CompleteMartialArts.com - J.S.A. - Joint Security Area
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List Price: $24.99
Our Price: $22.49
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Manufacturer: Palm Pictures / Umvd
Starring: Song Kang-ho, Lee Byung-hun, Lee Yeong-ae, Shin Ha-kyun, Kim Tae-woo
Directed By: Park Chan-wook
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audience Rating: Unrated
Binding: DVD
EAN: 0660200310929
Format: AC-3
Label: Palm Pictures / Umvd
Manufacturer: Palm Pictures / Umvd
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Palm Pictures / Umvd
Region Code: 1
Release Date: 2005-07-12
Running Time: 109
Studio: Palm Pictures / Umvd
Theatrical Release Date: 2000
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Editorial Reviews:
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In the DMZ separating North and South Korea, two North Korean soldiers have been killed, supposedly by one South Korean soldier. But the 11 bullets found in the bodies, together with the 5 remaining bullets in the assassin's magazine clip, amount to 16 bullets for a gun that should normally hold 15 bullets. The investigating Swiss/Swedish team from the neutral countries overseeing the DMZ suspects that another, unknown party was involved - all of which points to some sort of cover up. The truth is much simpler and much more tragic.
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: I've been there twice, so I saw it first hand
Comment: I'm a teacher with many friends in South Korea. This past summer, I traveled with 19 other teachers to the DMZ, and witnessed first-hand, the sorrow and hearbreak of the division portrayed in the movie. Hwang Sun-won, short-story author of, "Cranes", wrote the literary compliment to this movie. The Dept. of Asian Studies at Indiana University, chose this movie to show to the teachers on the study tour, after our experience in Korea. It was the #1 movie in Korea for a long time; which reinforces how strong the feelings were of the Korean people toward the message in the movie. I recommend it highly.
Customer Rating: 
Summary: 4 ½ - Stars: Examines a Very Real and Dire Situation of the Korean People...
Comment: J.S.A.: Joint Security Area's success was Park Chan Wook's license to make any film he wanted; this film was Park's (Vengeance Trilogy) breakout hit in South Korea, and even though he wrote the script for "Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance" a few years before, "J.S.A." was made and released first. Most Korean political thrillers I've seen that delved into the tension between North and South Korea such as the popcorn flick "Shiri" and "Typhoon" often somewhat portray the South Korean side the "good guys" while the North Korean side are oftentimes take a darker light as the "bad guys". Park Chan-Wook's masterpiece, however, stays neutral on this situation and the film is truly something that goes straight to the hearts and emotions of its audience.
Synopsis partly derived from back cover:
In the Demilitarized zone that separates North and South Korea, peace is a very fragile thing, as fragile as the wooden bridge that links the two Koreas. When two North Korean soldiers are killed, supposedly by one South Korean soldier, it threatens to ignite a full-scale international conflict. An impartial Intelligence team led by a Korean female officer, Maj. Sophie Jean (Yeong Ae-Lee, Lady Vengeance) is sent to investigate and they quickly find flaws in the official report of the events. It's a race to uncover the truth as tensions rise in one of the most heavily guarded border in the world.
The film is an incredible tale of forbidden friendship that blossomed between border patrol soldiers that explores the consequences when something goes awry. J.S.A. is a powerful and complex film that explores the honesty and the beauty of being close and comfortable towards your countryman. It is truly an engaging film about camaraderie and loyalty. The film also delves into the ideals of the Korean people, from both sides of the border. The film may have some similarities to "Midnight Clear" with a powerful metaphor for the rest of the world. What makes J.S.A. so special is that there are no clear good guys and bad guys, no black and white; the main antagonist (or bad guy) is the overall situation between the two countries itself, and the political ramifications of the incident. The North and South Korean people are the victims of this tension; victimized by an invisible enemy that cannot be seen but felt in their hearts.
When I first saw this film in 2003, I wasn't really expecting much. I thought it was just going to be another political thriller and while it does begin that way; Park definitely sidesteps that impression by putting the central focus of the film on 4 soldiers, their budding friendship and relationship, who are divided by nothing but the border shared by two on each side respectively. The four soldiers are played by Kang Ho-Song (Secret Sunshine), Lee Byung-Hun (A Bittersweet Life), Tae Woo-Kim and Ha-Kyun Shin. It's no surprise that Kang Ho-Song and Lee Byung Hun gives a remarkable performance as well as a younger Yeong Ae-Lee; the solid performances by its cast are the film's greatest strength. Park's style of direction is that the timeline shifts from past to present and vice versa to unveil the supposed incident of the breakout and the secret friendship between the four. This was an ingenious but risky style in storytelling; it may become a bit blurry and inexperienced watchers may find it a bit confusing and maybe boring. However, Park effectively allows us to get a lot deeper into the psyche of the Korean people in my opinion. The actual investigation itself may be the film's weakness; as the proceedings seemed too simple and some "findings" were too convenient.
It's quite sad to witness the tensions of a nation separated by its ideals and very inspiring to see just how the soldiers overcame the hostilities between their sides and encourage each other to "breakdown the walls" of politics. These soldiers represent their people and their hope for reconciliation. This theme hits home to the hearts of its audience. Their slight fear of being discovered is portrayed as they spend the evening playing cards and bonding in their own playful manner. The differences between the two sides are also expressed in the form of a simple "cookie" or chocolate bars.
J.S.A. is an actual metaphor for the rest of the world. It is quite sad for a country to be divided by an imaginary line. It effectively expresses the idea that social and political differences, color and blood, race and beliefs should not be allowed to become the bane of brotherhood and friendship. These invisible lines are things that should be forgotten and disposed of much like the soldiers in this film who reached out and became friends. Despite the film's faults that some scenes "borders" almost to the point of becoming too melodramatic, the film is quite effective with its cinematography, story and theme, that the great performances reaches out to inspire us with its humanity and optimism. It's very hopeful and powerful message is its true human splendor.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! [4 ½ - stars]
Customer Rating:
Summary: To sum it up: Gay, Boring, Old
Comment: It feels like this movie was shot in the 60's and is a closer story about 2 south korean dudes walking over to kommi' north side to make friends with 2 other dudes. Even though it's not intended to be a love story - all 4 men will get caught with their pants down.
I got so bored in the middle of the movie that I honestly considered just stopping it and watching something else; in hindsight that would have been a very good choice as nothing spectacular happened at all.
Only redeeming quality for this movie is that it is Korean - 1 step above some stupid Hollywood crap (like Little man or Invisible).
Customer Rating:
Summary: Reveals little of what was to come.
Comment: JSA: Joint Security Area (Chan-wook Park, 2000)
Chan-wook Park and Yeong-Ae Lee, who teamed up for the memorable Lady Vengeance a couple of years ago, first got together in 2000 for JSA, a conventional, if beautifully-shot, murder mystery.
The story: a South Korean soldier, Lee So-hyeok (Hero's Byung-Hyun Lee), stumbles across the border between North and South Korea, leaving the bodies of two dead North Korean soldiers, with another gravely wounded. The NNSC, who controls the Joint Security Area set up between the two nations, calls in Swiss investigator Sophie Jean (Yeong-Ae Lee) to figure out what actually happened, since no one's stories add up. As Jean gets closer to the truth, things get more and more wildly improbable, and those close to the case start using more extreme measures to prevent her getting at the truth.
JSA is not, unlike Park's more recent efforts, a great film. There are even some who have posited, despite the film's numerous awards, that it's not even a good film. I certainly wouldn't go that far, though there are a few times when the pacing of the film (which can be described sporadically as glacial) tried my patience. The acting is often competent at best, which doesn't help when the pace is reduced to just plodding along. What redeems the movie, to some extent at least, is that it's quite nice to look at. While you're waiting for the plot to start up again or for some decent acting to come along, you can always look at the scenery. ** ½
Customer Rating:
Summary: J.S.A. - Joint Security Area
Comment: One of the best from Korea. It shows the real life approach to the situation at the DMZ.
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