Kingdom (2019)
Original title: Kingudamu R | 2h 14m
In ancient China, a young boy dreams of becoming the greatest general of the Qin Kingdom.
This movie and its sequel are currently among the top 10 movies on Netflix PH, which piqued my curiosity, so I decided to watch them. The lead actor's face looked familiar as he was also the protagonist in the Alice in Borderland series that I enjoyed.
According to my sons, this movie is a live adaptation of a manga series, while I initially thought it was based on the Dynasty Warriors game :p.
I found it quite entertaining to watch, with its impressive fight scenes, themes of bravery, and the pursuit of dreams. The movie also conveyed valuable moral lessons about sibling rivalry and the idea that sometimes those not bound by blood can be closer than actual siblings. It emphasized the importance of fair opportunities for everyone, regardless of their status or background.
I was particularly amazed by the character of Greatest General Ouki, even though he had limited screen time. It was evident that he was a great commander, and his presence left a strong impact on me, just like it did on the main character.
Kingdom II: Far and Away (2022)
R | 2h 14m
It follows a young man who dreams of becoming a general and Ying Zheng, whose goal is unification.
The sequel primarily focuses on the art of war, exploring different generals' strategies and determining which one would be more effective. This aspect is highlighted by the brief but impactful appearance of the Greatest General Ouki in the movie.
The movie also conveys that even when facing defeat, a small spark of effort can ignite greater strength and overcome even a formidable opponent of 10,000.
However, I found myself confused during the final scene when King Esei mentioned that he trusted Ryofui, despite stating in the first movie that he only trusted Shoubunkun. This confusion was further accentuated by Shoubunkun's bewildered behavior in the background. Adding to my confusion, the names on the subtitles did not match the characters' names on IMDB and Wiki.
Nevertheless, I don't intend to delve deeper into the story by searching for more information, as I am eager to watch the third sequel instead.
