For the budget this movie was made on Hollywood could never come close to making such a well done movie. The cost in South Korean Won was 30 billion which is 26 million in US currency. There was never a dull moment in the movie which is over 2 hours long. The acting was pretty much spot on. The battle scenes were awesome very brutal and bloody but not over the top like some of the war films Hollywood puts out. I watched it in English 5.1 the sound quality and dubbing was excellent which is rare in this type of movie.This will be on my favorites list for sure. Ranks up there with Flags of Our Fathers,Saving Private Ryan and Letters from Iwo Jima. Just an FYI the new Batman had a budget of 500 million est.
87 Reviews
The word Epic redefines it's self.
gaudi197726 July 2012
While waiting from Hollywood or American cinematography to blasts away with an adventure of epic proportions heres comes this outsider. The cheesy story of two friends that lives an entire life in war and madness brings out the best in the latest Asian cinematography. Great story,amazing war battles never seen before,enough depth in the characters to make a movie worth seeing,a tight and emotional little jewel from Korea that comes as an outsider to win this year our cinematic addictions of what movies is all about. This movie is Epic in all levels and a definitely miss-not for the cinefils that respects theirself. The word Epic redefines it's self,so simple.
Terrific film
tacitus-707-66354925 April 2012
Warning: Spoilers
I'm not sure why this film is not being promoted anywhere, as far as I can tell, but I saw it last weekend and it's extremely well-done. It's based on a supposedly true story of how a Korean marathon runner ends up impressed into service in the Japanese army during World War II, then is captured by the Soviets during the Japanese campaign in China, survives a Soviet POW camp, then is impressed into service in the Soviet army, defects to the Nazi army during a battle, and ends up unwillingly fighting for the Germans in Normandy during the D-Day invasion. I won't spoil the twist ending, but the script is terrific, the acting is great, cinematography is excellent, and the budget was huge. There are one or two sappy scenes at the very end, the title (at least as translated into English)is baffling and irrelevant to the story, and an Andrea Bocelli closing-credits song is saccharine and inappropriate, but those are the only deficits that keep me from giving this film a ten-rating. Highly recommended. In Korean with subtitles.
love this movie highly recommend.
0U23 February 2020
Although very lengthy and extremely graphic, My way will keep you fully engaged and emotionally attached for the duration of the film. A very interesting perspective of World War 2 and an incredible story that brings tears to the eyes and teaches the significance of true brotherhood. Esthetically pleasing and gut wrenching at times, you'll wish My Way could be even longer.
Best Film of the Decade, Bar None
HealthyVend30 September 2012
Warning: Spoilers
I am scared of the thought that I could have missed experiencing this film. I stumbled on it as a recommendation on my Roku via Netflix.
Where do I begin...Gone With the Wind meets Chariots of Fire with an overlay of shifting loyalties which purify and forge the pure gold humanity of the spirit through changing tides of war a la Outlaw Josie Wales.
I've heard talk of Oscars...yes...give all of them to this film and everyone involved. This is the most astonishing portrayal of actual battle that I have seen in any film. Anyone who thinks war is something cute to watch for entertainment on CNN is going to think again. Anyone with a vague idea of what soldiers and civilians went through in WWll is going to have a far deeper appreciation for what war really means and has meant.
Taking the high road under the most torturous conditions possible to human endurance is polished, burnished and weighed in the balance of the validity of the human soul where it tips the scale forever into cinematic mastery.
In this sweeping epic featuring little known as well as better known history (at least to a contemporary Western audience), some helpful historical background might be that the Japanese invaded and ruled Korea preceding WWll, ethnically Korean soldiers, hence served in the Japanese Imperial Army. That's all you need to get started.
Prepare to be riveted....
Where do I begin...Gone With the Wind meets Chariots of Fire with an overlay of shifting loyalties which purify and forge the pure gold humanity of the spirit through changing tides of war a la Outlaw Josie Wales.
I've heard talk of Oscars...yes...give all of them to this film and everyone involved. This is the most astonishing portrayal of actual battle that I have seen in any film. Anyone who thinks war is something cute to watch for entertainment on CNN is going to think again. Anyone with a vague idea of what soldiers and civilians went through in WWll is going to have a far deeper appreciation for what war really means and has meant.
Taking the high road under the most torturous conditions possible to human endurance is polished, burnished and weighed in the balance of the validity of the human soul where it tips the scale forever into cinematic mastery.
In this sweeping epic featuring little known as well as better known history (at least to a contemporary Western audience), some helpful historical background might be that the Japanese invaded and ruled Korea preceding WWll, ethnically Korean soldiers, hence served in the Japanese Imperial Army. That's all you need to get started.
Prepare to be riveted....
A Nutshell Review: My Way
DICK STEEL27 June 2012
I guess I have Korean director Kang Je-Gyu to thank for sparking an interest in Korean films. No it wasn't any of the masters of old who got me hooked, but my first foray into Korean cinema on the big screen was actually to watch his Shiri, and while some may be of the opinion it's nothing more than a standard action thriller fare, it got me hooked, and to wonder just what more is out there in Korean cinema. And Kang went on to direct only 2 more films over a twelve year period, the first being the war movie Taegukgi, and now My Way.
So in a way, that makes it three films in a row that he's dabbled with men in uniform, exploring themes like brotherhood and friendship in blockbusters starring some of the biggest names in the industry. And in My Way, he teams up with Korea's Jang Dong-Gun, and Japan's Joe Odagiri who play rivals in Cain and Abel style, the former being a young boy working in the latter's family during the Japanese occupation of Korea, only for a terrorist incident to forever scar their potential friendship into deep hatred between the men, especially for Joe's Tatsuo against Jang's Joon-Sik. And their rivalry extends to their love for running long distance, almost always on par in countless of marathons they participate in.
The story written by Kang, Na Hyun and Kim Byung-In then centers the narrative against the run up to the Second World War, with the premise having to build up and culminate in Normandy during D-Day. So that takes the men, now in army fatigues with Joon-Sik being one of many Koreans forced to conscript in the Japanese Imperial Army, and under the arrogant, merciless leadership of Tatsuo in what would be convenience to further the two men's rivalry, especially when one is put in a lowly position, and the other having life and death powers over the man he loved to hate. The trio of writers managed to pack this film with enough incidents befitting any war movie, from POW imprisonment, disobedience of orders, torture and the likes, and playing on the theme of Karma, having what went around coming around to perpetrators. Not a very subtle approach though.
With a war setting, expect plenty of theatres of battles across different territories and under various banners and allegiances, such as the Japanese, Soviets, and Germans even, and you can tell where the money went into recreating their realism from uniforms, weapons and vehicles, together with the recreation of the Normandy invasion. Don't expect too much accuracy though if you think that D-Day and other battles, were won/lost in a few minutes, but one does get impressed by the effort to ensure that each battle got portrayed on as large a canvas possible, making it feel that the series of events the characters find themselves into, are far larger than their individual. There are times though that the editing and leaving of material on the cutting room floor had led to episodes being spliced together rather haphazardly, so that's a bit of a pity.
It's steeped in testosterone, if not for China's Fan Bingbing playing a bit role here as a sniper with vengeance against the Japanese at the top of her mind, and of course with her potential of opening up this film to the Mainland market. Other supporting acts include the good friends of Joon-Sik, such as Jong-Dae (Kim In-Kwon) who probably was the only supporting character given enough time for character development, and being somewhat of an in- between of the two men, offering a view of what each of them had, or could have, become. And this character alone demonstrates how adaptable Man can be when faced with circumstances that calls for that fine balance between morals, ideals and the basic need for survival. Recommended!
So in a way, that makes it three films in a row that he's dabbled with men in uniform, exploring themes like brotherhood and friendship in blockbusters starring some of the biggest names in the industry. And in My Way, he teams up with Korea's Jang Dong-Gun, and Japan's Joe Odagiri who play rivals in Cain and Abel style, the former being a young boy working in the latter's family during the Japanese occupation of Korea, only for a terrorist incident to forever scar their potential friendship into deep hatred between the men, especially for Joe's Tatsuo against Jang's Joon-Sik. And their rivalry extends to their love for running long distance, almost always on par in countless of marathons they participate in.
The story written by Kang, Na Hyun and Kim Byung-In then centers the narrative against the run up to the Second World War, with the premise having to build up and culminate in Normandy during D-Day. So that takes the men, now in army fatigues with Joon-Sik being one of many Koreans forced to conscript in the Japanese Imperial Army, and under the arrogant, merciless leadership of Tatsuo in what would be convenience to further the two men's rivalry, especially when one is put in a lowly position, and the other having life and death powers over the man he loved to hate. The trio of writers managed to pack this film with enough incidents befitting any war movie, from POW imprisonment, disobedience of orders, torture and the likes, and playing on the theme of Karma, having what went around coming around to perpetrators. Not a very subtle approach though.
With a war setting, expect plenty of theatres of battles across different territories and under various banners and allegiances, such as the Japanese, Soviets, and Germans even, and you can tell where the money went into recreating their realism from uniforms, weapons and vehicles, together with the recreation of the Normandy invasion. Don't expect too much accuracy though if you think that D-Day and other battles, were won/lost in a few minutes, but one does get impressed by the effort to ensure that each battle got portrayed on as large a canvas possible, making it feel that the series of events the characters find themselves into, are far larger than their individual. There are times though that the editing and leaving of material on the cutting room floor had led to episodes being spliced together rather haphazardly, so that's a bit of a pity.
It's steeped in testosterone, if not for China's Fan Bingbing playing a bit role here as a sniper with vengeance against the Japanese at the top of her mind, and of course with her potential of opening up this film to the Mainland market. Other supporting acts include the good friends of Joon-Sik, such as Jong-Dae (Kim In-Kwon) who probably was the only supporting character given enough time for character development, and being somewhat of an in- between of the two men, offering a view of what each of them had, or could have, become. And this character alone demonstrates how adaptable Man can be when faced with circumstances that calls for that fine balance between morals, ideals and the basic need for survival. Recommended!
Epic! Hollywood you're on notice!
goatbut2913 July 2012
I just finished watching this movie and I'm stunned at the beauty and depth of it. I especially like that it jumped right it and didn't linger on character development type stuff-you learned the characters as it went.
What I really wanna say Is that over and over again now it seems that every time i watch a 'good' foreign film, its REALLY good and leaves me wondering when I felt motivated enough about a big Hollywood production to start a post about it.
Hollywood seems to have a habit of bashing me over the head with some agenda or specific train of thought and I appreciate how this movie and many foreign movies I've seen similar to it in value and production either hid its agenda from me nicely, was some 'thought' I didn't understand due to historical understanding, or simply tried to provide a visual story to the best of their ability.
Whatever the case, this movie rocked and I was glued to the very end. I will be searching for more from this director.
What I really wanna say Is that over and over again now it seems that every time i watch a 'good' foreign film, its REALLY good and leaves me wondering when I felt motivated enough about a big Hollywood production to start a post about it.
Hollywood seems to have a habit of bashing me over the head with some agenda or specific train of thought and I appreciate how this movie and many foreign movies I've seen similar to it in value and production either hid its agenda from me nicely, was some 'thought' I didn't understand due to historical understanding, or simply tried to provide a visual story to the best of their ability.
Whatever the case, this movie rocked and I was glued to the very end. I will be searching for more from this director.
"my way" is a masterpiece!
rdean190827 August 2012
i was at red box last Saturday. i am a 66 yr. old white male brought up dirt poor in the south. all my family is military. all of us. i saw the picture of 2 soldiers walking the other way. i saw the title "my way". i clicked "review". i had to see this movie! i was very sick later that day. i put this movie in the DVD player. it hit me! the south Korean and the Japanese runners! the mud. the language! the realism. this is one of the finest films ever made! the story is true. the characters put Hollywood to shame! the battle scenes. the casting, the cinematography, are out of this world! this is the finest war movie ever made! hands down! if this movie does not take all of the Oscars, send the Oscar committee to north Korea! and leave them!
Body Count in a Flash
ferguson-621 May 2012
Greetings again from the darkness. Was anxious to see a big-budget Korean take on WWII, and overall came away impressed ... despite the shortcomings and annoyances. My history with Korean films have been limited to small, intimate stories told with quiet manner, and frenetic action flicks with sub-standard stunt work. Director and co-writer Je-kyu Kang attempts to combine an intimate story of two young men with an epic war film with a record body count and excruciatingly frequent number of cuts/edits.
The movie starts off by showing us how the lives of two boys first intersect. Jun-shik Kim (by Dong-gun Jong) is a farmer's son whose dad works on the estate of Tatsuo Hasegawa's (Jo Odagiri) grandfather. A wide class difference separates the boys, but their love of running generates a severe feud ... a rivalry that won't die easily. All of this takes place in Japan-occupied Korea, and it's clear early on that the filmmaker sets out to defend all Korean actions.
Inspired by a real life 1944 photo that shows a Korean soldier being captured while wearing a Nazi uniform, the back-story here is as strange and complex as any you have seen ... unfortunately, it is handled with the manipulative touch of a sledge hammer. As their marathon-running rivalry reaches a crescendo, both boys are drawn into the Japanese Army, albeit via substantially different routes. Tatsuo is an officer, while Jun-shik is an enslaved line soldier. Their bitter rivalry does not stop for a little thing like WWII and it leads to many moments of near insanity.
What really is impressive about the film is the three main battle scenes, especially the storming of Normandy Beach. If you have seen Saving Private Ryan, then you know the model ... however, this one takes it even further. It is intense, loud and brutal. The question of whether the rivalry can survive capture by Russians and then Nazi's, or whether survival instincts take over is really the heart of the story.
As terrific as the battle scenes are, it is impossible not to mention the hyper-editing that lasts most of the film's 142 minutes. It is hard on the senses and makes the action difficult to follow ... which is a shame for a film that offers so much realism in war scenes. Still, it's not an easy film to watch and we care enough about the two characters to put up with the eyeball attack we get in most scenes.
The movie starts off by showing us how the lives of two boys first intersect. Jun-shik Kim (by Dong-gun Jong) is a farmer's son whose dad works on the estate of Tatsuo Hasegawa's (Jo Odagiri) grandfather. A wide class difference separates the boys, but their love of running generates a severe feud ... a rivalry that won't die easily. All of this takes place in Japan-occupied Korea, and it's clear early on that the filmmaker sets out to defend all Korean actions.
Inspired by a real life 1944 photo that shows a Korean soldier being captured while wearing a Nazi uniform, the back-story here is as strange and complex as any you have seen ... unfortunately, it is handled with the manipulative touch of a sledge hammer. As their marathon-running rivalry reaches a crescendo, both boys are drawn into the Japanese Army, albeit via substantially different routes. Tatsuo is an officer, while Jun-shik is an enslaved line soldier. Their bitter rivalry does not stop for a little thing like WWII and it leads to many moments of near insanity.
What really is impressive about the film is the three main battle scenes, especially the storming of Normandy Beach. If you have seen Saving Private Ryan, then you know the model ... however, this one takes it even further. It is intense, loud and brutal. The question of whether the rivalry can survive capture by Russians and then Nazi's, or whether survival instincts take over is really the heart of the story.
As terrific as the battle scenes are, it is impossible not to mention the hyper-editing that lasts most of the film's 142 minutes. It is hard on the senses and makes the action difficult to follow ... which is a shame for a film that offers so much realism in war scenes. Still, it's not an easy film to watch and we care enough about the two characters to put up with the eyeball attack we get in most scenes.
My Way gives new meaning to rivalry
rgblakey29 July 2012
War films are released left and right, but usually all feel like another rehash with little to nothing new to them. With the Asian film market they are well-known for their epic period pieces and have delivered some really well done war films. The latest of this genre My Way coming out of Korea takes a unique take on the war film. While they have proved the ability to make a great war movie, will this new twist with the story manage to create something memorable or just be another loss on the battlefield? My Way follows a Korean and Japanese marathon runner that are thrust into a bitter rivalry that follows them off the track and onto the battlefield as they are forced to enlist. This is not only a good war film it is easily one of the best to come along in quite a while. As it advertised, it is very much like Saving Private Ryan, but way better. The story is a bit out there at times but is amazing to watch. It has taken the true story of a Korean body found on the beaches of Normandy and created and amazing journey around it. The performances are all really well done and only enhance the overall experience. There are times in war movies that they try to deliver a well-crafted story to make a better film, but end up sacrificing the war aspect. Here they not only didn't ignore it, they deliver on a massive scale. With a film running almost two and a half hours, it delivers almost non-stop violent bloody action that takes you directly onto the battlefield. While it is a long film, it never really feels like it. The story moves at a breathtaking pace with a brilliantly executed pace and beautifully violent visuals that will not soon be forgotten.
My Way has not only created a brilliant war film, it takes you on a journey of redemption and emotional pain. There are so many levels to this film that it's nearly impossible to touch on them all. If you are a fan of this genre then you have to give this movie a shot. It is not just a movie; it's an experience of cleverly written and executed filmmaking that will entertain on numerous levels.
http://www.examiner.com/movie-in-dallas/bobby-blakey
My Way has not only created a brilliant war film, it takes you on a journey of redemption and emotional pain. There are so many levels to this film that it's nearly impossible to touch on them all. If you are a fan of this genre then you have to give this movie a shot. It is not just a movie; it's an experience of cleverly written and executed filmmaking that will entertain on numerous levels.
http://www.examiner.com/movie-in-dallas/bobby-blakey
Well made and pretty good, BUT
Bad-Good-Great8 October 2021
The hand-held shaky camera work completely ruin a good viewing experience, not only you'd hurt your eyesight but you'd also get an headache. This is the first time that a Korean movie gave me a spinning headache and dizziness. Maybe it's because the camera crew got to hold the camera to follow or chase the two running foes and opponents all along to catch the actions, but the shaky camera really make it very difficult to watch.
Don't believe what I said? Try to watch it.
Don't believe what I said? Try to watch it.
Unlike the ordinary war-films
F_Mizra14 June 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Where do I begin?? I dare say this film is way better than Saving Private Ryan or any other Hollywood WWII movies! Exaggeration?? Well see it for yourself.
My Way tells a tale of two rivals: Korean Kim Jun-Shik and Japanese Hasegawa Tatsuo. Jun-Shik's father works as a servant of Tatsuo's grandfather in Japanese-occupied Korea. They first met when Tatsuo arrived there with his parents in 1928. Though they differ in nationality and social standings, they have one thing in common: to be the greatest marathon runner. Every year they compete in races, though Jun-Shik wins the most. One day, Tatsuo's grandfather is assassinated by a Korean terrorist, which only deepens the resentment of Tatsuo towards Koreans.
Due to an incident after a marathon race, Jun-Shik and several other Korean friends are drafted into the Japanese Imperial army. Little did Jun-Shik know that he would be serving under Tatsuo, much much later. That's it for the plot. I won't spoil anymore than that. ;-)
I find that this film is unique, not like any other war-like films, because of these two things: 1) There are at least 5 different languages spoken: Korean, Japanese, Mandarin, Russian and German. 2) If you are a Kim, initially you are forced to fight under the banner of the Sun Emperor, and then for the Red Army, and then for the Krauts. Whoopsie.
Blend of cinematography, theme and cast are top-notched! From oriental Seoul to desert Mongolia to icy Steppes of Russia to bloody Hedosk and to calm sandy beaches of Normandy France. Tatsuo is played by Japanese "Johnny Depp" Jo Odagiri (Shinobi, Azumi), while Jun-Shik is played by Korean heartthrob Jang Dong-Gun (Tae Guk Gi). Though it's a two-hour film, rest assured that you won't be left with boredom or too much drama. Fighting and battle scenes will make yourself glued to the screen. One bomb-scene where both Tatsuo and Jun-Shik flew to the air in slow-motion is really breathtaking!
Bottom line is, if you're the one who really values FRIENDSHIP, this IS a must-see film for you. =D
My Way tells a tale of two rivals: Korean Kim Jun-Shik and Japanese Hasegawa Tatsuo. Jun-Shik's father works as a servant of Tatsuo's grandfather in Japanese-occupied Korea. They first met when Tatsuo arrived there with his parents in 1928. Though they differ in nationality and social standings, they have one thing in common: to be the greatest marathon runner. Every year they compete in races, though Jun-Shik wins the most. One day, Tatsuo's grandfather is assassinated by a Korean terrorist, which only deepens the resentment of Tatsuo towards Koreans.
Due to an incident after a marathon race, Jun-Shik and several other Korean friends are drafted into the Japanese Imperial army. Little did Jun-Shik know that he would be serving under Tatsuo, much much later. That's it for the plot. I won't spoil anymore than that. ;-)
I find that this film is unique, not like any other war-like films, because of these two things: 1) There are at least 5 different languages spoken: Korean, Japanese, Mandarin, Russian and German. 2) If you are a Kim, initially you are forced to fight under the banner of the Sun Emperor, and then for the Red Army, and then for the Krauts. Whoopsie.
Blend of cinematography, theme and cast are top-notched! From oriental Seoul to desert Mongolia to icy Steppes of Russia to bloody Hedosk and to calm sandy beaches of Normandy France. Tatsuo is played by Japanese "Johnny Depp" Jo Odagiri (Shinobi, Azumi), while Jun-Shik is played by Korean heartthrob Jang Dong-Gun (Tae Guk Gi). Though it's a two-hour film, rest assured that you won't be left with boredom or too much drama. Fighting and battle scenes will make yourself glued to the screen. One bomb-scene where both Tatsuo and Jun-Shik flew to the air in slow-motion is really breathtaking!
Bottom line is, if you're the one who really values FRIENDSHIP, this IS a must-see film for you. =D
War is hell and so is this film!
mrsamshin30 March 2013
Kang gives a interesting story of WWII that most people are not familiar with. How did a Asian man get himself into the beaches of D-Day? In some ways, the film is reminiscent of Saving Private Ryan, Enemy at the Gates, and most WWII films you can think of. Despite the gritty and beautiful visuals of the battle scenes with a surprising small budget of 24 million (most expensive film in Korea) the film unfortunately had a large range of problems. The film is mostly shot in hand-held and 1st person creating a somewhat uncomfortable experience; I believe the film could of done better if it weren't for the horrible editing. With a film that spans across continents and different cultures, one would of expected that the movie would last more than 2-3 hours but surprisingly only 1:43 minutes. Because of this, some scenes are rushed, mostly during the transition from one area to the next. If this film lasted more, it could of been possible for the audience to explore more of the characters themselves. The director's last superior film Taegukgi, was at a steady pace, exploring the two brothers but this film had scenes that are cut short resulting in a ridiculously low average shot length of 5 seconds or less. Also, the film had some facts wrong, but this is expected in war films. However, if you are a WWII lover, you would probably be annoyed by it. Such as the depiction of the D-day scene. But this can be forgiven because it is, after all, a fictional story based on a true story and is made for entertainment purposes. Like all movies, many details were dramatized to make it more interesting.
A poorly done and disrespectful movie
tomcat-350-2752127 February 2016
Warning: Spoilers
I am a military history journalist and I first heard about this movie when I researched an article about soldiers who fought in multiple armies during WW2. (There were a couple of them.) The true story of Kim was very exciting so I wondered how they made it into a movie. Badly! Another stupid romantic flick which turns an interesting piece of history upside down and retains nothing of the original.
The real Kim's name was Yang Kyun-jong. He was no Olympic runner, just a regular 19 year old Korean guy who got drafted into the Japanese army. Not because the Japs were so cruel but that was the custom of the time. Sure, serving in the Imperial Japanese Army wasn't a walk in the park. He was taken prisoner by Soviet forces in the Battle of Khalkin-Gol in 1938 and lived in a Siberian POW camp for years, just like in the movie. There he volunteered into the Soviet army. He fell into German captivity during - most likely - the Battle of Kharkov in 1943. After having joined the SS Eastern Legion - and not the Wehrmacht, as in the movie - with several more Russian POWs he was transferred to Normandy just before D-Day. He survived the invasion and surrendered to the Americans. He was released from a POW camp in Britain in 1946, moved to America and actually never talked about his story, not even to his family. He died in 1992. His exodus was only uncovered in 2002 when a South Korean journalist found photos in an US war archive about SS soldiers of Korean nationality being registered as POWs in Normandy.
Now for the movie. It's simply one of the most annoying war movies I've ever seen. The true story was seemingly not exciting enough for the filmmakers so they turned it into a cheesy romantic flick. The main hero has three traits: he loves to run, he can take an incredible amount of beating (and takes every opportunity to have his stupid face bashed) and for some reason he tries to save everyone from damnation. Probably God likes it and this is why he's always saved in the very last moment before being shot, stabbed, burnt or something similar.
The character itself is outright unrealistic. Nobody stayed an innocent angel in Soviet work camps. I met a lot of old people who spent years there. A misfit like Kim would've been fed to the crows in a week. Also, nobody risked their lives for others in the Gulag camps. People simply tried to keep a low profile and shut up. They were barely living. Yet Kim (and all others) somehow manage to keep themselves well-fed and healthy.
The battle scenes are simply ridiculous. Yes, they look nice with many swishy-swoshy special effects, a lot of fake blood and clichés diligently copied in every war movie since Saving Private Ryan. But come on... The battle of Khalkin-Gol was not fought in strictly tight formations. (No battles were.) The Soviets indeed used T-26 tanks like in the movie, but they weren't idiots to send them against the Japanese in a parade formation with no infantry. Fortunately the Japs in this movie are even bigger idiots and march in even tighter formations, with only rifles and swords. Their luck is that the Russians still try to top their idiocy and all their tankers stand in the turret under all circumstances, with the hatch open. Oh bull!
Then comes a very long dragging part about the Soviet POW camp with very predictable "twists", and suddenly our hero is a Russian soldier, finding himself the _exact copy_ of the opening scene of Enemy at the Gates! For some reason the Germans, after devastating an entire Russian city, have built a hedgehog position in the middle of it, decorating a building with neat parade flags just in case the Russians can't find them. Now say, why on earth would a German unit entrench itself in a Russian city in 1941? Particularly when facing only ragtag Soviet infantry with barely enough rifles while they have tanks and heavy weapons? Oh bull again!
But our heroes survive again without a scratch, and that's heroic indeed not only because the battering they receive but also the ever-repeating heroic music which gets quite annoying by the time. Probably they can't hear it over the battle noise - good for them. Yes, yes, we also know John Williams, but we don't care how some Korean band can mimic his style. Please stop. Or die. Whatever.
Would you believe that soon comes an exact copy of the D-Day scene from Saving Private Ryan? Well, actually the only merit to this movie is that it shows how it wasn't exactly a birthday party for the Germans either. Otherwise the entire scene is just as ridiculous as earlier ones. Vastly overdone CGI don't compensate for the lack of realism (just how many bullets can our hero dodge?) and neither for historic inaccuracy. (Paratroopers jumping during the Omaha Beach landing, really? Hasn't it happened a day before? And why do they land just about a hundred meters from the battle after it was already won? Why would they use paras for that?)
Spoiler warning! Here comes the worst. So our heroes somehow survive the entire ordeal (good thing the battleship Iowa is only pounding the beach with very small grenades and the bombs falling from the B-17s are also really undersized) and run away... until our Korean hero finally somehow gets mortally wounded. What happens next? He gives the dog tag to the Japanese guy and tells him to become him so he Americans won't kill him. SERIOUSLY?! So the filmmakers allege that Yang Kyung-jong, who actually survived D-Day, was an impostor and in fact a Japanese colonel (and war criminal)? My, I hope his family never watched this. This feels like they spat on his grave.
The real Kim's name was Yang Kyun-jong. He was no Olympic runner, just a regular 19 year old Korean guy who got drafted into the Japanese army. Not because the Japs were so cruel but that was the custom of the time. Sure, serving in the Imperial Japanese Army wasn't a walk in the park. He was taken prisoner by Soviet forces in the Battle of Khalkin-Gol in 1938 and lived in a Siberian POW camp for years, just like in the movie. There he volunteered into the Soviet army. He fell into German captivity during - most likely - the Battle of Kharkov in 1943. After having joined the SS Eastern Legion - and not the Wehrmacht, as in the movie - with several more Russian POWs he was transferred to Normandy just before D-Day. He survived the invasion and surrendered to the Americans. He was released from a POW camp in Britain in 1946, moved to America and actually never talked about his story, not even to his family. He died in 1992. His exodus was only uncovered in 2002 when a South Korean journalist found photos in an US war archive about SS soldiers of Korean nationality being registered as POWs in Normandy.
Now for the movie. It's simply one of the most annoying war movies I've ever seen. The true story was seemingly not exciting enough for the filmmakers so they turned it into a cheesy romantic flick. The main hero has three traits: he loves to run, he can take an incredible amount of beating (and takes every opportunity to have his stupid face bashed) and for some reason he tries to save everyone from damnation. Probably God likes it and this is why he's always saved in the very last moment before being shot, stabbed, burnt or something similar.
The character itself is outright unrealistic. Nobody stayed an innocent angel in Soviet work camps. I met a lot of old people who spent years there. A misfit like Kim would've been fed to the crows in a week. Also, nobody risked their lives for others in the Gulag camps. People simply tried to keep a low profile and shut up. They were barely living. Yet Kim (and all others) somehow manage to keep themselves well-fed and healthy.
The battle scenes are simply ridiculous. Yes, they look nice with many swishy-swoshy special effects, a lot of fake blood and clichés diligently copied in every war movie since Saving Private Ryan. But come on... The battle of Khalkin-Gol was not fought in strictly tight formations. (No battles were.) The Soviets indeed used T-26 tanks like in the movie, but they weren't idiots to send them against the Japanese in a parade formation with no infantry. Fortunately the Japs in this movie are even bigger idiots and march in even tighter formations, with only rifles and swords. Their luck is that the Russians still try to top their idiocy and all their tankers stand in the turret under all circumstances, with the hatch open. Oh bull!
Then comes a very long dragging part about the Soviet POW camp with very predictable "twists", and suddenly our hero is a Russian soldier, finding himself the _exact copy_ of the opening scene of Enemy at the Gates! For some reason the Germans, after devastating an entire Russian city, have built a hedgehog position in the middle of it, decorating a building with neat parade flags just in case the Russians can't find them. Now say, why on earth would a German unit entrench itself in a Russian city in 1941? Particularly when facing only ragtag Soviet infantry with barely enough rifles while they have tanks and heavy weapons? Oh bull again!
But our heroes survive again without a scratch, and that's heroic indeed not only because the battering they receive but also the ever-repeating heroic music which gets quite annoying by the time. Probably they can't hear it over the battle noise - good for them. Yes, yes, we also know John Williams, but we don't care how some Korean band can mimic his style. Please stop. Or die. Whatever.
Would you believe that soon comes an exact copy of the D-Day scene from Saving Private Ryan? Well, actually the only merit to this movie is that it shows how it wasn't exactly a birthday party for the Germans either. Otherwise the entire scene is just as ridiculous as earlier ones. Vastly overdone CGI don't compensate for the lack of realism (just how many bullets can our hero dodge?) and neither for historic inaccuracy. (Paratroopers jumping during the Omaha Beach landing, really? Hasn't it happened a day before? And why do they land just about a hundred meters from the battle after it was already won? Why would they use paras for that?)
Spoiler warning! Here comes the worst. So our heroes somehow survive the entire ordeal (good thing the battleship Iowa is only pounding the beach with very small grenades and the bombs falling from the B-17s are also really undersized) and run away... until our Korean hero finally somehow gets mortally wounded. What happens next? He gives the dog tag to the Japanese guy and tells him to become him so he Americans won't kill him. SERIOUSLY?! So the filmmakers allege that Yang Kyung-jong, who actually survived D-Day, was an impostor and in fact a Japanese colonel (and war criminal)? My, I hope his family never watched this. This feels like they spat on his grave.
loved it
Futoko21 May 2012
This is my first review. I'll make it short. Someone else mentions the shaky camera. That annoyed me for the first 15 minutes or so, (reminded me of that annoying zoom on Iris) but then I forgot all about it and enjoyed what was a great war movie that every film buff should try and see.
I'll give it 9/10. Hell no, make it a 10/10, that other point just because Kim In-kwon was in the cast and he was fantastic as usual. (I hope the South Koreans appreciate what a highly gifted actor he is. I grew up loving the likes of Bette Davis, Joan Crawford etc. I know what I'm talking about, i.e. screen charisma AND great acting skills).
Taro Yamamoto as Noda was another character played very well. For some reason he reminded me of Doug Hutchison's character Percy from The Green Mile. (It annoyed me I'd seen him before but couldn't recall where so I had to look him up. He was the card cheater in Kaiji and one of the older kids on Battle Royale.)
Back to the point. My Way = Epic movie. I loved it.
I'll give it 9/10. Hell no, make it a 10/10, that other point just because Kim In-kwon was in the cast and he was fantastic as usual. (I hope the South Koreans appreciate what a highly gifted actor he is. I grew up loving the likes of Bette Davis, Joan Crawford etc. I know what I'm talking about, i.e. screen charisma AND great acting skills).
Taro Yamamoto as Noda was another character played very well. For some reason he reminded me of Doug Hutchison's character Percy from The Green Mile. (It annoyed me I'd seen him before but couldn't recall where so I had to look him up. He was the card cheater in Kaiji and one of the older kids on Battle Royale.)
Back to the point. My Way = Epic movie. I loved it.
Heart touching
deebadola17 April 2018
My heart felt every second of this movie and finally become awe stack. the script and cinematography are awesome.The love,hate relationship of two childhood friends and the cruelty of war are manifested so properly.It is a awesome choice for war movie loving people.thumbs up the "MY WAY team".
So much more than war
Domble1 March 2013
My Way shows that Korea not only can do horror, but that it can do amazing films In any genre. This film is basically two and half hours and yet less than nine minutes in I was already hooked.
Inspired by a true story My Way is about two young boys, one Korean and one Japanese, who meet each other as ones family relocates. Both have Dreams of running The marathon in the Olympics and are in rivalry from the start. But when a certain event happens when they are older it becomes much more and they become enemies. Then WW2 is declared and both are forced into the Japanese army (two different ways though). Not to give to much away but after many twists and turns in the film they end up on an Infamous Day in history.
This film has it all, action, well developed characters, an Incredible story that makes you feel pretty much every emotion there is.
But if the fact this has war in it puts you off, DON'T let it as this is no war film! This is a film about two people, rivalries, friendships, and their stories. War is just in the background of it all.
Inspired by a true story My Way is about two young boys, one Korean and one Japanese, who meet each other as ones family relocates. Both have Dreams of running The marathon in the Olympics and are in rivalry from the start. But when a certain event happens when they are older it becomes much more and they become enemies. Then WW2 is declared and both are forced into the Japanese army (two different ways though). Not to give to much away but after many twists and turns in the film they end up on an Infamous Day in history.
This film has it all, action, well developed characters, an Incredible story that makes you feel pretty much every emotion there is.
But if the fact this has war in it puts you off, DON'T let it as this is no war film! This is a film about two people, rivalries, friendships, and their stories. War is just in the background of it all.
Superb
isaaclamberth14 August 2012
Warning: Spoilers
It's easy to say that this is a superb war movie. Great acting, AWESOME war sequences, stirring music and incredible scope all make 'My Way' one of the best war movies I've ever seen. Ever. Particularly since the budget for the entire movie was under $30 millions. While watching 'My Way' I often thought of the budget as massive since ALL of the battles in the movie are epic in scale and very intense. I was surprised to find out how small the budge was, Hollywood good take a few pointers.
There are two reasons I don't give this flick a 10 out of 10. A few cheesy lines are scattered throughout the film. The dialogue in the movie isn't bad, but there are a few lines characters say that are just so dripping with patriotic moto-isms that it detracts from the movie's awesomeness.
Another thing is, I felt the director spent a lot of time on all the other battles, but the Normandy invasion wasn't given much effort to authenticity and more effort was put on effects. You see the entire invasion of the beach within a 10 minute span (not how it happened).
Other than that, phenomenal flick!!!
There are two reasons I don't give this flick a 10 out of 10. A few cheesy lines are scattered throughout the film. The dialogue in the movie isn't bad, but there are a few lines characters say that are just so dripping with patriotic moto-isms that it detracts from the movie's awesomeness.
Another thing is, I felt the director spent a lot of time on all the other battles, but the Normandy invasion wasn't given much effort to authenticity and more effort was put on effects. You see the entire invasion of the beach within a 10 minute span (not how it happened).
Other than that, phenomenal flick!!!
Huge body count, low thought process...
Marc_Israel_36523 May 2013
The big picture about the big war picture is that it is a container of very interesting ideas for a four hour war epic. When spliced together, it became a two hour twenty minute roller coaster movie that is hard to watch as anything other then the plot of the two main characters, noble in their own ways, one with a humanitarian approach as a conscripted Korean and the other his Imperial duty to Japan. The depth was almost comic, however, as each new character would be introduced a bit delicately only to be killed off one or two scenes later. The action is scary, but the with the war scenes all being filmed by hand held camera, the epic nature flows without meaning. We can circumstantially figure out the thoughts of our two subjects but the contemplative nature of war is missed in the action. The many flaws of the film (a Japanese POW speaking Russian to his captor among the many)can be over looked as the plot must progress, right? The highs are not balanced off enough to give them depth so the director just adds to the body count instead.
Very impressed.
ameliavandehey12 November 2012
I didn't know anything about the movie when I saw it in the Redbox, but the description was interesting to me. When the subtitles started the husband got antsy and I was afraid I'd have to stop it and watch it at a later time, but the story was too intriguing and telling to stop it. We were immediately absorbed in the story. Sometimes the words were of no consequence because the acting and cinematography are so outstanding. Great, great story about how the group of Korenas were forced to fight for Japan. It put so much history into a two hour movie and you didn't have that "foreign film" feel at all. It was well told, and directed. I have such great respect for the people of that period. This movie should be shown in mainstream theaters in the U.S!! I'm going to buy it!
A beautiful friendship story
Sayasam6 October 2013
CAUTION : this movie contain extreme gore, violence and blood.
There are like 4000 dead during the movie.
This movie essentially shows the cruelty of war, from the Japanese, Korean and Russian view.
This is a beautiful story where two soldiers of different nationalities meet during war.
This is a dramatic movie : the action scenes are not to enjoy, but to cry to.
It's a great journey of two friends who meet each other at several moments of the war, fighting for different countries each time.
There are like 4000 dead during the movie.
This movie essentially shows the cruelty of war, from the Japanese, Korean and Russian view.
This is a beautiful story where two soldiers of different nationalities meet during war.
This is a dramatic movie : the action scenes are not to enjoy, but to cry to.
It's a great journey of two friends who meet each other at several moments of the war, fighting for different countries each time.
Simply breathtaking
gunty4024 June 2013
30.000.000.000 South Korean Won is the estimated budget of this Korean masterpiece. Sounds like a big amount, but at today's exchange rate (1 KRW = 0.000860807 USD) that makes just under 26mio USD. For this budget, 'Mai Wei' manages to equal the most memorable wide-angle scenes from saving private Ryan (budget 70mio USD) and enemy at the gates (68 mio USD). Kinda makes you wonder what these Koreans could do with a budget of 200mio USD.
The story of this movie spans such a vast geographical area and a huge scope of events, however never fails to show those little sides of man. The characters are not black and white and they evolve throughout the story.
You really get a feeling that war is basically people going through the same misery, making the same mistakes, just in a different setting. In fact, some people in this movie even learn from their mistakes, which is original.
An emotional roller-coaster around the world in which people actually speak different languages, rather than English accents.
The story of this movie spans such a vast geographical area and a huge scope of events, however never fails to show those little sides of man. The characters are not black and white and they evolve throughout the story.
You really get a feeling that war is basically people going through the same misery, making the same mistakes, just in a different setting. In fact, some people in this movie even learn from their mistakes, which is original.
An emotional roller-coaster around the world in which people actually speak different languages, rather than English accents.
Suspend all disbelief and when you think you have, do it more so.
paintedbird4 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
You watch simply to find out what absurd event comes next.
The film is a collection of unrealistic events which aren't portrayed in any artful manner, where the main characters outrun fighter plane bullets and the shells fired from battleships. Survive labour camps while practicing marathon running. And avoid serious injury from all manner of bullets in the unrealistic, but large-scale battle sequences. Deus Ex Machina is a constant device used to move the plot along as the characters are saved just-in-time by new events/characters in order to keep the story going. This is done repeatedly.
If you make it most of the way through you discover the plot to centre around what amounts to a yandere bromance between a Korean and his Japanese overlord during the time of the Japanese occupation of Korea. The type that could only come from overly-sentimental Korean cinema. 😂 (this is like Tae Guk GI, on steroids.)
When you watch the film it makes even less sense since the Korean character witnesses all sorts of atrocities committed against Koreans and Chinese at the hands of the oppressive Japanese, including his friend.
The only good thing about the film is that the battle scenes are worth watching once, perhaps as youtube clips. Even if they are not remotely realistic. And that it is one of the few times the Battles of Khalkin Gol are shown in film.
Honestly though it does offend the mind of anyone who thinks about things just a little. It has all the artistic merit of a Transformers film and can be summed up as simply as: 'splosions, Korean-Japanese antagonism, marathon running and bromance.
The film is a collection of unrealistic events which aren't portrayed in any artful manner, where the main characters outrun fighter plane bullets and the shells fired from battleships. Survive labour camps while practicing marathon running. And avoid serious injury from all manner of bullets in the unrealistic, but large-scale battle sequences. Deus Ex Machina is a constant device used to move the plot along as the characters are saved just-in-time by new events/characters in order to keep the story going. This is done repeatedly.
If you make it most of the way through you discover the plot to centre around what amounts to a yandere bromance between a Korean and his Japanese overlord during the time of the Japanese occupation of Korea. The type that could only come from overly-sentimental Korean cinema. 😂 (this is like Tae Guk GI, on steroids.)
When you watch the film it makes even less sense since the Korean character witnesses all sorts of atrocities committed against Koreans and Chinese at the hands of the oppressive Japanese, including his friend.
The only good thing about the film is that the battle scenes are worth watching once, perhaps as youtube clips. Even if they are not remotely realistic. And that it is one of the few times the Battles of Khalkin Gol are shown in film.
Honestly though it does offend the mind of anyone who thinks about things just a little. It has all the artistic merit of a Transformers film and can be summed up as simply as: 'splosions, Korean-Japanese antagonism, marathon running and bromance.
Great film!
yupicatca21 May 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Wow!I highly recommend this great film!
Great drama with lots of action story. This is one of the best war films that I have watched in a long time!
The two main actors Jang Dong-gun and Joe Odagiri, gave a strong and a magnificent performance!
The story is quite unique and it is based in the dramatic true story of a young Korean named Yang Kyoungjong, who was forced to fight with the Japanese imperial army, with the Soviet army and then with the German Army.
The film is an inspiring story about survival and the friendship among two young men of two very different backgrounds, culture and social status.
The story is very realistic, with some crude war scenes. The scenarios are also very real, and vivid.
"My way" is an exciting and unforgettable film!
I hope the actors and the director of the film win many awards.
Great drama with lots of action story. This is one of the best war films that I have watched in a long time!
The two main actors Jang Dong-gun and Joe Odagiri, gave a strong and a magnificent performance!
The story is quite unique and it is based in the dramatic true story of a young Korean named Yang Kyoungjong, who was forced to fight with the Japanese imperial army, with the Soviet army and then with the German Army.
The film is an inspiring story about survival and the friendship among two young men of two very different backgrounds, culture and social status.
The story is very realistic, with some crude war scenes. The scenarios are also very real, and vivid.
"My way" is an exciting and unforgettable film!
I hope the actors and the director of the film win many awards.
I will go "your way"
rpduffy8615 January 2013
Why is there such a drastic difference on review ratings between this website and other sites like Rotten? I decided to rent this film because I kept seeing it show up in my netflix choices. I am so glad I decided to give it a try. I'm not sure why some film critics are blasting this film but I'm sure glad I didn't let their poor reviews decide for me. I absolutely loved everything about this film. I'm a huge fan of Pan's Labyrinth, Heavenly Creatures, Heathers, A Clockwork Orange, The Others, etc and this fits right into the kind of films I end up loving - usually have some fantasy element to them. Listen, this is something really unique and special (IMO) and you shouldn't listen to what those snobbish movie reviewers say in regards to this film. Just watch it and judge for yourself. It had me crying more than a few times which is rare. The acting is absolutely on point as well as very real looking war scenes (very graphic, non stop action).
WATCH THIS BRILLIANT FILM NOW
WATCH THIS BRILLIANT FILM NOW
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