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The Admiral: Roaring Currents
명량
2014 126 min South Korea 16+
★7.5
War, Action, Drama, History
Director: Han-min Kim
Trailers
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EN
Description
Admiral Yi Sun-sin faces a tough challenge when he is forced to defend his nation with just 13 battleships against 300 Japanese enemy ships in the Battle of Myeongryang.
Budget:
$9.5M
US Gross:
$2.59M
Worldwide:
$138.34M
Starring
Choi Min-sik
Actor
Ryu Seung-ryong
Actor
Cho Jin-woong
Actor
Awards
Asian Film Academy 2015
— Best Actor
Key opinion
The Admiral: Roaring Currents is a commercially successful, visually spectacular war film that centers on the legendary naval defense by Admiral Yi Sun-sin. While audiences and critics frequently praise the intense, immersive naval battle sequences, the film receives mixed reactions regarding its historical accuracy, character depth, and narrative structure.
| Direction | The climactic naval battle sequences are masterfully staged, delivering high-stakes spectacle and visceral tension. | |
| Production | The production design, specifically the depiction of traditional ships and period-accurate costumes, provides a compelling visual identity. | |
| Acting | Choi Min-sik's portrayal of Admiral Yi Sun-sin is a polarizing element, ranging from a powerful, stoic embodiment of duty to a character critics found underdeveloped or prone to excessive melodrama. | |
| Pacing | The film's pacing is uneven, with a slow-moving, dialogue-heavy first half that stands in sharp contrast to the momentum-filled, action-packed conclusion. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay is often criticized for its departure from historical facts and its reliance on one-dimensional characterization and occasionally incoherent or anachronistic dialogue. |