dragynfaerie
USA
Somewhat disappointing
I've been waiting for this movie since it was announced. I'm a big fan of pirates (blame Robert Louis Stevenson). I love a great swashbuckling adventure. I'm still waiting.
The story was nothing new. In movies and TV pirates seek treasure. That's what they do, so I wasn't expecting much on that front. It's in the telling and what happens from point A to point B that makes the story worthwhile. Given the period, they attempted to bring in something(s) about Goryeo, but I didn't find it particularly interesting or believable. The special effects are great. I can't complain about the production at all. It's the lacklustre script, recycled lines, and all around poor writing that I have an issue with.
The cast was good. Lee Kwang Soo (and to some extinct Kim Sung Oh) may have been cast for comic relief, but Kang Ha Neul was laugh out loud funny. I have much love and respect for Lee, Kim and Kang, but this movie did them no favors. I think all 3 are phenomenal actors, however, LKS and KSO's talents were wasted. It seems to me they only cast LKS due to his betrayer character from Running Man. I wouldn't have blinked had Yoo Jae Suk made some kind of cameo. LKS does really well branching out and getting different roles in movies. My fear is that this one will set him back. KSO was just underutilized from start to finish. The rest of the cast including the female lead was fine.
The music was actually pretty good. It led to the suspense. The rewatch is maybe a 4. I'm not a rewatcher, but this is also had English dubs and I may check it out.
Overall, I would only recommend this to someone looking to pass 2 hours. Or just looking at something they truly don't have to think about. Like I said the effects are very good. And it is an adventure (and a comedy). If I had to compare it to another movie, I'd say Pirates of Penzance minus the singing rather than Pirates of the Caribbean (and it's definitely not Treasure Island). I'd say watch it if you love someone(s) in the cast. Watch it if you're just wanting to watch something. Do not watch it if you're looking for a grand adventure with pirates that look more likely to break out into a jaunty ditty than stab and steal your gold.
The story was nothing new. In movies and TV pirates seek treasure. That's what they do, so I wasn't expecting much on that front. It's in the telling and what happens from point A to point B that makes the story worthwhile. Given the period, they attempted to bring in something(s) about Goryeo, but I didn't find it particularly interesting or believable. The special effects are great. I can't complain about the production at all. It's the lacklustre script, recycled lines, and all around poor writing that I have an issue with.
The cast was good. Lee Kwang Soo (and to some extinct Kim Sung Oh) may have been cast for comic relief, but Kang Ha Neul was laugh out loud funny. I have much love and respect for Lee, Kim and Kang, but this movie did them no favors. I think all 3 are phenomenal actors, however, LKS and KSO's talents were wasted. It seems to me they only cast LKS due to his betrayer character from Running Man. I wouldn't have blinked had Yoo Jae Suk made some kind of cameo. LKS does really well branching out and getting different roles in movies. My fear is that this one will set him back. KSO was just underutilized from start to finish. The rest of the cast including the female lead was fine.
The music was actually pretty good. It led to the suspense. The rewatch is maybe a 4. I'm not a rewatcher, but this is also had English dubs and I may check it out.
Overall, I would only recommend this to someone looking to pass 2 hours. Or just looking at something they truly don't have to think about. Like I said the effects are very good. And it is an adventure (and a comedy). If I had to compare it to another movie, I'd say Pirates of Penzance minus the singing rather than Pirates of the Caribbean (and it's definitely not Treasure Island). I'd say watch it if you love someone(s) in the cast. Watch it if you're just wanting to watch something. Do not watch it if you're looking for a grand adventure with pirates that look more likely to break out into a jaunty ditty than stab and steal your gold.
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