Starring Jang Dong-Gun
Written By: Kim Ki-Duk
Directed By: Kim Ki-Duk
Studio: Tartan Video
Buy on Amazon.com

The “Coast Guard” DVD begins with an optional director’s introduction, where the director explains that he’s pleased that this Korean production is available in the US. He then explains his purpose with the film, to show how forced military service and endless paranoia is bad for the young men involved. It’s a nice sentiment, to be sure, but the execution is so overblown that I’d like to find everyone involved in the production and poke them in their stomachs until they laugh like the Pillsbury Doughboy.

And what do I mean when I say overblown execution? Well, it takes place in South Korea, a country ever on guard against its northern neighbor. Korea is a peninsula, so their Coast Guard must always be vigilant on all sides against the possibility of spies floating on in and penetrating their sanctuary. The coast is a forbidden shoot-first-ask-questions-later area after nightfall, and one day, an overly enthusiastic member of the Guard named Kang guns down a drunk guy who sneaked in to bang his girlfriend Mi-yeong.

The first half of the movie is pretty decent. The performances are all swell, especially Kang and Mi-yeong as they both start having severe mental issues. However, the “overblown” part comes into play when pretty much everyone else randomly goes completely insane, too. The crazy girl undergoes even more horrible punishment, and meanwhile, all the Guard guys get into a lot of slap-fights with each other before a lot of obnoxious wavy-cam “insanity” shots and a crazy shooting spree or two.

It’s a message movie, but one with all the subtlety of a brick being smashed upside the head.

I suppose it’s meant to be a thought-provoking film, and it did leave me with many questions, such as: is there not a single psychiatrist in all of South Korea? Was there any reason that none of these lunatics was ever offered any help whatsoever other than plot inconvenience? Why did nobody do anything about the discharged nutcase soldier who kept showing up and causing incredible amounts of trouble? And just what the hell was up with the girl taking dead fish out for walks?

Well, the back of the DVD case assures us, via critic quote, that the movie is “EMOTIONALLY INTENSE!” but I can’t help but wonder if unintentional hilarity can actually be considered intense. However, you’ll probably dig this movie if you aren’t a fan of subtlety. Or if you aren’t bothered by guys gaining super-soldier powers and abilities after going insane.

Features:
Director Interview
Director Commentary
Director’s Introduction
Music Video
Photo Gallery

Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1 (Korean)

Video:
1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen

Subtitles:
English, Spanish

Favorite Scenes: The constant inexplicable slap-fights and shin-kicking
Rating: R
Running Time: 94 minutes
Extras Rating:
Overall Rating: