The Restless falls in with recent martial arts epics like The Promise and The Banquet as films that offer plenty of eye candy, yet miss the mark when it comes to a satisfying story.
Some of the effects are well done and some of them are spotty. The metal tentacles of the brothers look really bad. The fight sequences are nothing new. Fans of Wuxia films like "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and "Hero" will see plenty of familiar sights. Lots of flying through the air, impossible acrobatics, and swords clashing. Two skilled combatants squaring off for their lives as pastel colored leaves float around them. The fights in "The Restless" are derivative and lack the grace of the fights from those same films. The film borrows quite a few elements from "Lord of the Rings" as well. I noticed a couple scenes that looked like they were lifted directly from the Peter Jackson-helmed trilogy.
Despite all the lavish effects and martial arts battles, the heart of the film lies in the love story between Yi Gwak and So-hwa. I might have cared more about the star-crossed lovers if the actors had been given stronger material to work with. Jung Woo-sung basically plays the same character that he did in "Musa." Kim Tae-hee always looks like she´ll tip over as soon as she draws her sword. And it seems that half the movie consists of close-up shots of the lead actors staring into the camera with the same, exact bug-eyed expressions of confusion.
VIDEO:
The video is presented in anamorphic widescreen with an aspect ratio of 2.35:1. The cinematography on the film is excellent and the DVD translates this well. The colors are exceptionally strong and the picture isn´t blemished by grain or dirt.
AUDIO:
The audio is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 in the original Korean language with optional English subtitles. Even though it´s a big adventure film, the audio isn´t made of the booming tracks you might expect. Everything comes in crystal clear, but it won´t rattle the chandelier.
EXTRAS:
Making of the Restless (52:10) is the biggest bonus feature provided on the DVD. This is an in-depth look at the making of the film featuring interviews with the cast and crew, plus on-set footage.
Reincarnation in 49 Days (12:21) is an interview with director Cho Dong-oh who talks about where the story came from and how he developed it into a film.
Production Design (12:21) is a look at the film´s sets and special effects.
FILM VALUE:
"The Restless" was written and directed by Jo Dong-oh and Cho Dong-oh. This was their first feature film. I commend them for tackling such a daunting picture for their debut, I can´t help but wonder how it might have turned out had more experienced hands been brought in. "The Restless" falls in with recent martial arts epics like "The Promise" and "The Banquet" as films that offer plenty of eye candy, yet miss the mark when it comes to a satisfying story.
Despite all the lavish effects and martial arts battles, the heart of the film lies in the love story between Yi Gwak and So-hwa. I might have cared more about the star-crossed lovers if the actors had been given stronger material to work with. Jung Woo-sung basically plays the same character that he did in "Musa." Kim Tae-hee always looks like she´ll tip over as soon as she draws her sword. And it seems that half the movie consists of close-up shots of the lead actors staring into the camera with the same, exact bug-eyed expressions of confusion.
VIDEO:
The video is presented in anamorphic widescreen with an aspect ratio of 2.35:1. The cinematography on the film is excellent and the DVD translates this well. The colors are exceptionally strong and the picture isn´t blemished by grain or dirt.
AUDIO:
The audio is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 in the original Korean language with optional English subtitles. Even though it´s a big adventure film, the audio isn´t made of the booming tracks you might expect. Everything comes in crystal clear, but it won´t rattle the chandelier.
EXTRAS:
Making of the Restless (52:10) is the biggest bonus feature provided on the DVD. This is an in-depth look at the making of the film featuring interviews with the cast and crew, plus on-set footage.
Reincarnation in 49 Days (12:21) is an interview with director Cho Dong-oh who talks about where the story came from and how he developed it into a film.
Production Design (12:21) is a look at the film´s sets and special effects.
FILM VALUE:
"The Restless" was written and directed by Jo Dong-oh and Cho Dong-oh. This was their first feature film. I commend them for tackling such a daunting picture for their debut, I can´t help but wonder how it might have turned out had more experienced hands been brought in. "The Restless" falls in with recent martial arts epics like "The Promise" and "The Banquet" as films that offer plenty of eye candy, yet miss the mark when it comes to a satisfying story.
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[release]23979[/release]