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James Marsh

3/5 stars
Korean superstar Gang Dong-won plays a former slave who becomes the leader of a rebellion in Uprising, a lavish period epic from Kim Sang-man (Midnight FM).
The film opened the 29th Busan International Film Festival on October 2, and will be released on Netflix next week.
Co-written and produced by Park Chan-wook, this blood-soaked military saga set in the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910) in Korea centres on a falling-out between two childhood friends, who find themselves on opposing sides of a conflict that threatens to consume the nation.


It opens with the execution of an academic for promoting a philosophical theory that declares all people to be created equal and thereby entitled to the same rights and freedoms.
King Seonjo (Cha Seong-won) denounces this notion of “grand unity” vehemently, as it has been gaining traction among the common people and his enslaved underclass.
Uprising then introduces Cheon-yeong, a young boy born into slavery. He is sold to the king’s senior military official to serve as companion and literal whipping boy for his young son, Jong-ryeo.
Despite being separated by status, and Cheon-yeong’s persistent escape attempts, the boys become fast friends.

Some years later, an invasion by Japanese forces – personified by Jung Sung-il’s despicable general – throws the country into turmoil. The peasants seize this opportunity to revolt against their overlords, sacking the royal palace and burning it to the ground.
The king and Jong-ryeo (Park Jeong-min), now a top military adviser, escape the attack, but Jong-ryeo’s family is not so lucky. His wife and child perish in the fire and he is led to believe, incorrectly, that Cheon-yeong (Gong) is responsible.
Jeon-ryeo vows revenge, while Cheon-yeong, sporting his master’s sword and flowing blue robes, joins the rebellion and becomes something of a folk hero.
Kim delivers a visually polished production, beautifully shot by Ju Sung-lim and boasting some spectacular swordplay that yields a multitude of decapitations and copious bloodletting.

The action builds to a wonderful climax on a deserted beach which sees the principals attempt to square off while enshrouded in thick fog.
Narratively, however, Uprising never quite takes hold. Park Chan-wook apparently spent years developing the screenplay, but the central friendship feels undercooked, so the friends’ falling out lacks dramatic heft.
King Seonjo’s obsession with monarchical absolutism, which ultimately proves his undoing, is similarly underplayed.
As a result, Uprising succeeds only as a flashy showcase for Gang’s impressive sword-fighting skills. Beyond that, it is a rather lightweight and unremarkable affair.
Uprising will start streaming on Netflix on October 11.
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Gang Dong-won as Cheon-yeong in a still from Uprising. Photo: Lee Jae-hyuk/Netflix

Gang Dong-won as Cheon-yeong in a still from Netflix movie Uprising, directed by Kim Sang-man. Cha Seong-won and Park Jeong-min co-star. Photo: Netflix

Park Jeong-min as royal military adviser Lee Jong-ryeo in a still from Uprising. Photo: Lee Jae-hyuk/Netflix

Cha Seung-won as King Seonjo in a still from Uprising. Photo: Lee Jae-hyuk/Netflix

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Big on sword-fighting, but lacking in narrative, Netflix historical movie follows two friends who end up on opposing sides in a rebellion


Big on sword-fighting, but lacking in narrative, Netflix historical movie follows two friends who end up on opposing sides in a rebellion.


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Review | Busan 2024: Uprising movie review – Gang Dong-won leads a rebellion in Netflix thriller

Big on sword-fighting, but lacking in narrative, Netflix historical movie follows two friends who end up on opposing sides in a rebellion