[HanCinema's Film Review] "Noryang: Deadly Sea"

Third and final entry in the trilogy about Yi Sun-sin, "Noryang: Deadly Sea" focuses on the homonymous battle, the last major one of the Japanese invasions of Korea.

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The film begins with the sudden death of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, with his last order being for the Japanese forces in Korea to withdraw back to Japan. Konishi Yukinaga, the leader of Japan's vanguard contingent during the first invasion, in 1592, tried to link with with Shimazu Yoshihiro's fleet of 500 ships, who was trying to cross the Noryang Strait in order to achieve the same, with the two then planning to retreat in Pusan. Yi, on the other hand, not believing that the Japanese would just leave without a fight, aimed at preventing the two from joining forces, with the help of the fleet of Chen Lin of the Ming Dynasty from China, who had, however, previously received bribes from the Japanese to open a route from them, but instead decided to help the Koreans.

The first part of the movie introduces the key figures of the aforementioned events, while adding another element, of Yi being afraid of the Japanese murdering his son. The second and largest part deals with the battle itself, with the last, and rather briefest one, with its aftermath.

In that fashion, the first part does become a bit confusing as the introduction of new characters from the three powers and their spy and political games are presented in a rush, in order for the movie to proceed with the main attraction, which is, of course, the battle. At the same time, however, the comments on the heroism and ingeniousness of Yi, and by extension, of the Koreans, the cruelty and desperation of the Japanese, who found themselves with their back on the wall, and the cunningness of the Chinese, who tried essentially to play the other two against each other, are highlighted quite eloquently.

The naval battle part is definitely as impressive as they can get, with Kim Han-min staying quite close to the actual events, in the most majestic fashion. The initial phases have the two sides maneuvering to get to the best positions, with the fighting initially happening from afar, the flamed arrows and the cannons setting the tone, and the images of both attacking and destruction being outstanding. Kim takes full advantage of the fact that this part took place during the night, in order to make his sequences even more impressive audiovisually, with Ahn Hyun-gun's editing giving a very fitting frantic pace to the whole thing.

The second phase of the battle, and the most desperate one, had the crews of the ships fighting hand-to-hand, with the movie becoming much more brutal, also highlighting the acting even more. Kim Yun-seok as Yi is quite convincing in his no-nonsense demeanor, Baek Yoon-sik as Shimazu highlights his cruelty and despair at the same level, with the same applying to Jung Jae-young's Chen Lin, who is repeatedly portrayed as a lesser man than the other two.

At the same time, and considering the outcome of the battle, the presentation of the heroism of the Koreans and the melodramatic elements could not be missing, with Kim adding to the sentimentality with the music and, partially, with the editing. These elements, however, are actually toned down in comparison with other similar films, with the fact that the focus here is definitely on the naval battle, actually working in favor of the movie.

Also, this review would not be completed if we didn't mention Kim Tae-seong's excellent cinematography, which works quite good both in the action and the 'calm' moments, as much as the whole production values, which result in a true audiovisual treat, particularly during the battles.

Although at a somewhat lower level than "The Admiral: Roaring Currents", "Noryang: Deadly Sea" delivers on everything that it promised on its road to commercial success, and is definitely a film fans of epic movies will enjoy.

Review by Panos Kotzathanasis

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"Noryang: Deadly Sea" is directed by Kim Han-min, and features Kim Yun-seok, Baek Yoon-sik, Jung Jae-young, Huh Joon-ho, Yeo Jin-goo, Lim Il-gyu. Release date in Korea: 2023/12/20.