the film Joyeux Noel).Third, this film is NOT homo-erotic. Many things considered 'gay' in other countries do not equate to the same things in other countries. It doesn't make Koreans any more or less homophobic as say, in the US, but there is a different definition of what is considered gay. In Korea male bonding is considered very important. Many friends consider each other as close as brothers. This is completely normal in Korean society. In fact, Lee's role as the only female cast was chosen to 'balance out' all the male relationships. While I do not agree with this decision, I am extremely glad there weren't any needless love scenes so common in movies.I urge people to understand the context of this film before watching for maximum enjoyment. The premise is incredible, the directing is good, but unfortunately the acting of foreigners and the choice of Lee prevents me from giving this film a perfect 10. Yes, it was a little melodramatic, but you should expect that from most Asian cinema. Many Asian countries have experienced extreme violence in their own land in the 20th century. 8.5/10
Schwenkstar
Chan-wook Park's most politically-charged film tackles the very volatile tension that exists between the North and South Koreans. This could have easily been propagandistic in nature, with this South Korean film portraying the Northerners as mere caricatures of Communistic ideals, but instead the film happily sidesteps this and portrays both the North Koreans and South Koreans as kinsmen.In the beginning of the picture, both sides have a skewed view of one another, seeing each through the lens of their political temperament - the border between the two thus is interpreted as a wall that filters and jades each one's perspective. However, once that that wall is finally crossed, the two sides realize that no wall really exists, and they begin to see each other as human beings - The soldiers first call one another "enemies", but soon they are calling one another "brothers".The characters are richly drawn and dynamic to reflect this - each are humans, with their own unique demeanor, and that their national identity is nothing more than a facade. While the soldiers are alone, away from their government infrastructures, both sides cling to one another in fellowship as they find themselves all the same. Only when the absent governmental element is reintroduced are the soldiers forced to revert back behind their facades, and tragedy results.A powerfully moving and keenly intelligent analysis of the confusing political situation between the two opposing governmental systems. Despite being slightly marred by a few lapses into melodrama and overstatement, that can not take away from its piercing effectiveness.The highest recommendation possible.
Claudio Carvalho
After a shootout at the common security area at the border of the two Koreas, when two soldiers were murdered, Maj. Sophie E. Jean (Yeong-ae Lee) is assigned by the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission to investigate the incident. The smart Major finds lack of consistency in the statements of the survivors, and in spite of being pressed by her superior, she interviews South Koreans Sgt. Lee Soo-hyeok (Byung-hun Lee) and private Nam Sung-shik (Tae-woo Kim), and the North Korean Sgt. Oh Kyeong-pil (Kang-ho Song), disclosing a tragic story of friendship. In the end, peace and Sgt. Oh are preserved hiding the truth in her report."Gongdong Gyeongbi Guyeok JSA" is a magnificent and touching antiwar movie. Directed by Chan-wook Park, the director of the cult "Oldboy", only now this film was released in Brazil, after the success of "Oldboy". This movie has a fantastic screenplay that keeps the interest in the impressive story until the very last scene. I was moved with the sad story of friendship between brothers in this polemic theme. The Common Security Area, created on 27 July 1953 with the armistice between the two Koreas after three years of war, and their reunification, seem to be a taboo for these peoples and I appreciate the courage of this group of excellent actors and actress in approaching such theme. In the Extras of the DVD, the cast and director give interviews about the story but never give their opinion about the reunification of these nations. The stunning cinematography and camera work are also very beautiful. My vote is nine.Yitle (Brazil): "Zona de Risco" ("Zone of Risk")
