The Front Line

A solid Korean war film from the skilful Jang Hoon. It doesn't reach the quality of My Way or Brotherhood of War, but still a decent affair. Technically solid, with well shot battles (too bad they were hardly bloody) and a surprising killing of own soldiers. Decent. 75%. (2018-03-08)

A very nice story, for which I especially appreciate the fact that it's not one-sided. It doesn't just have one main character, it has several. Therefore, everyone can choose their own. The fact that the film doesn't focus on the individual but on the whole makes it even more poignant and intense for the viewer. In addition to the great Soo Ko and Ha-kyun Shin, I have to mention the (so far) not very well known Je-hoon Lee, who from film to film appeals to me more and more. When you offer your heart to a good war movie, you have to expect that it may be broken at the end. And that's exactly what happened to me. Hoon Jang has thrilled me yet again. A very powerful experience. 5 stars. (2013-02-04)

Recently, I set myself the goal of delving a bit further into South Korean cinema. The country has produced a number of solid films in this genre over the years, so I was quite looking forward to The Front Line. The theme of the Korean War set in the 1950s did not disappoint. The film provides new insights and offers not only gripping war scenes, but also a decent amount of dialogue that prompts reflection. The overall experience is enhanced by beautiful music, which is always reliable with Korean films. The adrenaline rush at the end was a pleasure to watch, just don't look forward to a happy ending. Compared to other films from the region in this genre, it loses a bit of ground, but it still offers undeniable qualities. 7.5/10 (2021-09-20)