The Huntresses (2014)

This movie really leans more towards the genre of 'typical action movie' than the sageuk genre - it doesn't put itself in a specific time of Korean history and incorporates modern weaponry. Even the filmmaking style feels really contemporary. I also like the incorporation of an emotional element and character backstory.

As for the cast, Ha Ji Won, being the consummate action star and the main star of this movie, does a really good job in the action side of things, and the emotional side of things. Kang Ye Won was OK and played the requisite doofus of the trio. Of the three angels, Ga In's character is the smallest so she had minimal time to show off her acting chops. I've only watched her in Dream High so far. She was OK I guess.

In short, a pretty straightforward female-focused brainless action movie in a sageuk context.

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Funny movie with Charlie’s Angels vibes, kickass but not serious heroines and a deranged villain that was shooting for a solid 6 rating.

Shame about the black face.

I don’t care how good your movie is folks, or when it’s from or where it’s from. Racism is now and always has been gross and I don’t want to see it in my entertainment.

If you want to watch something like this that ISN’T racist I recommend the drama Good Casting! It does feature a very annoying secondary romance but I’ll take irritating man baby over out & proud racism any day of the week.

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South Korea's Charlie's Angels

Okay don’t go in expecting a masterpiece, this is basically South Korea’s Charlies’ Angels… if they had yo-yo’s and stressball grenades. And if it was set in the 19th century. And starring a real-life kpop diva.

But for what it’s worth, I enjoyed this. It’s cheesy as hell but when you have 3 charming girls like this kicking ass flying on wires and swinging metal yo-yo’s around the place while delivering heavy-handed dialogue, I’m in awe as to how exactly a movie like this got made.
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Stunts - 58/100 | Lots of cutting around to hide the CGI and stunts of average quality.

Narrative - 65/100 | Okay I may be getting a little generous on this one. But I didn’t mind the cheesy storyline so yeah. 65 it is. I liked the gender-reversed situation at play here, with the rescue operation.

Fight Choreography - 64/100 | They’re using yo-yo’s to seriously hurt people. And swinging around like Spider-Man.

Enjoyment - 74/100 | I think this movie establishes really well that the lead Ha Ji-won is incredibly photogenic, that much is certain.

It was an energetic and fun movie with lots of silly moments and a trio who are basically the three female musketeers and I liked it. The main theme, which starts every time the three girls get into a fight, is also exactly as corny as you would imagine from the poster.

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Great movie despite critics

In my opinion as a black individual, people are overreacting about the blackface. The character did it as a disguise blend into a tree background, watch it carefully you'll see. It blew my mind to also see real black people in there, unless their blackface was hella realistic which i highly doubt. Otherwise great movie, its comedy but its not like break your ribs funny. It has its moments; the actions pretty good, the acting is superb and the storyline is very satisfying which deserves a great rating in my book. I'm very new to this "sageuk" genre and see myself getting more into it.

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