Rating: 
Summary: More subtle approach to the conflict at hand
Review: Joint Security Area drew many comparisons with Shiri, as it dealt with the same conflict and had some of the actors in both films. Joint Security Area (often referred as JSA by Korean audience) is not an action film per se, as Shiri was, and the story takes place in the Demilitarized Zone, an area that serves as a buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea, and describes the relationship between a South Korean soldier who befriends North Korean soldiers. Interestingly, JSA drew more audience than Shiri.
JSA is not an action film as Shiri was, but rather focused its theme to the unreal place, which is the Demilitarized Zone, or DMZ. DMZ is a neutral piece of land between the Koreas, where tensions are high due to possible military engagment by North Korea. If a war was to take place again, it would start from DMZ. Yet somehow a South Korean soldier finds friendship with couple of North Korean soldiers, and despite the initial hostility, they find common culural ties within themselves and grow close to each other.
I liked JSA far better than Shiri, as it dealt with characters who were more believable and apporachable as compared to Shiri. The atmosphere of the DMZ is captured quite nicely also. It is simply a better film. JSA is certainly a milestone in Korean cinema, albeit in a different way Shiri was.
Rating:
Summary: More subtle approach to the conflict at hand
Review: Joint Security Area drew many comparisons with Shiri, as it dealt with the same conflict and had some of the actors in both films. Joint Security Area (often referred as JSA by Korean audience) is not an action film per se, as Shiri was, and the story takes place in the Demilitarized Zone, an area that serves as a buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea, and describes the relationship between a South Korean soldier who befriends North Korean soldiers. Interestingly, JSA drew more audience than Shiri.
JSA is not an action film as Shiri was, but rather focused its theme to the unreal place, which is the Demilitarized Zone, or DMZ. DMZ is a neutral piece of land between the Koreas, where tensions are high due to possible military engagment by North Korea. If a war was to take place again, it would start from DMZ. Yet somehow a South Korean soldier finds friendship with couple of North Korean soldiers, and despite the initial hostility, they find common culural ties within themselves and grow close to each other.
I liked JSA far better than Shiri, as it dealt with characters who were more believable and apporachable as compared to Shiri. The atmosphere of the DMZ is captured quite nicely also. It is simply a better film. JSA is certainly a milestone in Korean cinema, albeit in a different way Shiri was.
Rating:
Summary: ....
Review: Joint Security Area is a very good movie that, in fairly direct and simple ways, offers criticisms of conflict and ambition in both local (Korean) and golbal affairs. It also examines human relationships and behaviour under the pressure of these ultimately ridiculous affairs. In contrast to our (meaning Hollywood's) typical (patriotic BS, unintelligent BS, hammy acting BS) military thriller, JSA is poignant, intelligent, and, for the most part, to the point, if not entirely thrilling (The initial set-up of the film is a bit confusing, especially having to read the subtitles, unable to associate faces with names, but this is soon cleared up). JSA is good looking (if generic), with a generally poorly chosen soundtrack, but very solidly produced. For the most part, the acting is well done and human (at least so far as I can tell in any foreign language pic), with the primary exception being some overly deliberate english whenever the three Swiss characters (Why would the Swiss be speaking English) are speaking amongst themselves (one of whom is always carrying around a gigantic pipe that never seems lit, making oddly timed gesticulations and constantly moving it in and out of his mouth even during his own lines). Compared to Shiri, another Korean movie that adresses similar issues, I'd say that JSA is a much better film (although Shiri, by no means, was bad), and is definately worth a rental, and even a purchase (at least, if you have no other movies you want to buy and are desperate to spend 30 dollars on a movie you havn't seen). I'm not sure this is one for repeat viewings, and if so, is probably more of the type that you put in the back of your cabinet (rather than sell) and find 3 years later before you rewatch.
Rating:
Summary: ....
Review: Joint Security Area is a very good movie that, in fairly direct and simple ways, offers criticisms of conflict and ambition in both local (Korean) and golbal affairs. It also examines human relationships and behaviour under the pressure of these ultimately ridiculous affairs. In contrast to our (meaning Hollywood's) typical (patriotic BS, unintelligent BS, hammy acting BS) military thriller, JSA is poignant, intelligent, and, for the most part, to the point, if not entirely thrilling (The initial set-up of the film is a bit confusing, especially having to read the subtitles, unable to associate faces with names, but this is soon cleared up). JSA is good looking (if generic), with a generally poorly chosen soundtrack, but very solidly produced. For the most part, the acting is well done and human (at least so far as I can tell in any foreign language pic), with the primary exception being some overly deliberate english whenever the three Swiss characters (Why would the Swiss be speaking English) are speaking amongst themselves (one of whom is always carrying around a gigantic pipe that never seems lit, making oddly timed gesticulations and constantly moving it in and out of his mouth even during his own lines). Compared to Shiri, another Korean movie that adresses similar issues, I'd say that JSA is a much better film (although Shiri, by no means, was bad), and is definately worth a rental, and even a purchase (at least, if you have no other movies you want to buy and are desperate to spend 30 dollars on a movie you havn't seen). I'm not sure this is one for repeat viewings, and if so, is probably more of the type that you put in the back of your cabinet (rather than sell) and find 3 years later before you rewatch.
Rating: 
Summary: An absolutely devastating movie
Review: Joint Security Area starts out in a pretty typical fashion, as an investigator originally from Korea (now living in Sweden) arrives to look into a messy shooting at a border post in North Korea. The opening scenes play like a police procedural, complete with suspects keeping their mouths shut about events, examination of bodies, etc. Then the film goes into a flashback, and it takes on a whole other level. It goes from being a pretty good thriller with an interesting setting to one of the most beautiful and tragic antiwar films one is likely to see. The acting is wonderful across the board, the direction is incredible, and the final shot of the film is a heartbreaker. The best film I've seen from the Korean 'New wave' that's hit in recent years.
Rating:
Summary: BREATH TAKING AND HEART BREAKING
Review: Living in South Korea gives you a chance to get some idea of the heart breaking reality of this divided country. As Americans we have no concept of how it must feel to be in this situation. To see this film is to get a "taste" of the reality. To feel the horrible pain and taste the tears -- friends gained only to be lost to bloodshed!! I cannot even imagine what it must be like to see this film as a Korean. I have many Korean friends here in this beautiful country I now call my home(for the next few years). After seeing this, I feel differently than I did before seeing it. I feel like I have grown as a human after the experience watching JSA has given me. I think everyone living in Korea certainly should see this film. It wouldnt hurt all Americans to see it to understand how a country divided hurts the soul. Excellent film.
Rating:
Summary: Border Confrontations Taken to Another Level...
Review: On the boarder between North and South Korea is an area called the Joint Security Area (JSA). One night there is an exchange of fire across the JSA that interrupts the progress between the nations. There seems to be two versions of the reason why two North Korean soldiers were killed on the North Korean side of the boarder. The South says that North tried to kidnap a South Korean solider, while the North states that a South Korean solider went amok. The neutral countries, Switzerland and Sweden, are in charge of the investigation and clues indicate that there are other motives behind the crime. JSA is provides an excellent cinematic experience, which educates and fills the audience with compassion.
Rating:
Summary: Toe The Line
Review: One incredible tightly-woven story drives this political thriller of friends and enemies along the Joint Security Area (JSA) between North and South Korea. An apparent exchange of hostilities leaves two soldiers of the North Korean Army dead. Another is wounded, and a fourth soldier -- a South Korean soldier -- appears to be the hero ... but is he? As both sides refuse to allow an investigation to prove anything conclusive, a Neutral Nations officer -- a woman -- is brought in to uncover the truth ... but will she? Being perfectly honest, I purchased JSA solely on the basis of the recommendation of AZNFilms.com, and I have to say that I wasn't disappointed in the least. Comparisons to SHIRI are very off-base in that -- politics aside -- SHIRI is a great formula action film from start to finish ... but JSA is a pure political thriller. It is a 'thinking man's action film' where the action is a result of the plot and not because of the character's motivations (with one notable exception I won't give away to spoil the surprise). However, this film's script keeps you guessing and even delivers tremendous surprise up until the very last frame! Again, JSA is not intended for fans of the John Woo mentality (and I'm a huge fan of Woo's work). This is a drama -- which deservedly won many at the Korean Film Awards -- but certainly stands up to most American films easily. In fact, I would have to say that I never saw what all of the excitement was about MYSTIC RIVER -- a rather conventional crime drama -- but there's plenty to get excited about in JSA. I'll be watching this one again this weekend.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best movies ever!
Review: This movie is absolutely fantastic. Buy it and if you don't like it, sell it to a Korean friend. My guess is 98% of Koreans living all over the globe would be willing to buy it off of you. My only criticism would be the Swiss investigator. I personally don't like that actress. I think her performance was crappy and her presence (and poor English) really detracts from this otherwise fabulous movie. I would recast the role and have the movie rereleased and the result would be perhaps one of the best films of all time.
Rating:
Summary: Great Thriller
Review: This offering reminds me so much of "A Few Good Men". The movie started by laying out the groundwork, of soldiers from both North & South Korea died in a conflict. It's up to a neutral party, which is unbiased towards North & South Korea to be involved in the investigation. The investigator was in the form of this beautiful & intelligent officer. She claimed to be in the military and from Switzerland. Yet, her slim physique told me otherwise & at times, it was bleeming difficult to understand her English & one could only imagine how many times she would need to rehearse to read her lines properly. Anyhow, the question about who did it & why were what made this movie so interesting. In the end, the twisting end would definitely caught you by surprise. Along the way, we were given a succinct but concise explanation about the origin of DMZ and the reason why Koreans from 1950's Korean War were scattered throughout the world. Then, the investigator's family background came back to haunt her & she started to question about her own identity and about where her allegiance belonged to. In the end, it doesn't matter because among the craziness of the world, humanity prevails. Still, the notion about family members being segregated from one another for more than half a century by one line due to ideological difference is brought to forefront. Moreover, we are also reminded constantly about the fragile truce between North & South Korea and a slight misunderstanding would undoubtedly start a civil war and would most certainly disturb the peace in the East Asia region. A very well-made movie with tight script & good composition. Highly recommended. What made this movie different from "A Few Good Men" is that it doesn't provide a pedestal for the superstars to show off their acting skills but rather, all actors & actresses are making a cohesive effort to make this movie fluid and effective, which they have done to almost perfection. Keep up the good work.
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