Kick'em In The Ghoulies

Directed by : Kim Han-Min

Starring : Choi Min Sik

Ryu Seung Ryong

The Admiral Roaring Currents

What is there to say about a film which has become the highest grossing film in South Korea and the first local film to take over US$100 million and broke the highest ticket sales record in the country previously held by James Cameron's Avatar.

The Admiral Roaring Currents , sometimes referred to as either The Admiral or Roaring Currents (It's UK DVD release title) is a film focusing on the exploits of famed Navel expert Admiral Yi Sun Sin in the battle of Myeongnyang around 1597.

Playing the Admiral is award winning actor Choi Min Sik ( Old Boy , Nameless Gangster) who plays his role with such passion and to be quite honest if I had not known he was in the film I would have taken a lot longer to recognise him due to some extensive make up and the heavy set costumes.

I think many are so used to seeing Choi Min Sik play in modern action rather then traditional fare . But Choi Min Sik is a actor who becomes his character , he is so believable in his many films it's amazing his focus is so intense in whatever role he plays.

As a strategic Navel officer Yun Sun Sin was a expert in battle formations and heralded as one of the greatest navel commanders of all time .

This film follows the second Japanese invasion of Korea , Yun Sun Sin served in booth wars , which where very close , about six years or so.

Yun Sun Sin ruled his command by instilling fear into his men , he thought that men under his command should be loyal to their duty regardless of personal injury or death.

The Japanese invaders also used fear to extreme means to weaken their adversaries by capturing soldiers , torturing them and sending them back to their families dead ,decapitated or in pieces.

After having spent time imprisoned after the first Japanese invasion due to his strict rule the Monarchy of Korea imprisons him, released he is given back his post literally days before the Japanese set to re invade.

The film concentrates on the build up to the main battle where Yun Sun Shin faces the force of the Japanese Navy whose force exceeds some three hundred ships .

What's more Yun Sun Shin does this but with just twelve ships at his disposal . The Japanese however are convinced there constant attacks on the Koreans have weakened their gusto for fighting through their intimidation ,torture and killing .

But it's courage that Yun Sun Shin is counting on. As through his own actions of not giving up no matter what the cost will hopefully bring all his men together in one last bid of patriotism .

What your find with Admiral Roaring Currents is once the build up to the main battle is under way it's not long before your cast head first into this tremendous battle .

Combining strategic manoeuvres with clashing battles with cannon and smashing skirmishes as ships collide for battle as troops from either side embark on boarding the enemies vessels.

How much of the film is CGI is not important as the line between what is CGI and what is not is mostly impossible to distinguish. Though I'm pretty sure they did not have over three hundred ships on the open water ..but it sure does look like they did.

The film shows how Yun Sun Shin discovered he could use the tides and time of day to best place himself at a advantage over his attackers.

But it's not just about sailing ships on high water, the battle scenes within the film are excellently done with skirmishes showing the brutal horrors of war as the two sides board each others ships to take control.

There are some well choreographed fights going on all around as you watch, your have one battle going on in front of you with another going on in the background ,what's clever is the way your able to take in different parties fighting at the same time within the same shot , this is of course due to some magnificent camera work which captures a broad spectrum of the area your watching.

The film also had a limited release in North America ,opening in thirty cinema's , due to some great reviews it expanded to another twelve cinema's in it''s second week of release .

Plus the film has been nominated in many awards and actually winning eighteen of those awards from 'Actor of the Year for Choi Min Sik to Best director , Best cinematography and Best film .

A full list of awards won are listed below.

South Korean cinema continues to set benchmarks in great movie making. The Admiral Roaring Currents is a must see for fans of Choi Min Sik and action film fans alike.

Reviewed By : Sertes Nake

Review Date : May 14th 2015

Image  © Big Stone Pictures / CJ Entertainment 2014