I didn’t have high expectations for this film as I knew very little about it, but after reading some good reviews, I decided to give it a shot. I’m glad I did, as it turned out to be an excellent film, despite the fact that at times, in my opinion, the plot feels a bit shallow.
Perhaps it’s because we’re used to slow-paced dramas that span three or four weeks to depict struggles, but in War of the Arrows, everything happens very quickly. I would’ve appreciated a bit more depth in certain key moments, especially when it came to the characters.
Monumental Scenes and Historical Action
Nevertheless, the movie features monumental and intense scenes. It truly lives up to its title, as there’s little use of swords; everything depends on the protagonist’s skill with the bow and arrow. If you enjoy historical genres, this is a must-watch. Set during the second Manchu invasion, the film depicts how the Mongol invaders treated the native Koreans.
As a huge fan of Moon Chae Won and someone who loves the villains played by Park Ki Woong, I found this movie to be a moving story of struggle, injustice, and the quest for happiness in a completely hostile environment. It’s excellently shot, with impeccable archery scenes (though, of course, we’ve seen them before in Robin Hood, they are particularly well done here), and the cinematography at times is chilling.
Cast and Characters
The cast includes:
- Park Hae Il (Paradise Murdered, Doomsday Book) as Nam Yi, the son of a high-ranking man in the kingdom who is betrayed and murdered. He flees with his sister, posing as their father, and is taken in by a family friend who raises them as his own.
- Moon Chae Won (Nice Guy, Good Doctor, Shining Inheritance) as Ja In, a brave woman who is not afraid to confront anything. She falls in love with the adopted son of the family that raised her and faces her brother to marry him.
- Kim Moo Yul (Wife Returns, Doomsday Book) as Seo Gun, the son of the man who adopts Nam Yi and Ja In. A simple and brave man, he fights for what he wants and faces the tragic loss of his family.
- Ryu Seung Ryong (My Girlfriend is an Agent, All About My Wife, Masquerade) as the villain, who becomes obsessed with hunting down the masked archer who is killing his troops without him being able to stop it.
- Park Ki Woong (Full House Take 2, Bridal Mask) as King Doreukon, a ruthless heir to the throne who has no qualms about ordering the deaths of locals.
While the film has all the elements to be truly impressive, I feel like it falls short in the script. However, I still recommend watching it for the sheer pleasure of experiencing such a well-made film.