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May 18 (DVD) (DTS) (Limited Edition) (Korea Version) DVD Region 3

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Customer Review of "May 18 (DVD) (DTS) (Limited Edition) (Korea Version)"

Average Customer Rating for this Edition: Customer Review Rated Bad 8 - 8.4 out of 10 (9)
Average Customer Rating for All Editions of this Product: Customer Review Rated Bad 8 - 8.5 out of 10 (10)

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simon
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February 3, 2009

May 18 Problem Customer Review Rated Bad 4 - 4 out of 10
I was pretty excited about the release of this DVD. I am a student of Korean Language and history and have a deep interest in Korean film.

When the film arrived I was even more anxious to watch it. it is packaged wonderfully, nice booklet, and great little post card set.

Last Night I watched May 18 and all I can say is how disappointed am am right now! There was no background to the events leading up to the event so first off this film is not very inciteful for foreigners, like myself. I know, I said I was student of Korean, so I do know about it already. However, the film looses all focus due to the most important information being obselete. The "uprising" or "massacre", however you want to say, kicks of immediately. Sorry, unless the scene of some planes flying to Kwangju are supposed to explain the political situation.

I know what happened in Kwanju, but the poor direction of the film left me indifferent to the scenes on offer to me. Obviously this was made just for Koreans, but there still needs to be a story of what actually led to the events on may 18 occuring. The film just concentrated on the violence. Sure thats important, but if we don't know how the situation in Kwangju erupted then I think it will be difficult for the film to entice any serious sympathy or emotion. May 18 is one of the most important events in Korean history, this film should have been a reflection of that, sadly it was not.
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Ben
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August 25, 2008

Fact or Fiction? Customer Review Rated Bad 8 - 8 out of 10
Based on the Gwangju massacre of May 18 (hence the title) 1980 where Soldiers attacked student protesters and civilians alike during this very turbulant time in South Korean history.

The film itself is an odd affair, and as powerful and as touching as it is, and it really is, there is something that stings a little. All the characters on show are (to the best of my knowledge) fictional, so like many films that deal with such topics in a similar way (Titanic and Pearl Harbour for instance) it does leave everything a little up in the air, however, doing a straight dramatisation of this event would have nigh on impossible as even today nobody really knows the actual facts or deathtoll, but this all leads me to wondering if this is a tool for education or entertainment? The impression that I get is that it is a little bit of both, the facts when needed are delivered but an awful lot is left to the human side of the fictional characters, thus raising questions about the validity of the educational side.

Those that are given the job of telling the story do an adequate enough job, Kim Sang Kyung plays it well as self proclaimed guardian Min Woo, Lee Jun Ki and Lee Yo Won also hold up their end of the bargain. Sung-kee Ahn (Hanbando) does a sterling job, even if his character seems a little out of place. On the whole everyone is absolutely fine, there is not one person who you could point the finger at and say, hey, thats why this film isn't the absolute classic it could be. Everyone is on a par, no one rises to steal the show and all is played out to a level of satisfaction. Maybe thats the problem, everyone is ok, but not great, thus it all comes off a bit bland. Though saying this is a little unfair and just highlights one of the problems with dealing in history/fiction, there is only so much you can do before it becomes fantasy, because when you present conjecture as fact you create myth and by doing this you diminish the impact of the events themselves.

On the whole there is nothing wrong with May 18, it says what it needs to say, gives a little drama and comedy inbetween and lets the audience go away and hopefully learn a bit more about these events, and if this film does nothing else than educate people, then for me it makes it a success.
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Best Review
ChoSoo
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May 18, 2008

Good but not great! Customer Review Rated Bad 8 - 8 out of 10
I've heard about this movie from a friend. Then I borrowed it from my church. Mostly I wanted to see it because of Lee Jun Ki but also because I just read about the Gwangju rising.

I can't believe that this actually has happened, how can someone order this upon his own people!?
How can someone just shut down a whole city?
This is an event I think people all over the world should read about in History.

However back to the movie. They have done it well but somehow it becomes a bit too much, it almost feels like watching a movie from Hollywood. There are too many weapons and shootings. Somehow it gets boring, there should be more story instead...
Still you get a good picture of what happend in Gwangju around 30 years ago..

It's a mix with Love, friendship, life, voices, stand up for themselves.
it's also very tragic and don't be afraid of crying a bit since this is based on a true story.

In total: It's a good movie, It's worth buying if you are interested in Korea or not. The actors are great. However from time to time there are a bit too much violance.
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cuddley bear
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May 16, 2008

This customer review refers to May 18 (DVD) (DTS) (Standard Edition) (Korea Version)
best movie of the year Customer Review Rated Bad 9 - 9 out of 10
This film gives us a brief insight into what happens on this tragic day and also the following days. Everyone acted superbly, so moving and extremely touching. The second half of the film is very very sad. Even when you finished the film, you can still shed your tears when you think about it. Yes it is that powerful. It is that good.
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MovieCollector
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February 27, 2008

1 people found the following helpful

Love this movie Customer Review Rated Bad 10 - 10 out of 10
First of all, I love the packaging of this limited edition set. It's beautiful. As for the movie, it's highly recommended movie from Korea. It has been awhile that I enjoyed watching a Korean movie as I buy mostly Korean. And this one is defintely a movie that should be worth your time and money.
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Kham
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February 22, 2008

2 people found the following helpful

wonderful movie Customer Review Rated Bad 10 - 10 out of 10
Wonderful movie with excellent directing. This movie is sad due to it really did happen back in may 18 1980. You will not be disappointed.
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Devin
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February 4, 2008

2 people found the following helpful

Solid it not groundbreaking Customer Review Rated Bad 7 - 7 out of 10
The film works well in its first hour, layering aspects of comedy, drama and action but becomes unhinged in its last hour when the director pours on the melodrama without earning it
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Stacey010884
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February 4, 2008

2 people found the following helpful

A must see movie! Customer Review Rated Bad 10 - 10 out of 10
This is a tremendous film, but has one flaw being that I was very interested in the actual events and was disappointed the find that the documentary (on the third disc) has no subtitles. :o(

The film itself is moving, inspiring and blunt. The honest portrayal of the reality of such events is brutal so I have much respect to the film makers for highlighting the injustice caused back in 1980.

Solid performances, good script, nice direction, great cinematography. The English subtitles are very good indeed, as you'll often find in Korean DVD releases.
Beautifully presented in in a stunning box these three dvds are accompanied by a really nice booklet and eight gorgeous lobby cards.
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MovieCollector
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January 26, 2008

3 people found the following helpful

Excellent movie Customer Review Rated Bad 9 - 9 out of 10
I gave this movie a 9/10, almost a perfect 10 movie. I would recommend this movie to anyone who wants to be entertain by violence, laughter, happiness, and sadness. It's based on a true event, making the movie more interesting. Again, buy this movie before it goes out of print. This limited edition set is so beautiful for any collector out there in asian cinema.
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Gabbie
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January 2, 2008

4 people found the following helpful

Beautiful and Shocking Customer Review Rated Bad 10 - 10 out of 10
I don't believe the English language has the words necessary to describe this movie and how much I love it.
I watched it for the first time a few days ago and I can honestly say that the characters, the story and the skillful direction work together to create one of the best films of this or any generation.
I don't wish to spoil anything for those who may not have seen May 18th yet, but I will say that this movie is truely life changing. It perfectly captures the tone and emotions of the Gwangju tragedy as no other film could.
You'll certainly cry more than you have during any movie ever, but after you finish it, you'll be at a lose for words in a good way.
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