by Joseph Perry and Mike Imboden
In our “The Good, the Bad, and the Verdict” film reviews, Joseph and Mike give their thoughts on a slice of cinema. For this installment, it’s the North Korean rarity Pulgarasi which is part of our 3rd annual “Kaijuly” look at some giant monster films (of which we both love thanks to seeing them in our childhood of the 60s and 70s).
Synopsis
In feudal Korea, a group of starving villagers grow weary of the orders handed down to them by their controlling king and set out to use a deadly monster under their control to push his armies back.
The Good
Joseph: Pulgasari looks impressive for its time and circumstances, especially scenes involving the army and the locals banded together to fight those soldiers. One of the more interesting plot developments for me is, to use professional wrestling parlance, the monster’s heel turn after defeating the king’s army, when Pulgasari keeps devouring metal even though it will mean the eventual demise of the villagers he previously protected.
Mike: There are a number of fascinating aspects to Pulgasari, first and foremost is its breathtaking visual spectacle, especially considering the limitations under which it was most likely made. Reminiscent of vintage Toho productions, the impressive suitmation and miniatures bring the titular monster, Pulgasari, to life. Even though the action scenes in the movie are a little repetitive, they are surprisingly well-made for a North Korean production, and the monster's conflicts with the feudal army are truly entertaining.
The Bad
Joseph: Pulgasari’s simpler plot was surely originally meant for adults, but it hasn’t stood the test of time in that department, and now feels more like a children’s film in the vein of the more “friend to all children” era of Gamera movies, though the grown-ups certainly outnumber the young ones on screen here. The forced perspective to make Pulgasari look either tiny or gigantic doesn’t always work well, though I’ll take a person in a monster suit over a CGI creature every time.
Mike: Despite its aesthetic appeal, Pulgasari has a few problems. Despite having an intriguing premise, the story frequently comes across as simplistic and undeveloped. The majority of human characters are archetypes rather than fully realized people, and character development is mainly lacking. Because of this, the viewer may find it hard to empathize with their hardships. The story is a bit erratic due to the poor pacing, which alternates between slow exposition and sudden bursts of monster action. More significantly, the film's overt political allegory diminishes its artistic value, even though it may have been inevitable given its circumstances. The film's credibility is further undermined by the North Korean cast's overly sincere acting, which frequently borders on melodramatic territory.
The Verdict
Joseph: Aficionados of giant-monster movies will want to give Pulgasari a view, both for its place in cinema history and because it is overall a fun watch. It’s a creature feature that the whole family can watch together, and has enough action to help a new generation of monster kids appreciate the subgenre and also feel the charm of old-school practical effects.
Mike: Despite its historical significance and uniqueness, Pulgasari is ultimately a mixed bag. Its straightforward plot, undeveloped characters, and overt political messaging seriously undermine its stunning (for the time) visual effects and unique premise. Although it has some fun monster action for a kaiju movie, its narrative flaws prevent it from being among the best in the genre. Despite not being a masterpiece (an understatement), Pulgasari is an intriguing bit of daikaiju history that should appeal to fans of the genre.
Pulgarasi
Directed By: Shin Sang-ok
Written By: Se Ryun Kim
Starring: Son Hui Chang, Ham Gi Sop, Jong-uk Ri
Run Time: 1h 35m
Rating: NR
Release Date: 1985 (North Korea)
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