Kingdom 2: Far and Away
Plot
In the midst of war-torn China, a young warrior named Mo Yeon (played by Kim Tae-woo) embarks on an epic journey to fulfill his lifelong dream of becoming a general. As he battles against formidable foes and navigates treacherous landscapes, Mo Yeon crosses paths with Ying Zheng, a cunning and ambitious leader who shares his vision for unification. As the two warriors forge an unlikely alliance, they are propelled into a world of intrigue, politics, and battle-hardened strategy. With Ying Zheng's military prowess and Mo Yeon's unwavering dedication, their bond grows stronger as they face off against treacherous foes and navigate the complex web of alliances and rivalries that threaten to tear China apart. As the stakes escalate, Mo Yeon and Ying Zheng must confront their own demons and make difficult choices that will shape the course of Chinese history. Along the way, they encounter a diverse cast of characters, each with their own motivations and secrets, including cunning warlords, beautiful concubines, and wise sages who offer guidance and counsel. Throughout his journey, Mo Yeon grapples with the moral ambiguities of war, confronting the harsh realities of sacrifice, loyalty, and honor. Meanwhile, Ying Zheng's ruthless determination to achieve unification drives him to make decisions that will have far-reaching consequences for the future of China. As the battle between rival kingdoms intensifies, Mo Yeon and Ying Zheng find themselves at the forefront of a conflict that will determine the fate of an empire. With its sweeping landscapes, pulse-pounding action sequences, and nuanced characters, Kingdom 2: Far and Away is a thrilling adventure that explores the complexities of war, loyalty, and leadership in ancient China.
Reviews
Gracie
How did they manage to successfully capture the atmosphere of small-scale, local conflicts?
Leo
★★☆ Compared to the first film, Kingdom 2: Far and Away shifts its focus to the battlefield, and it does successfully deliver some grand and epic scenes. The war serves as a catalyst for Shin's character development, though some aspects still feel a little too childish or frivolous. The action choreography is a marked improvement over the previous installment, but the dramatic scenes still suffer from a sense of dragging, making it hard to stay fully engaged at times.
Leo
Well... the palace scenes feel like child's play. The focus is clearly on the battlefield, but they force嬴政 into it, cobbling together a storyline for him. The war scenes are decent and have some good momentum. But the constant close-ups of the male lead's face at crucial moments are really unnecessary. Especially during the final duel between the two generals, the male lead is just an observer and doesn't drive the plot, yet they keep cutting to his face... resulting in an idle bystander making increasingly contorted expressions. It would really be better without the close-ups. And why do the armies just stand and watch when the two generals duel? The original work explains it, but the movie doesn't, making it a bit absurd. As for the plot...
Juliet
The casting for Kyoukai is spot-on, and the action sequences featuring Shin and Kyoukai are top-tier in the Japanese film industry. The production team's dedication is evident in their commitment to filming in China and investing heavily in CG, despite the severe pandemic. Masquerading and shrugging off past criticisms and doubts, Kento Yamazaki quietly lets his performance speak for itself, making him even cooler than Shin.
Joanna
"Unification is a grand goal, but it sure can make for some chaotic drama."
