Movie Review 40: Jeon Woo Chi: The Taoist Wizard

Title: Jeon Woochi: The Taoist Wizard (known as "The Tao Fighter: Woochi" in Malaysia) (Korean)

Director: Choi Dong-Hun

Running time: 1 hour 53 minutes

Genre: Fantasy, Action

Woochi (Kang Dong-won) is a Tao wizard from the Chosun dynasty. However, he likes to play tricks on people who he thinks is corrupt and is in need of a good punishment. He accidentally came across a sacred relic that is searched by the demons of the underworld. Through deceit, the demons managed to get Woochi trapped into a scroll but not before Woochi snatched the sacred relic from the demon. Five centuries later, the world is embroiled with demons again and the only hope that the world has is Woochi.

It is my belief that Koreans make really good fantasy movies. Sure they make good love stories too, but whenever one director decided to make a movie that does not have love as the main theme, it amazes the world (yes, yes, I'm exaggerating!)

Anyhow, this movie is great. The fighting scenes, special effects are all top notch and is used in such a way that one doesn't feel over the top. Their wire works are excellent too, their "flying skills" are actually more graceful and natural than the Chinese ones.

The lead actor, Kang Dong-won is able to carry off his mischievous character convincingly. His antics are hilarious and I've seldom seen a male actor fighting in such a graceful way. The flapping of his robes, turning of the hand, stepping on the ground are all perfectly done that it really resemble the ways of the Koreans in the olden days.

The storyline is great, with a great twist in the middle (not a twist anymore if you've read my summary :P) and there're no boring, squishy love scenes! One little negative experience that I have is I have trouble in keeping up with the subtitles. The actors and actresses speak in great speed and the subtitles kept on changing every few seconds. I would have been better if the subtitles are actually in two lines instead of one. As such, I have to choose to either appreciate the movie without understanding what they are talking about or reading the subtitles but missing out the acting.

Anyhow, for those who do not mind reading subtitles and enjoy Korean styled action movies, this is the one you should go to! Unfortunately, it doesn't receive the acceptance it's supposed to have. There were only three other people in the cinema while I watched this!

Observation: I don't understand how Woochi claimed he cannot perform magic when he does not have his magical symbols but doesn't need use them when he perform his magic when he has them in his pouch.

Bottomline: Knowing Korean language would boost the experience with this great movie!

Bamboo Ranking: 4.0 / 5.0