It recently came to Netflix, so I figure more US audience would be watching the movie, then I see so many reviews saying it's bad because it's propaganda. Thanks for showing how double standard works guys. It's not the best movie, but it's fun, thrilling to watch, based on real event and reasonablly realistic, so I give it an 8. On the other hand, If it is pure propaganda, I'm glad to know that when things go down, Chinese government get stuff done, fast.
79 Reviews
Elite Warriors
kosmasp13 March 2021
Dante Lam .. I think it has been too long since I saw a movie of his. And watching this, I have to say, if he can do one thing right, it is the action sequences. No prisoners taken and all that. A lot of (CGI) blood and a lot of death. The stunt work here is amazing to say the least! The sound effects, the tension, the adrenalin ... everything is working just fine here.
There may be a little patriotism, but other than that ... also like with Wolf Warrior, it's not like we are not used to that from US/Hollywood output. So it is more or less the same, just in chinese. But the action actually is one might say better choreographed than the American counterpart ... or at least as good.
There may be a little patriotism, but other than that ... also like with Wolf Warrior, it's not like we are not used to that from US/Hollywood output. So it is more or less the same, just in chinese. But the action actually is one might say better choreographed than the American counterpart ... or at least as good.
Lots of action, at least
sandy-3177625 October 2021
If you are interested in a fair war movie with tons of action, lots of interesting military equipment, and some gore, this is for you.
There is a pretty huge cast of characters, and since most wear drab clothing or military uniforms it is not always easy to keep them separate, but on the other hand you can just remember Chinese = Good and keep it straight.
The Chinese military is portrayed as high tech which I guess is fair, because this isn't their military as a whole but a small elite group. Special effects are quite good and some aspects of warfare are gotten right, which are often bungled by western war movies. For instance, a mortar attack is portrayed as the consuming terror that it is rather than a bunch of bloodless explosions.
The gore is pretty shocking when it occurs (limbs blown off, etc.) but it is also not focused on. I quite enjoyed it.
There is a pretty huge cast of characters, and since most wear drab clothing or military uniforms it is not always easy to keep them separate, but on the other hand you can just remember Chinese = Good and keep it straight.
The Chinese military is portrayed as high tech which I guess is fair, because this isn't their military as a whole but a small elite group. Special effects are quite good and some aspects of warfare are gotten right, which are often bungled by western war movies. For instance, a mortar attack is portrayed as the consuming terror that it is rather than a bunch of bloodless explosions.
The gore is pretty shocking when it occurs (limbs blown off, etc.) but it is also not focused on. I quite enjoyed it.
Too many double standard reviews
zhao-111095 February 2019
Those who thought the movie was pure war scene should watch the Pacific, which also solely described the war scene in WW2. You could feel it, you could see it, you could witness the brutality, you could be shocked by the reality, that's filming. You wanna see superhero killing thousands of bad guys without injury but do not want to face the terrible war that is going on in the Middle East. Those who thought it was propaganda should comment the same under the American Captain and under the First Blood. Biased eyes could not see the fair world.
Much better than that War Wolf
w-7147411 April 2020
"Wolf Warrior 2" is popular in the summer vacation, and madly swept more than 5 billion.
But as long as you dare to say that it is not good at all, you will be besieged by brains, be greeted by your family, and even rise to an unpatriotic level.
Everything is afraid of comparison. The advent of "Operation of the Red Sea" makes "War Wolf 2" look quite ridiculous in comparison, just like the children of kindergarten have played with each other.
We would like to thank Director Lin Chaoxian, who proved how high Chinese military films can be, he improved our aesthetics, and he made us understand that War Wolf 2 is indeed not good enough.
But as long as you dare to say that it is not good at all, you will be besieged by brains, be greeted by your family, and even rise to an unpatriotic level.
Everything is afraid of comparison. The advent of "Operation of the Red Sea" makes "War Wolf 2" look quite ridiculous in comparison, just like the children of kindergarten have played with each other.
We would like to thank Director Lin Chaoxian, who proved how high Chinese military films can be, he improved our aesthetics, and he made us understand that War Wolf 2 is indeed not good enough.
Worth watching!
Firestorhm7729 January 2020
This movie was actually better than I expected. Though not perfect, it provided a decent storyline and lots of action. It's definitely worth seeing at least once.
I see some of the more critical reviewers saying how it is just Chinese propaganda. I would argue it's not much different than most of our American movies that display sacrifice and heroism (such as films like Act of Valor).
Besides, the trivia section of this movie even states that this film was "a gift for the 90th Anniversary of the Founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, as well as the Communist Party's 19th National Congress." So what do you expect? And quite frankly, who cares if it's propaganda-like for the Chinese citizens?
Give this movie a shot. It is enjoyable and definitely worth seeing. you may be surprised how well the story moves along with multiple battle sequences. I also appreciated seeing another country's attempt at an action/military movie.
I see some of the more critical reviewers saying how it is just Chinese propaganda. I would argue it's not much different than most of our American movies that display sacrifice and heroism (such as films like Act of Valor).
Besides, the trivia section of this movie even states that this film was "a gift for the 90th Anniversary of the Founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, as well as the Communist Party's 19th National Congress." So what do you expect? And quite frankly, who cares if it's propaganda-like for the Chinese citizens?
Give this movie a shot. It is enjoyable and definitely worth seeing. you may be surprised how well the story moves along with multiple battle sequences. I also appreciated seeing another country's attempt at an action/military movie.
Great action movie
brianpleung29 November 2019
Similar to American made war movie in terms of action, equipment, tactics, but more realistic showing that enemy's capabilities and good guys getting hurt and shot! Some people say it's Chinese military propaganda, I'd say it's about the same level of s**t as u see American war movies. If only bad guys die so much more often than good guys, we wouldn't have so many wars. 🤔. A good change to see heroic action movies that don't speak English!
Chinese military movie
SnoopyStyle2 August 2018
It's 2015 in the Gulf of Aden. Pirates have captured a Chinese merchant ship and the Chinese navy goes into action. A Chinese sniper is crippled while trying to arrest an escaping pirate. Reporter Xia Nan pursuing a terrorist and yellowcake uranium story is almost killed in a car bombing. After a coup in Yewaire, a naval task group and special forces are sent to evacuate civilians.
There are a few concepts combined in this Chinese movie. The best one is the Black Hawk Down military movie. They obviously invested a lot military hardware. It's a patriotic affair and proud of it. Morocco makes for a solid devastated city backdrop. There is plenty of big explosions. Other than a few Matrix bullet time fantasy scenes, it works quite well as a semi-real action packed thrill ride. The characters have no particular charisma or individuality. It's just action and military hardware. It's not high-minded, and I have no problem with that. The reporter's story is probably trying to inject some political nuance which is unnecessary. She's a good character but it would make more sense if she's a Chinese super spy Jane Bond. She could lead the soldiers with intel to rescue the civilians and take down a terrorist group. Overall, this is a functional action movie. The lack of a lead protagonist does hold it back some. More time early on spent on the Captain would help.
There are a few concepts combined in this Chinese movie. The best one is the Black Hawk Down military movie. They obviously invested a lot military hardware. It's a patriotic affair and proud of it. Morocco makes for a solid devastated city backdrop. There is plenty of big explosions. Other than a few Matrix bullet time fantasy scenes, it works quite well as a semi-real action packed thrill ride. The characters have no particular charisma or individuality. It's just action and military hardware. It's not high-minded, and I have no problem with that. The reporter's story is probably trying to inject some political nuance which is unnecessary. She's a good character but it would make more sense if she's a Chinese super spy Jane Bond. She could lead the soldiers with intel to rescue the civilians and take down a terrorist group. Overall, this is a functional action movie. The lack of a lead protagonist does hold it back some. More time early on spent on the Captain would help.
SPEC OPS THE ACTION MOVIE: "Operation Red Sea"
Forestaller17 February 2018
Who'd have thought that the first live-action SPEC OPS action movie with realistic effects work would be made by China (starring their Navy SPEC OPS "Sea Dragons")? I guess I was wrong to think that without a rating-system, Chinese movies wouldn't dare to show anything -- it turns out that they have no qualms about showing everything (without lingering over it like Hollywood gore porn, of course) if the movie/genre was right...
Featuring 5 main escalating missions/set-pieces -- which are always strongly grounded by detailed sniper tactics and expertly strung together with clear plot-points as well as characterizations -- all the usual Hollywood war/military movie "fat" (such as "character arcs", "grand narratives", "social justice" polemics, etc) has been trimmed off, so that military enthusiasts can simply immerse themselves in the gritty and heart-pounding SPEC OPS action.
Just for its utter lack of pretension (to appear more "balanced", "diverse", profound", etc.) -- 10/10, would BANG again!
Featuring 5 main escalating missions/set-pieces -- which are always strongly grounded by detailed sniper tactics and expertly strung together with clear plot-points as well as characterizations -- all the usual Hollywood war/military movie "fat" (such as "character arcs", "grand narratives", "social justice" polemics, etc) has been trimmed off, so that military enthusiasts can simply immerse themselves in the gritty and heart-pounding SPEC OPS action.
Just for its utter lack of pretension (to appear more "balanced", "diverse", profound", etc.) -- 10/10, would BANG again!
Non stop action
zyclunt13 January 2021
So if You want an non stop action with little story this movie is for You. Premise is simple special ops from China doing evacuation of their embassy in war torn country. Of course it's just the beginning of troubles for chinese commando unit. And movie is packed with shootouts, car chaces, tank battles, sniper duels and so on. Practicaly all the quite scenes between fighting are trimmed to bare minimum. And the action looks good, a lot of money went into special effects. There is a bit of propaganda in the movie fortunately on the level of American war movies. Be warned operation Red Sea is not for children some scenes are gory and too realistic. But if You are above 18 and want some good action movie give it a try.
Over-the-top military action movie
jamesrupert20142 October 2018
If you like this sort of movie, you will love this one: non-stop action, graphic bloodletting and many 'tough guy' moments as well as lots of armaments on display, ranging from a huge variety of small arms to tanks, drones, missiles, anti-missile 'Gatling guns', and helicopter gunships: all very cool and very loud. The grind-along soundtrack pumps up the action and the cinematography/CGI/stunts are all excellent. The plot follows a Chinese Navy special-ops team as they attempt a number of rescues in a fictional middle-eastern country (inspired by the 2005 rescue of Chinese nationals in Yeman). Mixed up in this is plucky reporter trying to find a MacGuffin containing information about 'yellowcake' that the terrorist plan to use in a dirty bomb. All of this is simply an excuse for loud and bloody mayhem. Like "Black Hawk Down", the film focuses on the comradery of the 'men (and women) on the ground', and if it doesn't scare you off, may make you want to sign up for a stint. The final scene, almost a cinematic ultimatum, is pure jingoism.
Hong Kong disappoints
MountainBiker25 December 2018
This is the Oscar submission from Hong Kong? Were there no other movies to choose from?
This is an utterly horrible film. The director, writer (was there one?), the acting all horrendous. The storyline ... um ... wasn't there. It felt like a group of sixth graders were given a lot of money to blow up their action figures.
This is an utterly horrible film. The director, writer (was there one?), the acting all horrendous. The storyline ... um ... wasn't there. It felt like a group of sixth graders were given a lot of money to blow up their action figures.
Incredibly amazing action sequences
TheBigSick17 February 2018
Actually, most of the film is just above average, and the score would be like 7/10. However, the action sequences between Minute 100 and Minute 120 are incredibly brutal, realistic, bloody, traumatizing and unbearable, and are among the finest action scenes I've ever seen. Thus, I would give the film a 8.5/10 overall rating.
Similar to the Chris Nolan's "Dunkirk" and the action flick "Operation Mekong" in 2016, also directed by Dante Lam, this film "Operation Red Sea" sacrifices plot and character development for action, and fortunately it works. The cinematography, film editing, sound editing, sound mixing, visual effects, action choreography, original score and production design are just speechless. The film borrows ideas from several Hollywood blockbusters, such as the moral debate in "Saving Private Ryan", the special force fights of "Black Hawk Down", the war scenes at "Hacksaw Ridge", the tank battles from "Patton" and most importantly "American Sniper"'s sniping sequences.
Similar to the Chris Nolan's "Dunkirk" and the action flick "Operation Mekong" in 2016, also directed by Dante Lam, this film "Operation Red Sea" sacrifices plot and character development for action, and fortunately it works. The cinematography, film editing, sound editing, sound mixing, visual effects, action choreography, original score and production design are just speechless. The film borrows ideas from several Hollywood blockbusters, such as the moral debate in "Saving Private Ryan", the special force fights of "Black Hawk Down", the war scenes at "Hacksaw Ridge", the tank battles from "Patton" and most importantly "American Sniper"'s sniping sequences.
Fictional action packed promo for the Chinese Navy
mike_bike_kite26 September 2018
Not really a film but more an action packed promo for the Chinese Navy! Based on a true story though, in real life, I don't believe the Chinese did any actual fighting, let alone fight against impossible odds. Perhaps it's better to say this film is loosely based on Black Hawk Down. I found it a bit amusing how they kept reiterating how uncomfortable they were going into other nations territorial waters while in real life the Chinese seem quite happy to rename these waters as their own. These days they're even building their own islands in international waters and then calling the surrounding seas their own too!
As a make believe action film I think it works, it's action packed and doesn't pull any punches. As a portrayal of a true story it's almost 99% fiction. As a statement of intent for the Chinese Navy I found it a little worrying. It will be "interesting" to see how the Chinese Navy live up to the film, I suspect they're going to get some real life practise in the coming years.
As a make believe action film I think it works, it's action packed and doesn't pull any punches. As a portrayal of a true story it's almost 99% fiction. As a statement of intent for the Chinese Navy I found it a little worrying. It will be "interesting" to see how the Chinese Navy live up to the film, I suspect they're going to get some real life practise in the coming years.
my notes
FeastMode26 July 2019
Basically everything i said and felt about operation mekong (same director) applies to this movie. the action was awesome, intense and large. so many great action scenes and moments. enough action in the first half to fill a whole movie. the music was awesome. some really great shots.
the reason i didn't give it a higher score is because i didn't really care about the characters or the details of the story. when the action wasn't happening i didn't care much. that's partly because of the language barrier, but also partly because there are a LOT of characters. so you don't become attached to any of them. there are still some scenes with good emotions, but half the time i didn't know who was who. also as much of an action junkie as i am, near the end it started becoming too much. i got action fatigue. it was a little too long and didn't was a bit anti-climactic with a long end scene after the climax
lots of realism in the action with some great gore scenes. lots of moments that subvert expectations. this was a well made movie... for the most part. i probably wouldn't watch it again (1 viewing)
the reason i didn't give it a higher score is because i didn't really care about the characters or the details of the story. when the action wasn't happening i didn't care much. that's partly because of the language barrier, but also partly because there are a LOT of characters. so you don't become attached to any of them. there are still some scenes with good emotions, but half the time i didn't know who was who. also as much of an action junkie as i am, near the end it started becoming too much. i got action fatigue. it was a little too long and didn't was a bit anti-climactic with a long end scene after the climax
lots of realism in the action with some great gore scenes. lots of moments that subvert expectations. this was a well made movie... for the most part. i probably wouldn't watch it again (1 viewing)
Director Lin Chaoxian is more and more outstanding in grasping the theme of patriotic films
xuefeiding-472893 July 2020
The film is adapted from the real events of Yemeni emigration. From the beginning of the evacuation of overseas Chinese, hijacking accidents, the Jiaolong team accepted the task and completed the task, all the way to the end. There was no particularly sensational dialogue and drama, and all kinds of weapons and artillery were fired directly. Some scenes are really bloody, which really makes people feel the cruelty of war and the precious of peace. Praise for China's special forces.
Some reviewers are really salty and pathetic....
jxgaoswag6 March 2019
Why don't some American admit that they are brain controlled by their ridiculous government and media? These Americans always choose to be blind when they are betrayed or abandoned by their government. So sad and pathetic... The reason that they think this film is a propaganda is because American hero movies are all propagandas. What a pathetic reality. China is stronger and stronger. Get back your prejudice and wait to be surpassed....
One of the greatest action movies ever made
kluseba18 June 2020
Operation Red Sea is a Chinese big budget patriotic action film that is inspired by the highly successful Operation Mekong released two years earlier but follows a different set of characters in a different location. The story takes place on the Arabian peninsula where a group of terrorists overthrows a weak government. The People's Liberation Army Special Operations Forces are given order to evacuate Chinese personnel and workers from the country. They must save a hostage from a heavily guarded terrorist stronghold. The group comes across an ambitious French-Chinese journalist who reveals that the terrorists plan to weaponize yellowcake materials into a dirty bomb. The military personnel must now save the hostage, protect the journalist and prevent the yellowcake materials to be delivered to the terrorists.
This stunning movie convinces on numerous levels. The story isn't particularly imaginative but already more elaborate than similar American movies and comes around with a few interesting events and turns. The characters are attaching, diversified and unique as viewers will care about their fates. The realistic locations have been perfectly chosen and offer much diversity. The action scenes are among the most spectacular ones ever created. Especially the bloody showdown in the terrorist stronghold is absolutely breathtaking. The special effects are employed with care as the movie has a realistic touch. Despite a length of nearly two hours and a half, this film never gets boring and convinces from start to finish. Even the deleted scenes adding more information about the lead characters are sympathetic and could have been included in the original movie without making things redundant at all. While many similar Chinese movies are a little bit too patriotic, this one here focuses on the story, locations and characters which makes it more diversified.
If you like action movies, you should definitely watch Operation Red Sea that offers some of the very best fight scenes ever created in the history of cinema. As if this weren't enough, the movie convinces with an above average story, sympathetic characters and gripping tension that will keep you hooked for nearly two and a half hours. While American cinema led the world with action franchises such as Rambo four decades ago, the best action franchises these days seem to come from China and deserve more international attention and acclaim.
This stunning movie convinces on numerous levels. The story isn't particularly imaginative but already more elaborate than similar American movies and comes around with a few interesting events and turns. The characters are attaching, diversified and unique as viewers will care about their fates. The realistic locations have been perfectly chosen and offer much diversity. The action scenes are among the most spectacular ones ever created. Especially the bloody showdown in the terrorist stronghold is absolutely breathtaking. The special effects are employed with care as the movie has a realistic touch. Despite a length of nearly two hours and a half, this film never gets boring and convinces from start to finish. Even the deleted scenes adding more information about the lead characters are sympathetic and could have been included in the original movie without making things redundant at all. While many similar Chinese movies are a little bit too patriotic, this one here focuses on the story, locations and characters which makes it more diversified.
If you like action movies, you should definitely watch Operation Red Sea that offers some of the very best fight scenes ever created in the history of cinema. As if this weren't enough, the movie convinces with an above average story, sympathetic characters and gripping tension that will keep you hooked for nearly two and a half hours. While American cinema led the world with action franchises such as Rambo four decades ago, the best action franchises these days seem to come from China and deserve more international attention and acclaim.
The shape of things to come
Radu_A7 July 2018
Remember, people: this is a story about an elite military unit trying to foil a dirty bomb plot during a different rescue mission, nothing more, nothing less. Given this story line and its clear focus on action, allow yourselves to be entertained. Its the bang-boom-bang movie of the year, which is why it's on track to become China's most successful movie export ever. Expect more of this with the trade war, as the ending clearly suggests that it's also intended as a line in the sand - pardon, sea - between China and the US of A.
My two cents on the most frequent criticism on this one: there's no story and pretty much constant action. As other people have pointed out: the reason why this movie is constant, uninterrupted mayhem is that warfare really is that crazy, as anyone can learn from a multitude of books, documentaries or (like yours truly) friends in the military. The situation in Yemen - for which the location is a thinly veiled stand-in - is so complex that one should feel grateful that there is no attempt whatsoever to put what happens into perspective, as so many Hollywood propaganda drivels do.
I didn't like the predecessor to this one, "Operation Mekong", because of its truckload of stereotypes about Thais and Burmese. "Operation Red Sea" is a huge improvement because it doesn't pretend to be anything more or less than an action flick with a bit of "China saves the day" on the side.
My two cents on the most frequent criticism on this one: there's no story and pretty much constant action. As other people have pointed out: the reason why this movie is constant, uninterrupted mayhem is that warfare really is that crazy, as anyone can learn from a multitude of books, documentaries or (like yours truly) friends in the military. The situation in Yemen - for which the location is a thinly veiled stand-in - is so complex that one should feel grateful that there is no attempt whatsoever to put what happens into perspective, as so many Hollywood propaganda drivels do.
I didn't like the predecessor to this one, "Operation Mekong", because of its truckload of stereotypes about Thais and Burmese. "Operation Red Sea" is a huge improvement because it doesn't pretend to be anything more or less than an action flick with a bit of "China saves the day" on the side.
This is a movie you should't miss.
xlou-572993 March 2018
This movie is everything but boring. I couldn't sleep after watching it and keep thinking how lucky I am to live in a peaceful place. It 's a movie that make you want to stay millions of miles away from war, any war. American social media, as they always do, think China simply wants to show off its military power and poses a threat to the U.S.'s control of South Sea in this movie(where on earth they got this?I must have missed it in the movie!) , it is really not about China being this or that, as the 8 Chinese soldiers are not even allowed to carry any Chinese weapons to enter the war zone and all used weapons are provided by local government, it is about we should be thankful that we don't live in war zone. And we shall all be damned if a war ever came, especially the commoners like you and me.
bad or good movie? can't decide..
slamnati-jeti19 September 2019
Clearly army/navy propaganda film from series of chinese army (sky hunter, wolf warrior) , but never the less all holiwood movies are the same..
action is good, SFX are good also,...but there are too much of it. you can barely come to the end, becouse story line is not smooth.They wanted too much to show branches of Specia Forces , so film has gone bad,...ther is no character buildning, one time they have no emotions at all, next time they are crying,...
same goes for "terrorists",..standard islam "bad guys" , witch in the middle of war cat post a single sentry in war zone,..if you seen the movie you know what i mean,..
overall... good sfx, good action, good lighting,.,, bad acting, bad screenplay, bad directing,... cat give more than 6 ...
action is good, SFX are good also,...but there are too much of it. you can barely come to the end, becouse story line is not smooth.They wanted too much to show branches of Specia Forces , so film has gone bad,...ther is no character buildning, one time they have no emotions at all, next time they are crying,...
same goes for "terrorists",..standard islam "bad guys" , witch in the middle of war cat post a single sentry in war zone,..if you seen the movie you know what i mean,..
overall... good sfx, good action, good lighting,.,, bad acting, bad screenplay, bad directing,... cat give more than 6 ...
War, war never changes.
soliddeng24 February 2018
I finished the movie yesterday, still fell unreal. It's like a civilian first time experiencing real war, not the kind of wars that were shown in the Hollywood war movies, but an extremely realistic one, the one that you will experience when you walk right into the middle of an ongoing armed conflict . I have watched countless war movies from all over the world but I have never felt the way like I had on yesterday. I heard from my Chinese friends about modern Chinese young netizens love to see China gets into a war with other countries to demonstrate the ability of their Military force. I strongly advice them to see this movie, to see what will really happen in a war.
some feelings
j_movie24 August 2021
The first half is bombarded indiscriminately, the second half is desperate, and the back is obviously better than the front. Lin Chaoxian has great ambition. He filled this work with too many clues and expected war scenes, so he completely abandoned the literary drama and really did it from beginning to end. The carnival of war film lovers, the ordinary audience will be very tired. It should become a new benchmark for the completion of mainland war films.
Could have been great...
bairjohn25 September 2018
Like many oriental films a tad bit long. The story line was a little hard to follow, I tried to find info on the real events doesn't seem things happened quite the way the movie shows it but, China did rescue folks from Yemen.
Graphically not bad, I would say worth watching but probably best on a rainy afternoon at home.
Graphically not bad, I would say worth watching but probably best on a rainy afternoon at home.
Great movie about the bravery and valour of China!
Dr_Mark_ODoherty2 August 2019
I think this is a really a good movie about the the bravery and valour of soldiers in China, many of them who make great sacrifices to keep the international community safe from violent extremism; the Navy and Air Force of China working very well together with the International Community to protect human rights and civil liberties in the world!
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