Operation Chromite (2016)

                   It took 35 years for another movie to be made about Inchon.  “Inchon” (1981) starring Sir Laurence Olivier is famous as one of the biggest turkeys of the 1980s.  “Operation Chromite” was the first joint American/South Korean production focusing on the Korean War since “Inchon”.  Continuing a recent trend that has included Bruce Willis, it stars a big American actor who clearly loves money and cares little for reputation.  In this case, Liam Neeson takes the cash and saunters as Douglas MacArthur.  Ironically, Douglas MacArthur turned in better acting performances than the actors who have portrayed him.

 

                   The title refers to the code name for the invasion at Inchon.  MacArthur’s plan was to make a daring landing behind enemy lines to change the momentum of the war.  The port of Inchon was a particularly difficult location for an amphibious landing.  Part of the problem was the tides and the mines.  To recon the harbor and gather intelligence information, a crack squad of eight South Korean soldiers are sent behind enemy lines.  They are led by Capt. Jang Hak-soo (Lee Jong-jae).   Plausibility gets off to a rough start when the men kill eight North Korean soldiers on a train and take their identities.  As per the war movie cliché, the uniforms fit perfectly.  They masquerade as an inspection team, but the local villain Lim Gye-jin (Lee Beom-soo) is suspicious because apparently some North Koreans had brains.  The clock is ticking.  Ticking toward when the crazy ass Korean combat kicks in.  Meanwhile, we intercut to the pompous MacArthur discussing his plan.

 

                   “Operation Chromite” is not among the better Korean war movies.  I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the worst ones have American involvement.  There certainly is a huge gap between a movie like this and movies like “Tae Guk Gi”.  You get the kick-ass combat cinematography Korean war films are noted for, but unfortunately the script and acting do not match the fireworks.  In this case, the plot starts off ridiculous and spirals to bonkers quickly.  There is very little resemblance to the actual invasion.  You will learn nothing historical from it. 

 

                   The acting is wooden, with Neeson leading the way.  It’s an embarrassing performance, but it gets forgotten in the lunacy that surrounds it.  There is little resemblance to reality and the poor CGI does not help.  The naval bombardment is straight out of a video game.  There is no character development other than Jang and Lim.  Jang is an action hero and Lim is a cartoonish villain.  The movie becomes a series of confrontations between the two.  Lim is one tough dude to kill.  It comes down to a tank duel, so try not to drink yourself into a stupor before the big finish. 

 

GRADE  =  D