Synopsis
In 1862, amidst the rule of the late Joseon dynasty in Korea, a band of fighters named Kundo rise against the unjust authorities.
Your Movie Library
Cast
- Ha Jung-wooDol Moo-chi
- Gang Dong-wonJo-yoon
- Lee Kyung-youngTtaeng-choo
- Lee Sung-minDae-ho
- Cho Jin-woongLee Tae-Ki
- Ma Dong-seokChun-bo
- Yoon Ji-hyeMa-hyang
- Kim Hae-sookDol Moo-chi's Mother
- Han YeriGok-ji
- Jeong Man-sikButler Yang
Recommendations
- 70
The Hollywood Reporter
The convoluted plotting, profusion of characters and heavy doses of explanatory narration may prove off-putting for some less attentive viewers. But the director infuses the fast-proceedings with enough visual flair — inspired by filmmakers ranging from Kurosawa to Leone to yes, Tarantino — to provide ample compensation. - 70
Variety
Kundo: Age of the Rampant delivers a thoroughly entertaining if overlong gallop through the trusty old story of honorable bandits stealing from nasty rich people and distributing the proceeds to downtrodden peasants. - 63
Washington Post
In its second half, “Kundo” becomes robust and exhilarating. The filmmakers stage cast-of-dozens battle scenes and one-on-one showdowns with equal brio. - 60
Los Angeles Times
Kundo: Age of the Rampant is an often entertaining if overlong look at the last days of Korea's Joseon Dynasty. - 50
Slant Magazine
The film's attempt at political commentary amounts to a half-baked treatise on good governance in the face of tyranny and socioeconomic exploitation. - 50
Village Voice
With its harmonica-heavy score and rousing shots of these horse-riding antiheroes, Kundo's early and late scenes resemble a Western as much as the historical epic its middle section gradually turns into. - 50
The New York Times
For all its gloss, “Kundo” fails to resonate. You appreciate the execution, but the film is hindered by its lack of novelty and metaphorical weight.
