By I think I have made it pretty clear that I am a big fan of Korean cinema. Unfortunately, I now have to add a stipulation there: I like Korean cinema directed by Koreans. Why? Because Rob Cohen, director of such masterpieces as The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor and The Fast and the Furious is working in conjunction with the Korean film industry to make 1950, a film about the Korean war that is budgeted at $100 million. For a point of comparison, IMDb estimates that Bedevilled had a budget of only $700,000 and all three films in the Vengeance Trilogy were made for under $12 million. Why are they giving this guy a budget? All of the above films are serious and seriously violent. They could give the subject matter the tone it deserves. Hell, give the film to Ryoo Seung-wan, he will give it not only the proper tone but the necessary legitimacy of large-scale violence.
I expect this film will be closer to 1941 than to Saving Private Ryan, and that is terrible. The Korean war is a significant one, and it should be treated as such. Giving it to the guy who was the mind behind xXx is just… wrong. Push this film out of your mind and hope it never sees the light of day.
[Via Deadline]