Go-ji-jeon 2011

Stephen Holden, New York Times: A movie that reserves its final sickening wallop for a grueling half-hour that leaves you as emotionally battered as the soldiers are forced to return to hell for one last senseless round. Read more

David Fear, Time Out: What you don't get is the sense that this pumped-up combat-fatigue chronicle is pandering-or, for that matter, particularly original. Read more

Noel Murray, AV Club: The action in The Front Line is bloody and tense, but the movie also reduces war to its simplest terms... Read more

Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly: This strong, assured Band of Brothers-style drama from director Jang Hun makes universal points about bonding, misery, loyalty, and the senselessness of war through a portfolio of soldiers. Read more

Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times: A war movie not quite worth engaging. Read more

Stanley Kauffmann, The New Republic: We can be grateful that a Jang Hun comes along now and then to inscribe a human record. Read more

Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News: While its tone and humanity offset the futility of each side's need for one crucial hill, much of this intense, honorable film is too drawn-out. Read more

V.A. Musetto, New York Post: A potent anti-war movie with breathtaking battle sequences. Read more

Ernest Hardy, Village Voice: Quick, unexpected flashes engross the viewer in this Korean War tale even as the script is filled with conventional war movie tropes and types. Read more