Warriors of the Dawn (2017)

I stumbled across this title watching a youtube video about 2017 Korean movies. I almost didn't watch it because of the previous reviewer. However, like life - we all have different prospectives. What made me rate this a solid "9" was the adaptation of a story focusing on two central characters - Prince Gwanghae and the team of loyalist fighting for the survival of their country. There was no CGI just pure natural scenery and the cinematography was excellent. The fighting didn't require wire work - just your realistic fighting during war and conflict. When added to the cause and effect of their budding relationships out of necessity, the writer and director solidly weaved the growth of both characters - the team and the prince. Loyalty is what this drama is about -- what are you willing to die for? What do you believe in? The people of Korean ancestry have made lots of sacrifices to call themselves Koreans and this drama is just a small recollection of the past challenges faced. When I cry at the end - I know I know I have been moved -- and I was deeply moved by the synergy of two classes under pressure.

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This movie is definitely not a saga. It captures just an episode of Gwanghae-gun life and dramatizes it. Tho it includes action and war, the focus of this movie is how the soft-hearted prince turns to be strong leader who embraces his task.
The beginning is fast, and it becomes slower before the climax. It left enough impression for me to think about the story throughout the night after watching it.
It based on real event but this movie works more on personal relationship between the characters. At the end, if you ask for historical reference movie, then this is not for you.
I, personally, like this kind of movie. It is interesting how they potrayed war in 3 points of view. The king and his courts who supposed to become frontliners but ended running away, the Prince who never knew about anything outside the palace, and the group of people who supposed to be protected but becomes the guards of borders. And when they all meet, it becomes idealism vs reality.

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