The film starts with an intriguing idea: what if Japan had allied with the United States against Germany and won World War II, maintaining for itself the Greater East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere and keeping all of Korea as a Japanese province? The ethnic Korean hero of the film has the opportunity to "set things right," a thing that will result in much suffering for Korea during both World War II and the Korean War. A great film could have been made from these ideas, but this effort is less than a masterpiece. It is a competently made, adequately acted thriller which could have been much more.

Considering the story premise sounds promising and the cast is fantastic this film is a complete bore.

The special effects and sets are well made. They only add to the film's environment. As the mystery unfolds, Sakamoto's relentless pursuit of the truth while trying to dodge his Korean heritage and his father's past is hsown at a good pace. Unfortunately, some other "facts" in the film are not made to known to viewers (i.e.: how the "Lunar Soul" works, is it only one way?).

The gunplay action is better than most Hollywood productions, if not all. Soem very good work by the Korean actors didn't hurt, either.

Overall, a very enjoyable film and a good addition to any...collection.

The special effects are amazing and the gun battles better than most of Hollywood's stuff, especially in the use of sound.

Of course most American audiences won't know the importance of man who's assassination is prevented (Ito Hirobumi), but the subtitled chronology that follows should be sufficient. All in all, I really enjoyed this one.