Musa: A little less honor ensures a longer life...

[dangermousie]

Mr. Mousie and I watched Musa: The Warrior tonight. I really liked it but it was one of the bleakest period martial epic movies I have ever come across.



The plot is fairly simple: a bunch of Koreans go to China on a diplomatic mission which goes disastrously wrong. While making their torturous way home they come across a kidnapped Ming Princess taken by Yuan rebels. The Korean General decides to free the Princess as that would mean the Ming gratitude - or maybe it's just his justification because he is smitten with her at first sight. Yuan, of course, refuse to give up and it escalates from there...

I don't think any of the characters were admirable people but that is precisely why I liked them as characters - the young General was tough but way way waaaay in over his head and with no touch of people skills. The ambassador's mysterious former slave (MMMMMMM!!!!) was an amazing fighter and had a scary sense of loyalty but was ... "not quite right" is a good way to put it. And the Princess was strong in some ways but selfish and spoiled and quite incapable of seeing what she set in motion, until it was too late. Etc etc for all the characters.

There is a lot of wonderfully done battle scenes, there is a very very understated love story (triangle) that left me panting for more (this would have made such a good drama!) but ultimately the movie left me with a sense of bleakness - they might protect the Princess but at what cost? Is the life of one woman worth the lives of scores of warriors from both sides, not to mention lives of a number of peasants, children, and other non-combatants drawn in. I found myself getting frustrated that when things got really hopeless they didn't just bundle her off to the Yuan.

Comments

[meganbmoore.livejournal.com]

I'm fond of it because it's bleak, and because the characters aren't particularly likable.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

It was unusual in that respect and I liked it a lot. But I did find myself talking at the screenreally loudly "just send her back!" When she actually rode out to the Yuan and Former Slave actually stopped her I literally let out a shriek of frustration (also he was offering to chop her head off earlier - carry it through, young man!)

[morwen_peredhil]

That was a depressing one, all right, but I kind of liked it.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Icon!

I liked it a lot because of the bleakness but seriously - I feel bad for the Princess and all but send her back! Why should peasant kids die for her?

[yunhalove.livejournal.com]

I've heard of Musa but never got around to watching it because realistically cruel war depictions always depress me. Now I might actually come around to seeing it this time. Chances are I'll love it but will also spend the whole rest of the day wallowing in my own futile contemplations and feeling sorry for everybody. D:

AND OOH.

Speaking of korean war movies, have you seen Welcome to Dongmakgol? It's not as bleak as this movie- lots of fluffy comedic moments and bright colors, and yet it still manages to be absolutely heartbreaking at certain parts of the movie. Plus the cinematography is gorgeous. Not to mention the fact that it's like the fourth highest grossing korean movie of all time (and for good reason, too). LOL I would give you the trailer, but it spoiled the entire movie for me so I'd advise against it. ):