Kundo: Age of the Rampant (2014) User Reviews

Excellence!!!

[bbickley13-921-58664 · 7/10 · 6 September 2014]

A great Kung Fu flick made by Koreans.

Or should I say an Eastern, as the filmmakers used a lot of, what looked like American western tricks, like with the music and the sudden close ups, to give it that Western vibe.

At the same time, cinematically it reminds me of a back in the day Kung Fu film like what the Shaw bros. would do. What an excellent martial arts flick this turned out to be, jumbled with everything you except to see from a film by the likes of Tarantino paying homage to the Kung fu genre. I've always been a fan of Korean Cinema and this movie just increased my fandom. This was a great movie I recommend everyone to see.

Dramatic and ferocious South Korean period movie with great actors

[kluseba · 8/10 · 17 April 2015]

''Kundo: Age of the Rampan'' is a South Korean period film which has become one of the country's highest grossing movies ever upon release. It has also won eight awards in five different film festivals. The movie is primary an action movie and costume drama in authentic locations. The film has a sinister atmosphere filled with tension due to a charismatic acting by Kang Dong-won who is playing an ambitious villain and Ha Jung-woo who portrays a sympathetic antihero who becomes an inspiration for oppressed citizens. The fight scenes are filled with both brutal tension and elegant aesthetics. Despite the coherently dark mood, there are a couple of more amusing and emotional scenes that keep the movie dynamical over an epic length of nearly two and a half hours.

The story takes place during the late Joseon era and is partially inspired by authentic historic events. In a time of aristocratic tyranny, an illegitimate son strives for power and hires a poor butcher as assassin. Since the butcher is unable to complete his mission, he is terribly punished but manages to survive. He decides to change his life in order to protect those he was supposed to kill and fight those who have punished him. He changes identity and becomes a ferocious swordsman who helps the poor, persecuted and helpless people until the time is come to challenge his worst enemy to a final duel.

The only negative points about this movie are the fact that the story itself is quite predictable and standard for its genre despite a couple of good conspiracies and intrigues and the exaggerated final fight that feels incoherent if compared to the rather realistic fight scenes in the rest of the movie.

Still, ''Kundo: Age of the Rampant'' is a highly entertaining movie with lots of action and drama, great actors and characters and stunning locations and settings. Fans of historically inspired action movies can't get around one of last year's best Asian movies.

Underdog

[kosmasp · 8/10 · 22 February 2015]

We/I might not know this one particular story of Kundo, but we have seen this underdog story before. Which is not to be held against the movie, because it does a fine job telling the story of class distinction and the "small" people rising up against oppression. You might not agree with everything happening here, but you can't fault the movie or the story for that.

The action is more than decent enough and our hero against his own will, has a great journey to undertake. Some have compared this to some of the classic Japanese movies. But even if you don't agree with that either, you only have to like the story to get into it and enjoy the movie.

Well it has a good cast, however the movie is just alright

[KineticSeoul · 6/10 · 3 October 2014]

I personally thought this movie was alright and what standout about this movie the most is the cast. In a way the story is sort of similar to "Robin Hood" except there is no love interest between the protagonist and someone else. And it puts quite a bit of emphasis on the sword fighting martial arts sequences. There isn't many standout action sequence, except maybe on scene where the vicious nobleman takes on a group of bandits by himself (which is probably the best scene in the movie). Overall, this is a rebellion movie about peasants that got pushed around too far by corrupt officials and they decide to stand and fight. When it comes to the core, it's basically a story about a butcher that lost everything going up against nobleman who has father issues. In fact more than the butcher who is basically the hero or anti-hero of the story is one of the least interesting characters. And the most interesting one in this flick being the pretty boy nobleman who is also and elite swordsman and his back-story and what makes him tick. Overall this is a alright watch, with few decent scenes but when it comes down to it, it's actually quite forgettable. And just didn't have much meat to it. Sometimes simple story can really work, but in this case I just didn't really care.

6.2/10

Solid bit of storytelling. Great bad guy.

[kyla-72302 · 7/10 · 1 January 2022]

Oh this was a good film. Interesting characters. Fun strategies. Solid plot. The bad guy was really well done. The good guys were really well done.

Here's my spoiler: One of the things I liked best about this film is that the bad guy is the best sword fighter. No one gets the better of him. I thought that was a nice touch.

My Review Of "Kundo"

[ASouthernHorrorFan · 10/10 · 12 August 2014]

I have to admit that I am not well versed in Asian action films, nor Korean history but I love this film. YOON Jong-bin's "Kundo"is the story of a bandit clan that take on the tyranny inflicted on the peasant population during the Joseon Dynasty. The film is a Korean period piece, set in 1859, and brings together a modern vision to classic Asian action-fantasy with tradition dramatic passion.

"Kundo" tells a very powerful saga between the impoverished people suffering at the hands of the ruling nobility. It is a tale that rings, not only in historical record, but in modern time around the world. Similar to the legend of Robin Hood, "Kundo" creates a wonderful narrative of one group of individuals standing up to the oppression, taking what they can from the rich, and handing it out to the poor. Something that is universally recognizably as true human heroism. Yoon brings the story to life in epic style, filled with both visual and emotional power that captivates.

The special effects in "Kundo" are restrained and by no means rise as the star of this film. The story, with all its raw intensity, personable emotion, and hypnotizing sound effects are of equal status in this one. The choreographed fighting style is every bit as entertaining as Hong Kong's action films that match this type of film. However the character that develops in "Kundo" balances that fantastical ability of Asian martial arts and war with true passionate story telling that hits at the heart. It is relatable on so many levels. At times the film reminds me of the American westerns of the late 60's and early 70's that tried to give an honest voice to the First Peoples plight.

Over all I have to say the "Kundo" is an affective film-creating a strong atmosphere than pulls you into the story completely. Yoon is brilliant in his ability to make a historical picture relevant to modern audiences while honoring the past. Elements of Western bravado show at certain moments, without spoiling the film I can only say that the film is truly entertaining, giving moments of Kevin Reynolds' "Prince Of Thieves" dramatically-Hong Kong styled fighting and action reminiscent of Tsui Hark's "Once Upon A Time In China". Ther is also a bit of wild west attitude in "Kundo" that reminds me of Christopher Cain's "Young Guns". And yet Yoon manages to keep a unique signature style that is what must be totally Korean, all the elements that make "Kundo" such a stellar film are balanced perfectly with out being overstated. It is a true cinematic gem.

I rarely give films a 10, but this one is simply brilliant!

[planktonrules · 10/10 · 7 November 2014]

Imagine if you took an Italian western, Kurosawa's "Seven Samurai" and "Robin Hood" and then transported all this to 19th century Korea. This is pretty much what you get in Jong-bin Yun's masterpiece, "Kundo: Age of the Rampant". It's a new martial arts epic that I cannot recommend strongly enough--and fans of this sort of picture are bound to be satisfied with this excellent film.

The film begins during the latter years of the long Joseon Dynasty. The country is racked with famine, disease and locusts. But these locusts aren't the kind you're thinking of...they're the human kind. These are the various lords and governors who exploit the people and make the suffering and starvation even worse--as they strip the land from the people and force them into slavery. However, an honorable gang of bandits have made it their mission to right wrongs, care for the poor and punish the evil men in charge. For a while, their mission goes off without a hitch, as bureaucrat after bureaucrat are captured and sentenced for their crimes. However, one of these evil men, Yo-Joon, is something else. He is not only among the most evil and bloodthirsty, but he's an incredible fighter and more than a match for any of these Robin Hood-style bandits. Plus, he has his loyal band of seven evil warlords and an army...what good could these bandits do against such odds? Well, being heroes, they do what heroes must do even if the mission seems like certain death.

The film's plot is very reminiscent of an old western and the music really heightens the effect. It's not exactly Ennio Morricone's in style but has many similarities to his scores that this great and very prolific Italian composer wrote for epics such as "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" and "A Fistful of Dollars". It's rousing and energetic to say the least. And, the main bandit, Dochi, is also cut from the same mold as these great old films. All in all, a terrific film that features top-notch acting, music and production values--as good as any martial arts movie you could find. See this film...just don't take your young kids. Only a crazy person would let them watch this film or films like it. It's extremely realistic in its violence and bloodshed--as you would expect. So, even if they beg you, find another film for them and watch this one when the little ones are asleep, as it clearly earns its R rating.

"Life and Death are One..."

[poe426 · 9/10 · 25 February 2015]

"Even death is not to be feared by one who has lived wisely." While I might be inclined to argue the point, I won't: KUNDO is about as Western an Eastern as you're ever likely to see (the music in particular harks back to the spaghetti westerns of yore, underscoring, if you will, the obvious influence). When our hero, the butcher Dolmuchi, botches an assassination attempt (he can't bring himself to go through with it), his family is slaughtered and he joins the ranks of the Chusul clan in their village hidden in Mount Jiri: "Comprised of those shunned and rejected by society, they despised greed and unfair authority, loathed those who favored social status over ability, and disdained those who valued the dead more than the living." Now known as "Dochi," he's told to "Live a worthy life." In time, he will face Master Jo Yoon, the man who killed his family. Unfortunately, KUNDO trots out the deus ex machina near film's end- a Gattling gun, of all things- and the tide turns (as well it might) in favor of blah blah blah. That's the only real complaint I have with KUNDO, other than its length (it DOES run a bit long), but some of the action is great (I love the scenes where a very powerful warrior literally SLAPS a pair of attackers out of his way). The movie sums up contemporary politics here in the West well enough when a female warrior says, "Those who've tasted money thirst for more, and public officials are the worst." Some things, it seems, are indeed Universal.

In fact, it's good to end the killing of the eldest brother, but I can't bear to look straight in the back of the robbery court.

[yoggwork · 5/10 · 20 February 2019]

In fact, it's good to end the killing of the eldest brother, but I can't bear to look straight in the back of the robbery court.

A Korean Martial Arts Masterpiece with Strong Western Influences

[bkrauser-81-311064 · 9/10 · 21 January 2016]

Kundo is an odd but charming amalgamation of influences. While very strongly identifying itself as a martial arts film, much like The Good, the Bad, the Weird (2008) in its heart it's a western. Its hero, Dolmuchi certainly lends himself to western tropes; a downtrodden man turned outlaw seeking vengeance. Add to that a Robin Hood-esque sub-plot involving a band of larger-than-life rebels and you have yourself one of the most intriguing South Korean imports since Mother (2009).

All is not well in Joseon dynasty Korea (approximately mid-19th century). There are consistent strife between the the ruling aristocracy and the poverty stricken farmers and artisans that struggle to survive. During this time Jo Yoon (Kang) is taken from the brothel he was born in, to the house of his father (Joo) and told he is the heir to his fortune; that is until his half-brother comes along. Thus, Jo Yoon slides into all-consuming evil and claws his way back up to power after the "death" of his brother. His brother's pregnant wife (Kkobbi) avoids harm so Jo Yoon hires a lowly butcher Dolmuchi (Ha) to finish the job. Dolmuchi refuses and his family is killed as a result. Thus the game of good and evil is set with Dolmuchi siding with a team of bandits who steal from the rich to give to the poor.

Members of the the gang of bandits are introduced with flashy tile cards while riding in the saddle which emulates the slap-dash styling that defined Sergio Leone's most iconic westerns. You get a very clear sense of the personality of the bandits from the get-go and director Jong-Bin Yin wisely uses this short hand so we feel invested in their fate while concentrating solely on the struggles, both internal and external, of Jo Yoon and Dolmuchi. Dong-Won Kang is rapturous with his calm, concise words and demeanor. The concubine's son turned nobleman wears white and darts with the steady grace of a samurai yet his preening has a very dark and sinister side. Meanwhile Jung-Woo Ha's Dolmuchi is as coarse as a bag of rice with his constant swearing and Fairbanksian swagger. Despite receiving a burn on his head after the death of his family, Dolmuchi keeps a sense of humor and takes relish in relieving noblemen from their top knots. The commonality between the two is a seething anger that threatens to undo their progress.

Despite it's epic sweep and solid acting, Kundo may ultimately have trouble putting butts in the seats due to its fighting sequences. The fights are well choreographed don't get me wrong, but there's nothing that stands out apart from perhaps the final showdown. Even then Jo Yoon is put at so much of a disadvantage one can't help but speculate that if he had the use of all his limbs and faculties he would once again be able to easily defeat Dolmuchi. In addition there are some scenes that seem to conflict in tone with one another for no apparent reason. Then again it might just be a product of film grammar from another culture I have yet to truly understand.

All in all though, Kundo is a riveting Korean epic with a story that rivals the best of western mythology. There is some strong character work and directorial choices that sets it apart from others of its ilk and while the fighting scenes were short of spectacular, the bandits and their unique skills sets stop them from becoming monotonous.

The unexpected...AGAIN!

[cdoggy99 · 8/10 · 26 December 2020]

Lemme just say first off that anytime I sit down to watch Korean cinema I have to expect the unexpected. As anyone who has watched a Korean film should know these films do not follow any particular formula like a typical hollywood film. No nice package with a nice bow here. Predictable happy ending? Look elsewhere fan. And that's why Korean cinema is so fascinating to me. Creative, engrossing, dark, and always unpredictable.

Epic Action Great Cast

[EvanKevelson · 8/10 · 6 January 2020]

This had a great balance of action with over the top martial arts in the context of corrupt Josean Empire. It was a great story, the chapters and Westernized score gave it a Tarantino flavor like a Kill Bill morning of the 1800s. The dialogue and story also had that comedic appeal that's subtle without overshadowing the action a hard balance to attain (I've seen it in the Bond Franchise, First 3 Die Hards, and Sergio Leone Classic "The Good The Bad & The Ugly". I found it Brilliant!

Kundo Review: South Korean action epic soars very high!

[Achyut_Prashast_Singh · 10/10 · 27 November 2017]

Movie: Kundo (15)

Rating: 5/5

Period action epics are a delight and treat to watch, largely because of their scale of production, grandeur, visual effects, splendid cinematography and lots of jaw-dropping action sequences. I can happily say I found all these and rather much more than all these in the South Korean action epic KUNDO: AGE OF THE RAMPANT. It's so amazing that I can watch it again and again!

Ha Jung-woo is one of my favourite actors, and his performance is a major asset to this film. The transformation he undergoes is a treat to watch and his look suits him very well. Kang Dong Won is menacing at times, and delivers a terrific performance for a role that seems to be tailor-made for him. Cho Jin-woong and Ma Dong-seok are excellent and provide a good comic relief. Other actors like Lee Sung-min and Yoon Ji-hye, Lee Gyeung-young plays their parts extremely well. The best thing is that all actors fits in their respective roles.

Direction by Yoon Jong-bin is excellent. The story and screenplay are both excellent, as is the editing since the film never bores at all. The technical aspects, for which the film won a lot of acclaim and accolades, are the major strength of KUNDO. The action sequences are jaw-dropping and are bound to impress action fans. The visuals effects are extremely impressive, as is the splendid cinematography. I really loved one shot in the climax action sequence with Ha Jung-woo, which showed him walking, with a good usage of sound effects while maintaining a heavy impact.

The music too is a plus point of KUNDO, as it enhances the mood from time to time. Visually the film is like a fantasy.

KUNDO: AGE OF THE RAMPANT is undoubtedly a great action-fantasy epic that deserves to be seen, at any cost.

Effortless

[Leofwine_draca · 8/10 · 7 May 2022]

A fine historical adventure film, clearly indebted to the Robin Hood story and indeed referencing ROBIN HOOD: PRINCE OF THIEVES quite openly at the end. It's much more humorous than I was expecting, an all-star-cast story of the corrupt Joseon nobility and the outlaws who team up to take them down. Laughs early on give way to wholesale slaughter at a later point, with the usual heavy emoting interspersed with well-staged action sequences. An effortless watch, as usual with Korean cinema.

Best Period Actio Movie

[simplyjhayann · 10/10 · 30 July 2023]

Best period action movie I've seen so far. With star-studded cast, badass martial arts choreography, a pinch of comedic lines, and boy Gang Dong Won as the hottest villain of the Joseon Dynasty.

I've seen a lot of good historical action films created by South Korea, but this one is on my top list. Though too late to have noticed this, I came across this film because I read Gang Dong Won's name included in the cast list. Surprised that he played the anti-hero role, but not surprise how good he is as the main antagonist. This is the first time I'm seeing a movie where I am fixated at the villain instead of the protagonist. LOL. And I am not regretting it. How could he looks so fine while delivering his inhumane lines and killing-spree moves? Not to mention (all) his fight scenes? Honestly, I was rooting for him instead of the heroes. That's how good the Gang Dong Won is. I've watch this film for 3x and still not getting over it.