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Reviews
Chang jin hu (2021)
Special Effects Bad. Story Good!
Saw the movie one day after it's premiere, not a blockbuster war movie like the American's, special effects too outdated, actors of the US or so-called UN army generally too poor at acting, some stupid mistakes on weapons, some over-exaggeration and under-exaggeration of the historical facts, still I'm giving it a 7-star rating as it really brings me back to some of the historical moments of the unavoidable war, reminds me of the great spirits of those courageous predecessors.
(Absolutely love all the Chinese actors especially Zhu Yawen. He's role as a loving father, fearless fighter, resourceful soldier have all my respect. How I never get his charisma before.)
Back to the movie.
**Spoiler alert **
China doesn't want to get involved in a war, any war, especially at a time when it just founded for one year. On several occasions in the movie, the leaders of the Chinese army and some volunteer soldiers repeatedly mention the reason why: They have to fight so that their future generations don't have to. Although too simply and straightforwardly put, it does give me a clue to search for more.
On the inside, the baby PRC have basically nothing to start with. It's too vulnerable as the civil war is still going on, all the imperialist forces are lingering waiting for opportunities to come back. On the outside, as depicted in the film, the US/UN army have crossed 38N°, approaching the Yalu River, bombed over broader areas of China. Sooner or later they will break into China through Korea and China will once again be torn apart.
The movie doesn't really put more focus on depicting the battle of Lake Changjin/ Chosin but on several smaller battlefield before that, so much so I couldn't believe it ends so abruptly with just some historical imagery and brief description of the victory. I'm not a big fan for war theme and pretty disappointed at the artificial explosion scene, still the battle scenes are very splendid presented. It's the first time this special war being brought on the big screen, and considered all the obstacles, I'd say it's a benchmarking war film for China.
One important fact doesn't reflect in the movie got me confused though. The scene the US army general(?) salutes the frozen PVA soldiers is historically wrong. The frozen company was raked with fire not salute.
I do hope war films like this reminds us of the hard-won peace and stable life we enjoy today.