Ashfall (2019) User Reviews

Not a simple disaster movie despite looking like one

[weirdo_th · 5/10 · 17 January 2020]

The goods: -CGI is decent most of the time. -Byung-Hun Lee is amazing as usual. -Destruction scene is great overall. -Character speaks better Mandarin than Hollywood movies. -Funny scenes are generally funny.

The bads: -Cramming in too many genres in one movie. -Trying to do too much at the same time, ended up doing nothing particularly good. -Editing is atrocious, there are at least 4 instances where it feels like it skipped 30 seconds or more of the movie for no reason. -Character makes illogical decisions. -Inconsistent tone. -STOP JOKING WHEN THE SCENE IS SUPPOSED TO BE SERIOUS. -Dong-seok Ma is criminally underused. -Physics makes little sense most of the time. -Inconsistent and forced character development. -Although given an urgency of time, but the pressure is not felt. Character has time to joke around. -Side characters are insignificant and can be discarded at any time. -Movie falls apart somewhere in act 2, and gets worse the longer it goes on.

Verdict: If you are not particularly critical about movies and love some korean blockbusters, go for it. Or else skip this and save some money. Not recommended overall.

an implosive anticlimax

[ops-52535 · 6/10 · 11 February 2020]

There are kots of highlights for the near apocalyptic action genre lovers, but the story and plot are mostly undeveloped and pretty unhinged most of the time. the cataclysmic phases made on vfx and cgi are merely fine, but the way the human story is told its extremely mediocre and a very big nuclear wasted anti climax of a volcanic meltdown.

good production, average acting, terrible story and geopolitical disaster, thinks the grumpy old man, but its still a recommend

Solid adventure/action flick for fans of Korean movies

[LocketGirl · 7/10 · 3 January 2021]

So, after the Korean take on the zombie genre, we now get the big disaster popcorn movie. The basic plot is what you'd expect: Big Bad Thing happens, but Even Worse Thing will happen if the heroes and scientists can't save the day by a dangerous mission. Luckily, the movie still provides many of the factors that make Korean cinema so entertaining. There is almost effortlessly good character chemistry(an art big Hollywood flicks seems to have lost somewhere along the way). There are the big sentimental brush strokes. There is a brisk pace and some twists and turns, and the added factors of the US military, North Korea, and some marvelously sleazy Chinese add some complexity and real world problems apart from the volcano itself. The heroes are ragtag and humorously flawed(another fun factor Hollywood has done away with in the age of Dwayne Johnson chiseled supermen), and hurtle along as best they can without ever really being in control of the situation.

Now, being a popcorn flick it obviously won't reach the amazing heights that Korean arthouse cinema spoils us with. Most notably, there are some bits where the editing is a bit rough, and some transitions are so abrupt it's chuckle-worthy. And plot, as mentioned, does not stray too far from your usual disaster movie formula.

But those small flaws doesn't stop Ashfall from remaining entertaining throughout, and isn't that what a good action movie should do? Definitely worth a watch.

Korean/Hollywood Blockbuster.

[holyshiteverynamehasbeentaken · 6/10 · 4 April 2020]

THIS IS THE CAT!!!!! Anyway,intro's done.Let's begin. This...is quite simple to review.It is a blockbuster. To be precise,a blockbuster is a film type that is mostly followed by several characteristics- -huge budgets -huge financial gain -heavy use of CGI and special effects -famous actors and actress -basic,rudimentary,unoriginal storylines -morally pure protagonists. -pg-13 -positive endings -large action sequences Basically,this film has it all.

Makes disaster films exciting.......

[s3276169 · 7/10 · 22 April 2020]

Ashfall works where most other disaster film's do not because it mixes the basic premise is a way that's novel and exciting.

This might best be described as a disaster film that's also a military thriller, with a great human interest back story. In terms of pacing, it starts off slowly but quickly gains momentum, adding in layers of excitement and varied action, as it moves to its very emotional climax.

Acting is excellent with characters who have real depth and a story to tell. Its worth mentioning that some of the humour might seem a bit odd and a little slapstick, to European audiences. Its moderately reminiscent of the kind of humour that you find in Hong Kong action flicks, Its not to my taste but then this is a Korean film, pitched at Korean viewers.

My only real complaint with Ashfall is the story is a little too complex at times and deviates in different directions, a little too much. It can be hard to keep up with who's doing what to who and why.

That said, Ashfall is still a hell of a lot better than the basic disaster movies, that lazily reply on exposition and special effects, to carry them.

A well deserved 7/10 from me.

I feel like I never have to watch a film again!

[sebvelez15 · 6 March 2021]

Do you have horrible time management and feel overwhelmed with all the movies you could be watching? You're in luck, my friend! Ashfall is like watching 6 movies at once! What begins as a standard disaster movie, with separated spouses and buildings collapsing in San Andreas style, ends with thriller twists, buddy cop comedy and family dramas.

Wow, thanks Ashfall!

Meh...but if there's nothing else to watch

[EShawn · 6/10 · 26 September 2020]

I read the reviews here before watching this movie. Some were a little harsh, others were way too kind. This movie was all over the place. The editing has much less to be desired. As someone else mentioned, it's like they skipped about 15 minutes between some cuts. Making you wonder, "How did they get there?" And, "Where did those people come from?" And they were inconsistent. If you are like me, and notice (whether you want to or not) little things, this might bother you. Eg. Injury on one side of the head at first, then cut to another scene, and the injury is on the opposite side. Cut to another scene, and the injury is back on the original side. The CG was pretty good. But it doesn't carry the story. Storyline had potential, but the way they cut it, diminished it for me. So, if you have nothing else to watch, are fan of Korean action movies, and want to see something to help you go to sleep (not that this is a boring movie), why not. I didn't fall asleep, and it didn't make me regret watching it. I call these "Filler" movies. And if you can watch it with english dub, do so. Some foreign movies are better when watching with original language, and subtitles. This one doesn't make a difference. It would probably be easier to watch in english. So you can at least hear what's being said, while grabbing some munchies, make coffee, or check email. No need to pause. lol

Decent Korean Disaster Movie

[HorrorDisasterGuy-90617 · 6/10 · 6 June 2023]

While the movie is pretty typical for a volcano disaster movie goes, there's a lot of things going on in it. The whole is mostly a group of solider trying to get uranium bomb to prevent another disaster. I don't know if it's possible to get it from North Korea and if it going to work at all. They try to cramp in a lot of things into it like the disaster scenes, the military action, and minor side plot that goes nowhere interesting. The disaster scenes are done pretty good with how much tension it goes to it and the CGI looks pretty decent for it. The characters aren't really that bad, but aren't that memorable. This is a decent watch.

Definitely NOT what I was looking for...

[paulclaassen · 3/10 · 9 August 2020]

I was so looking forward to another great disaster movie from South Korea, and a volcano disaster movie as a bonus, since I haven't seen a good volcano movie since 'Dante's Peak' back in 1997. Unfortunately, 'Ashfall' is not what I was looking for.

'Ashfall' can't decide what it wants to be. Is it comedy, drama, disaster, war movie, or crime thriller? There are too much humor for anything to be taken seriously. They even attempt emotional scenes, but these fail miserably. There are also so many characters and back stories that I completely forgot about the volcano. There's too little volcano action to call this a disaster movie. Apart from the opening scene and the climax, there's hardly any mention-able volcano activity.

The film also blends ideas from 'San Andreas', 'Geostorm', 'Tidal Wave' and 'Pompeii' to no avail. It is completely unbelievable and unconvincing. The situations the characters find themselves in are not always believable, and their actions are questionable. The team sent to activate the detonators are complete idiots and incompetent. The visuals are also mediocre. There's no suspense here and very little that really excited me.

Entertaining enough

[okpilak · 6/10 · 4 February 2024]

It not only is a disaster movie, it is also part comedy. The CGI, and there is a lot of it, it decent and the movie is not sloppy. But it seems Korean movies have to throw in a lot of subplots, and this is no exception. A major volcano erupts, followed by a major earthquake. In the country is an American scientist who is studying the mountain, and he points out below the magma chamber that erupted, there are two smaller ones, but below those is a huge magma chamber, and it is erupts, it will be devastating for the entire peninsula. His plan is to detonate a powerful bomb placed in one of the mining shafts in the mountain which will divert the pressure that is building. Of course, since he cannot guarantee success, it is rejected. Also, it would require nuclear bombs, and it so happens there are six nuclear warheads in North Korea that are about to be surrendered to the US making the peninsula nuclear free. But someone believes in him, and an off the books operation is mounted. Two planes, one with commandos and one with the scientists. En route, one plane crashed, leaving the scientists to do the mission. Naturally, the person who knows where the warheads is Ri, a North Korean held in prison. So he has to be liberated, taken to where the warheads are. And the US gets wind of the operation, and is determined to stop it. And the subplots only are getting started. Still, it is entertaining enough.

After a phenomenal start, the movie just went flaccid...

[paul_haakonsen · 3/10 · 16 May 2020]

I had the chance to sit down and watch the 2019 South Korean movie "Ashfall" here in 2020. I hadn't even heard about the movie prior to getting a chance to watch it. But with it being a South Korean movie, of course I took the time to sit down and watch it.

Now, "Ashfall" was off to an amazing start with some pretty hectic and intense destruction going on, much akin to that which was seen in the "2012" from 2009. And I was impressed, I most definitely was. The CGI was good, and the direction was great, feeling like the audience is right there in the midst of the chaos.

But then the movie settled into a pseudo-military wargame drama - or something like that - and the whole movie just became boring. So frightfully boring and mundane. In fact, I ended up quitting on the movie with 45 minutes still left to watch. Why? Well, I was bored senseless, and I didn't care one bit about the characters nor the story for that matter. So there was really no point in going on.

I was expecting this to be a natural disaster movie, but much to my disappointment the natural disaster aspect of the movie was a mere backdrop in the story.

They did, however, have a good cast ensemble for the movie, and it was nice to see Byung-hun Lee on the screen - despite it being in a movie which ultimately ended up being pointless and boring.

My rating of "Ashfall" lands on a mere three out of ten stars. And I have no intention of returning to watch the last 45 minutes, because I simply don't care an ounce about the story.

Very entertaining and well made

[phd_travel · 8/10 · 6 January 2020]

This disaster plus action movie is exciting from big disaster scene near the beginning to the very end. The effects are as good as any Western blockbuster and the battle sequences are exciting and well choreographed. The characters are funny and quite endearing. The story is more complex than expected with a good amount of humour and some political subplot involving nukes North South China and US. Good use of some big name Korean stars. Worth a watch.

Stupid and tedious

[mister_bateman · 4/10 · 19 May 2020]

A volcano is about to destroy half of Korea and who does the government send? A "special forces" team of completely incompetent idiots who unintentionally fire their guns and panick when a bad guy gives them an angry look. The rest is a barrage of slightly bad to really bad CGI and a neverending series of increasingly uninteresting action scenes to make up for the lack of character and plot development. About halfway through I was looking at the time and wondering when it would finally be over. Don't bother.

Destruction 3/10 with a promising story line gone bad

[HotDoggyBoomBooM · 5/10 · 26 May 2020]

If this movie was solely made for destruction and action escape sequences like most of Hollywood movies does with no logic this movie did it bad. i watched this movie solely for the story line and expected a lot but all ended with a whimper.

Storyline was not that great being a big starrer

[ghoshavijit-62247 · 3/10 · 24 March 2020]

Just watched it but being a big starrer korean movie with Byung-hun Lee , Jung-woo Ha and Dong-seok Ma in the cast ...the storyline was not that great...

For all ages

[MovieBuff_sl · 9/10 · 5 January 2020]

Started off at a slow pace but that's because the background needed to be in place. Mid way thru, it was edge of the seat and Lee Byung Hun was just stellar. Still as charismatic as ever, his character made the movie interesting. Plot was exciting and even my teen daughters enjoyed the movie. Appeal to all ages. Must watch.

Still a distance from San Andreas

[johannong · 3/10 · 8 January 2020]

Below my expectations. Suppose the disastrous erruption was kept far way behind the scnene. The core is strongly focus on the "rescue" mission in which i think the emphasis was bluntly executed. The pulling in of the westerner and the Chinese into the play just not adequately boost up the hype to gain excitement. I noticed most of the facial expression in the movie is very "plastic" except for my idol BHLee.

Average attempt.

[saptesh786 · 5/10 · 13 July 2020]

Though story plot is interesting movie is not much interested. It seem to stretch to be long with trailing drama. In first 20 minutes you understand what is further because army made decision to minimize risk of ashfall.

identity crisis

[nalwro · 1/10 · 8 September 2020]

Tries to be to many things and fail in each. absurd after absurd. thought its gonna be volcano disaster movie but nope. and why hamburgers calling shots on south korea land?

ridiculous Korean action thriller

[SnoopyStyle · 4/10 · 12 June 2021]

Volcanic eruptions on the Chinese-Korean border threaten to throw the entire Korean peninsula into tectonic upheaval. Professor Kang has an unlikely solution. Despite the low possibility of success and with total collapse in the North, the President in the South approves the plan. It requires freeing a prisoner inside North Korea, stealing nuclear weapons, and setting them off inside a mine underneath the volcano. Sure.

I like Jo In-chang to some extend but he and his team need to dial back some of their annoying fraidy cat over-acting. I do like the Lee Joon-Pyeong character but the distance between the two men should be closer. In-chang should tap into his inner "I'm too old for this sh14" and drop the pregnant wife story. I don't mind the ridiculous The Rock action flick but unlike those movies, this one relies on some wrong sensitive politics and some bad characterizations. Instead of this outlandish caper, it would be easier to ask the Americans for help or even the Chinese. The movie should allow the Americans to be total A-holes before moving onto the stupid quest. As for the Chinese, the movie needs to specify clearly that those are criminal triads. The Chinese government already has nukes and they don't need NK nukes. Criminals would want the nukes to sell to the highest bidders. The Americans should target the nukes. They don't want loose nukes out there. That's where the South Koreans should run into them. The two groups would surprise each other with competing agendas at the nuclear storage site. I'm good with the ridiculous action but the bad politics makes no sense. I would also change In-chang and his group. They start out like one of those comedic incompetent squad of soldiers and that's not the right tone. Maybe I missed the comedy in this.

A great movie

[puanpasifica · 9/10 · 9 January 2020]

Worth watching. The plotline, special effect are perfect. This movie is box office in SK, Taiwan, china, hongkong. Another good movie from SK beside Parasite

Good but Does Not Make Sense

[donkrishna-dk · 8/10 · 30 July 2020]

It is a good movie. Korean movie is good in combining humanity, friendship and thrills of action. This movie feels alive. Although the script feels like Armageddon. It is funny to see a person as big as Ma Dong-seok becoming a scientist who can not even kick properly. Also the movie show some confusing happen when an EOD squad must face combat situation since the attack squad banished when their plane crash due to engine failure. They don't have any combat experience so that their attack plan must be intervene by Ri Jun-pyong (Lee Byung-hun) to ensure successful of the mission. The bonding between all the players are good. But there are somethings are don't make sense: 1. A single nuclear war head is already extremely heavy and they bring six of them. They use different transports to move the war heads from APC (it is Barracuda I guess) and then move to a bus and the last one is a small taxi sedan. Now, How can such a small sedan strong enough to carry four grown ups and six nuclear war heads????!!!!! 2. After the nuclear bomb detonated, there is a scene when the taxi sedan driven by Cho Inchang (Ha Jung-woo) hit by explosion wave caused by the nuclear explosion but the car is still running well. How can it be? Nuclear explosion is always followed by strong electromagnetic pulse. So the car should be stopped when the explosion occur.

action entertainment at its best

[mjfhhh · 8/10 · 30 January 2020]

A volcano on Baekdu Mountain which is situated on the Chinese-Korean border is about to erupt. There will be several explosions until the final one that will obliterate both North and South Korea. The only way to stop it is to detonate a nuclear device from within one of the tunnels near mountain. Korean secret services cook up a crazy plan to steal a nuke from their North Korean neighbour, using the help of a North Korean double agent (Korean superstar Byung-Hun Lee) and an inexperienced South Korean commander who has to reluctantly accept the mission when all his colleagues die in the plane crash. Our protagonists will have to face the North Korean army, American special forces, conflicted politicians of South Korea and last but not least - the volcano itself, with each tremor unleashing deadly destruction that can put a stop to the mission at any moment.

ASHFALL doesn't waste time throwing you into the middle of the action, kickstarting with the giant spectacle of distraction in the streets of Seoul, and getting bigger wilder and more audacious with every moment. But its heart is in the right place. Combining many genres, such as buddy comedy, disaster movie, spy movie and heart wrenching drama it is a unique film that works with surprising effectiveness, constantly changing and evolving.

In action films it is the dramatic angle that usually suffers most, but it is covered here neatly, as the friendship between the two leads builds up to comradery and loyalty with believable ease. The action is relentless, and each time the characters get into "hot water", the volcano doesn't stay silent, adding more danger and destruction, which hypes up the scene - a clever trick of the script that should be used more often.

There's not much bad to say about ASHFALL apart from the story being completely unbelievable, but it is action entertainment at its best. Watch it now before it is remade in Hollywood.

Pretty intense action

[dodaeche · 8/10 · 17 January 2022]

I read some of the negative reviews and started this movie with a bit of a tepid mind but I totally liked it in fact loved. It was a fairly adrenaline packed movie. That's what we want from a movie. We want some action we want to be immersed in it and this movie provided that.

The Fall out (of Ashes)

[kosmasp · 8/10 · 23 March 2021]

Action made in Korea is quite something. Now this is not my first rodeo. Does that saying apply in this case too? Well I am certain you understand what I'm trying to say! The movie is packed with action moments and is more than a disaster movie (which is what I was expecting). A lot of things work here. The acting, cliches aside is one of them, but even more so it is the effects and the action scenes throughout the movie.

If you've seen a couple Korean movies you may also be able to actually recognize some of the faces on display here. If you are like me, you will be entertained from start to finish. The scene with the car ... awesome. Of course there is some melodrama ... anothre trope of Korean movies, but it is not bothering at any rate. Entertaining like any US Blockbuster ... maybe even more so