X
- 2016
- Not Rated
- CJ Entertainment
- 1 h 51 m
- 2016
- Not Rated
- CJ Entertainment
- 1 h 51 m
Summary South Korean Navy Special Forces, Captain Jang Hak-soo and 7 members of the KLO (Korean Liasion Office) unit disguise themselves as a North Korean inspection unit and infiltrate the North Korean army command center in Incheon. Their mission directives from Gen. MacArthur (Liam Neeson) are: 1. Recon enemy forces in Incheon and secure the...
Directed By: John H. Lee
Written By: Man-Hee Lee, Sean Dulake, John H. Lee
- 2016
- Not Rated
- CJ Entertainment
- 1 h 51 m
- 2016
- Not Rated
- CJ Entertainment
- 1 h 51 m
Operation Chromite
50
4.9
Summary South Korean Navy Special Forces, Captain Jang Hak-soo and 7 members of the KLO (Korean Liasion Office) unit disguise themselves as a North Korean inspection unit and infiltrate the North Korean army command center in Incheon. Their mission directives from Gen. MacArthur (Liam Neeson) are: 1. Recon enemy forces in Incheon and secure the...
Directed By: John H. Lee
Written By: Man-Hee Lee, Sean Dulake, John H. Lee
Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 8 Critic Reviews
50
25% Positive
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
63% Mixed
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
13% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 8 Critic Reviews
50
25% Positive
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
63% Mixed
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
13% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
The filmmakers fall back on melodrama fairly often.... Yet there’s freshness in the storytelling.
Director John H. Lee keeps the action taut and often deeply felt when it comes to sacrifices and losses. But the script is often bogged down by deifying MacArthur.
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 16 User Ratings
4.9
31% Positive
5 Ratings
5 Ratings
44% Mixed
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
25% Negative
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 16 User Ratings
4.9
31% Positive
5 Ratings
5 Ratings
44% Mixed
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
25% Negative
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
But it was all about the sub-operation 'X-Ray'.
Bringing the stars from other film industry is not we never heard of. It is mainly done for the international appeal. So now it was Liam Neeson's turn to foray into a Korean film. He did not go a big transform. He just played an American character and spoke American English. But he did not get the opportunity to exploit well, the role he played was a very important one though. Even I was curious about this film for his presence than the director known for some great hits. The film did fairly enough to my anticipation, but I slightly disappointed with the overall.
This is another Korean war theme, that mean based on the real. I think only the events were inspired by, not all the details. Because seems they were improvised for the cinematic version like sentimentalising it. That's the opposite to X-factor in this film, according to me. I started to watch Korean films because of strong emotional appeal, but after all these years watching lots of films, I think that sub-theme was overused. This is a war film and casualties are expected. Not from the viewers' perspective, but the film characters'. So knowing the consequences, the film exploited that too much.
I am sure that will patriotically appeal to the domestic (native) audience. For the rest of the world, it was a bit too much to take. This film is about a secret mission taken by the South Korean intelligence service after most of its territories were captured by the North in the year 1950. The general Douglas MacArthur of the US armed force with the UN coalition is the architect behind to hit the enemy at the right place. Where his team on an operation known as 'X-Ray' has to clear the way for the bigger one called 'Operation Chromite'.
❝Nobody grows old by merely living a number of years. People grow old only by deserting their ideals.❞
The team who left behind their family and friends, has to be ready to sacrifice for their nation. Their notion is to steal the military strategies of the North, but it goes beyond that after a series of twist and turns. Theirs brave attempt is what this film talk about. But there is a little chance for a sequel, particularly for what this title actually meant. I mean, the film was all about the operation known as 'X-Ray' which is a sub-operation of 'Operation Chromite'. But the way the film ended gives a hint that there's no more story left to tell us.
I am familiar with most of the cast and they all were good. It was worth making a film of the real event, but as I know not the best work of the director. Especially the screenplay looked unrealistic in a few parts which is mostly the confrontations between two armed forces. Though in such films it is acceptable which is done for goosebumps and to highlight the heroism with a greater struggle. If you are watching it for Liam Neeson, then you will be let down. He was magnificent in his limited appearance. For me, he looked like a bit Popeye with a pipe and at sea. A couple great quotes from him, but his absence on the field of action would hurt his fans.
Despite the disappointment, the film is watchable. Reasonable runtime and pace with the fine visual effects, it is worth a try. You will learn the history and apart from that there's nothing special. Whatever happens in earlier parts, the last 30-40 minutes makes the most of the film if you love war and actions. But still I'll pass, not going to recommend it to you, especially if you have watched lots of war films and spy missions. The final thing I wanted to say is don't believe those sites rated it very poorly. It stands between average and good, so the final call should be yours in such situation, but be prepared for whatever outcome you will receive.
6½/10
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Minus the sub par performance of Liam Neeson as General MacArthur, and having to adjust to watching subtitles the movie itself based on a true story is noteworthy. The movie flows well and has allot of action sequences and helps you to like the heroes and hate the ruthless enemy. It tells the tale of south Korean spies who helped U.N. Forces invade their country helping to liberate it from North Korea. The ending is sad as well like private Ryan. I was pleasantly surprised with this sleeper movie.
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The true story of a revered general instigating one of the most daring ploys in military history might seem like the perfect vehicle for Liam Neeson to return to more serious fare, but even he cannot breathe life into some truly terrible dialogue. It’s left to the Korean actors to save the day.
The wooden dialogue gives Liam Neeson little to do beyond bite on his corncob pipe and berate subordinates who dare question him. Still, in perhaps the only instance when this is a compliment, he’s no Olivier.
The result is like something Michael Bay might produce at his least self-indulgent.
Entertaining in its own way, though probably not in the way intended.
Director John H. Lee isn’t big on John Le Carré-style intrigue and introspection. (The dialogue comes in only two flavors: blustering and sentimental.) He’s better at the shootouts and chase scenes, which are loud, lively and well-choreographed, if sometimes outlandish.
Operation Chromite is a foreign film (thankfully with English subtitles) about Operation Chromite in the back drop of the Korean War. This film touts itself as a patriotic movie in the likes of Olympus has Fallen or other such war or action movies. However, its missing tons of substance.
The characters are one-note heroes or one-note villains, and while certain things that happen in the film are interesting, the people aren't. They don't seem human or complex at all; rather, they appear as card-board cutouts.
I honestly never heard of the operation prior to seeing this film and it is nice to see action filmed correctly as is here, but the film would have been best either with a bigger budget and a better script and characters, or as a documentary rather than a bland, jingoistic action film.
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Production Company
Taewon Entertainment
Release Date Aug 12, 2016
Duration 1 h 51 m
Rating Not Rated
Tagline The odds were 5000 to 1. One was all they needed.
Awards
Grand Bell Awards, South Korea
• 2 Wins & 7 Nominations
