Review #528 of 365
Movie Review of Dragon Wars: D-War (2007) [PG-13] 90 minutes
WIP™ Scale: $11.00
Where Viewed: Harkins Ciné Capri at Northfield 18, Denver, CO
When 1st Seen: 15 September 2007
Time: 5:20 pm
DVD Release Date: 8-Jan-08 (click date to purchase or pre-order)
Film's Official Website • Film's Trailer
Soundtrack: order the CD below
Directed by: Hyung-rae Shim (2001 Yonggary)
Written by : Hyung-rae Shim (2001 Yonggary)
Featured Cast (Where You Might Remember Him/Her From):
Jason Behr (Skinwalkers) • Amanda Brooks (Flightplan) • Robert Forster (Lucky Number Slevin)
Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word or less review of this film]
Click to read the spoiler points for Dragon Wars: D-War
"Had this film been released in the late 1970s, it might have been a huge hit."
See the spoiler for the complete plot points, but briefly, the legend goes something like this. In the heavens, there are great dragons. They got there by ascending from being ordinary serpents called Imoogi who were so good they were rewarded with a Yuh Yi Joo—a shiny ball of energy that grows in a young girl marked by a dragon tattoo on her shoulder from birth to age 20. If they can find the girl and consume the Yuh Yi Joo, they will transform into a beautiful dragon and rise to the heavens like their peers before them. One evil serpent named Buraki, got the idea to steal and eat the Yuh Yi Joo so he could ascend, but his plan was spoiled, and remained. Now 500 years in the future, as it happens every 500 years, a new girl, Sarah (Amanda Brooks) has been born with the Yuh Yi Joo inside her, and her protectorates must keep her out of harms way until the good Imoogi can consume her Yuh Yi Joo. To help protect her, the fates have reincarnated her ancient protectors, a master and his apprentice: Jack (Robert Forster) and Ethan (Jason Behr). A tv reporter, Ethan stumbles up artifacts from the past, and remembers a story told to him by Jack when he was just a kid—that's where the story gets a big convoluted. Anyway, Buraki has come to Los Angeles with his ancient armies to find the girl with the Yuh Yi Joo. Being that he's a giant serpent, he pretty much destroys everything in his path. Which, of course, doesn't make the government too happy. Eventually, the good and bad Imoogi will have to battle it out down town and then again in the final battle of the film.
There's no question that a random word generator might have written more comprehensible dialogue. Likewise, CGI actors might have delivered more realistic performances than Ms. Brooks and Messers Behr and Forser. But the final battle and Buraki's CGI army marching toward and through downtown Los Angeles was great fun to watch. You've got to give international filmmakers, like Hyung-rae Shim, credit when they attempt to make great movies with huge budgets and special effects. Had this film been released in the late 1970s, it might have been a huge hit.
(all images used with permission for press reprodution)
Amanda Brooks as Sarah Daniels | Jason Behr as Ethan Kendrick |
Jason Behr as Ethan Kendrick & Amanda Brooks as Sarah Daniels huddled on the helicopter pad | Jason Behr as Ethan Kendrick |
Evil Imoogi chasing Amanda Brooks | Evil Imoogi |
Evil Imoogi wrapped around US Bank building | Evil Imoogi at street level |
Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
Other Projects Featuring Dragon Wars: D-War (2007)
Cast Members
Jason Behr • Amanda Brooks • Robert Forster
Director
Hyung-rae Shim
Writer
Hyung-rae Shim
1 comment:
This film is what would happen if you gave the produces of the Mighty Morphing Power Rangers access to the national defense budget. And lots of liquor.
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