It is Holy Saturday as I write this, a few hours after I watched the South Korean blockbuster Along With The Gods. I have never thought there will be an excellent movie for Holy Week other than The Passion of the Christ but here it is, a film with a different take on religion and our morality.
(Photo credit: Lotte Entertainment via allkpop)
♦ What is Along With The Gods? ♦
Along With The Gods is a South Korean web toon series that ran from 2010 to 2012 and was created by Joo Ho-min. It has been adapted into a two part movie, the first one being the topic of this blog - Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds - distributed by Lotte Entertainment. The second one is said to be released by Summer 2018. Well it's summer in the Philippines already but those who have four seasons will know that it means it will be shown in their summer season or around August.
(Photo credit: Joo Ho-min via KPopHerald)
I have never read the web comics. I tried but it's in Korean so I can't understand it. The web series is funnier and has another character not seen in the movie according to some Koreans who watched it. The movie is amazing though. It's actually the 2nd box office Korean movie hit in the entire Korean film history.
This 140minutes fantasy adventure film was released in December 2017 but was shown here in the Philippines back in January of this year. Sadly I never got to watch it in the big screen since I was busy resting and working at home.
I thought the trailer was cool but watching the movie itself even on a computer is a whole different story altogether, how much more if I saw it in a movie house? Look how the trailer is a fantastic story in itself. This is how movie trailers should be done! See below.
(Video credit: Movieclips Film Festivals & Indie Films via YouTube)
Apart from having a fantasy story, it also is best at influencing ourselves to change for the better. Even the cast members, and I believe, everyone involved in making the movie has been profoundly affected in a good way by this movie. Let me give you a spoiler free summary of it.
♦ Summary ♦
A brave and good firefighter has just died from saving a little girl from a burning building. She is not the last one he saved but now he is dead. Immediately he meets two of his grim reapers, a man and a girl. A third one is elsewhere at the start of the story.
(Photo credit: Lotte Entertainment via Variety)
The three able grim reapers escort and defend our protagonist, the almost perfect soul of Kim Ja-hong the firefighter (whom they call a paragon) , into the after life. In order for him to be reincarnated, he must pass all the seven gates of hell in flying colors within 49 days.
(Screen cap image: Lotte Entertainment (International) via YouTube)
As quoted from the reelrundown.com's film review, here's the seven hells that Mr. Kim and any soul has to go through to be reincarnated:
...the volcano of the damned in murder hell, the river of indolence in indolence hell, the blade forest of deceit hell, the frosty glaciers of injustice hell, the heavenly passage that meanders through betrayal hell, the vacuum sink hole of violent hell, and the internal desert of filial impiety hell.
And that's it. What happens as he goes through each gate is for you to find out. :) 
(Photo credit via Pixabay)
♦ Review ♦
Thanks to Mhaiiiself's movie review, I remembered to watch this movie. Although, I did not read her blog initially in it's entirety to avoid any spoilers, I did read it afterwards after crying my eyes out and finally appreciated it well. This blog post is my unspoiled take on the movie.
The main thing you need to know is, if you like fantasy shows, are interested in metaphysics and esoterics and are looking to improve your spiritual life then this can be an amazing movie for you as it may also be life changing.
If you won't be able to relate to the main character's story and are nothing of the above-mentioned I described then perhaps you may only enjoy some parts of it - the fight scenes or the visuals maybe. Also, if you are not attached to your family members at all or have not experienced any hardships with them then you may not understand the story and find it so-so and not appreciate this fine gem of a movie.
(Photo credit via atomtickets)
Along With The Gods: The Two Worlds ' value lies in the way it can invoke our own memories and sins and repent on it. We go together with the protagonist on a journey of self reflection starting from his lightest sins to the gravest one of all. It is the perfect Holy Week movie for individuals or families to help with self-realization and/or your own personal retreat.
It's last scenes though may hit you hard as it did me. I wasn't expecting to cry buckets of tears just by watching this. Good thing I was home alone when I watched it because I could cry my heart out in despair at the end of it and call out to God for guidance and forgiveness. It's been a while since I prayed so sincerely to God. Indeed I feel like I have repented from all of my sins after all those heartfelt and body racking sobs I haven't done in a long time.
(Photo credit via Pixabay)
♠ Acting ♠
The actors are superb and have done a great job. They can make you feel it is real, that they are family, that they are friends, that these are real people. The actors wouldn't be great if they haven't made you feel any emotion at all. These characters are simple yet complex and the casting is perfect.
♠ Visuals ♠
If you want to compare it to Hollywood movie computer graphic imagery, this movie does not fall behind. They have good enough visuals that will make you disregard the fakery of it all. After all, it is a movie, you can't expect everything to be as real as possible.
The fight scenes with the monsters and the chase sequences are enjoyable to watch. Costume design is also commendable.
♠ Story ♠
The storytelling is amazing in the way it slowly unveiled the situations in the life of Mr. Kim. Each gate takes you closer to know what kind of life he lived and family he had.
(Photo credit via Pixabay)
The main storyline does not have any pity parties at all. No you will not cry because of any pity party. You will cry because it will hit you like a bull's eye if you can relate to their situation. The English subtitles are all you need to understand what his life is all about.
It is always best to know both sides of a story right? This movie is able to show the sides of each story from all the involved characters near the ending. The plot twist might make you cry too as I and maybe millions of people who watched it have done.
Interested to know more on how the movie came to the big screen and what the actors can say about making it? Watch this interview video below.
(Video credit: K4A via YouTube)
♠ Overall Rating ♠
(Photo credit via Pixabay)
Because this movie is more of an emotional, spiritual and visual treat, for me it comes up top as the best movie to watch during the Holy Week or any time you feel the need to self reflect. I did not know the story can help in terms of spiritual growth or realigning yourself to the goodness in your soul but it does and it can if you let it.
It can be a good family bonding movie too if you're looking for one. It can also be good to watch on your own. However way you watch it, I hope it will help change your life for the better.
(Photo credit via Pixabay)
If you are looking for an adventurous, heartfelt and fantastic foreign film then this is it. From a rate of 1 to 10, 10 being the highest, I'd like to give it an 11 even with it's flaws.
Remember, I watched the movie with no expectations whatsoever aside from having seen the enjoyable trailer. If you'd like to see what it has to offer based on my words and the videos then prepare your tissues, have fun and enjoy the show!
To find the best online deals and watch this movie, click here to avail of eBay deals.
For my other movie review and philosophy related blogs, click below:
- The Invention of Lying and Gangs of New York: Deception In Movies + Some Commentary on the Topic
- Fasting: Is It Really Good For You?
- Why “The Passion of The Christ” Is Controversial
- Are You Aware That The Golden Rule Sucks?
- Lent is a Season of Reflection
- The Lying Problem
- Complaints: The Whys and How to Stop It
- Bad Moms is Awesome
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Written for Bitlanders by ArtGirl. All rights reserved
© Art x Stephanie Rue
