Woochi the Demon Slayer

I bought this based on a trailer I viewed on another Cine-Asia production I purchased: Detective Dee & The Mystery of the Phantom Flame [Blu-ray]. This movie comes out of Korea, whereas "Dee" is a Hong Kong film (I rated "Dee" at 5 stars). "Woochi" also goes under a couple of alternate titles including Jeon Woo Chi (The Tao Fighter) and Jeon Woo Chi (Taoist Wizard).

Though listed as playable in region B/2 (Europe, Greenland, French territories, Middle East, Africa, Australia and New Zealand) when I bought it, this is another Cine-Asia production that appears to be region free (i.e., I can play it on my US of A cheapo Magnavox blu-ray player). However, just like the Detective Dee film, trying to play most of the extras, such as "deleted scenes," resulted in the same frantic "Not Support!!!" message. This is likely because most of the special features are in the PAL format which my poor console apparently can't handle. Again, the movie itself plays fine.

I play this on a 40 inch HD TV via HDMI hookup, and the quality appears to be as good as blu-ray cuts usually are, but not exceptionally so. This version (Cine-Asia blu-ray) is in Korean audio with English subtitles. It's a bit long at 136 minutes, but since I don't see a lot of Korean films, the costumes and settings are interesting enough so that when things are a bit slow I just enjoy looking at the differences. A good editor could probably tighten this up a bit, but you might lose some of the dense plot and make it even more confusing. In any case, it's the action and special effects sequences that make this a fun film to watch. Without giving much away, I particularly liked the creative use of paper as a magical element.

The modern day sequences in the movie reminded me, in a good way, quite a bit of Big Trouble in Little China. You have a humorously portrayed protagonist fighting ancient supernatural creatures in the streets of a modern city. I think they're both films in the same spirit of rollicking good fun not requiring a lot of intellectual analysis to enjoy. This movie goes on our Saturday night get-together with friends for watching a movie while eating pizza.

Oh. The giant goblin ninja bunny really rocks. Bunnies! If there were more, or longer, scenes with the giant goblin ninja bunny, I might have bumped this up to five stars even with all of the other issues.

Long ago there were demons locked in the heavens guarded by a person playing a magic flute. The demons escaped and came to earth in human form, the flute likewise came to earth. The demons are in human form looking for the flute. Meanwhile there are two rival Tao groups after the flute wanting to contain the demons.

The story becomes complex. One "self taught" Tao Master in Jeon Woo-chi (Dong-won Kang) who likes to play tricks and seeks fame against the basic Tao code. There is also a woman who doesn't like needle work, and a man who acts as Woo-Chi's horse, but is really a dog. There are three Shinsuns who work for the opposing Tao master. Oh yeah, there is a bronze sword too.

The film contains magic and illusion. It freely mixes the two. It takes place 500 years in the past and the present. It has magician battles, gravity defying moves, CG monster effects, and some humor. The modern Woo-Chi assumes the clothes of the "King of Pop."

The English translation sounded like a bad spaghetti western. The deleted scenes are in Korean with subtitles available. Like many eastern films, it is easy to lose yourself in the characters and story so you must pay attention. This film isn't for everyone.

Parental Guide: No f-bombs, sex, or nudity. soft 4 stars

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This was a great sorcery martial art film. It had some great fight scenes and cool sorcery and some funny humor. Woochi is worth the price.

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First, I bought in BR just because it was 6 USD.

Second, I already had a very strong concept and solid of the art and quality of Korean cinema.

Third, I was expecting something funny and amusing.

The story and plot are more of the same (the battle of the Good versus the Evil) but with different twists and out of clichés characters.

Graphics are cool. Not that state-of-the-art of Hollywood limitless budgets but pretty decent to get excited.

Characters are just magnificent.

The fact the story moves from ancient times to modern back and forth instinctively is a very nice point (like in Highlander).

I highly recommend it.

Want Woochi the Demon Slayer Discount?

But good Japanese kung fu movie better in three d, mostly for anime lovers though if you like anime and watch this movie you'll know what I mean.

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