Really Surprised!

I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

Mostly, the movie is committed to the value of a good time.

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

Impacting and moving, this film creates a feeling like you're right next to the main character Hyeon-su and you need him to do well you want him to be your friend and to have him around. He makes this movie amazing, and might be my new favourite protagonist in any movie. he gets my rating to a instant 8 before considering the movie itself, giving it that extra boost.The movie makes this film identifiable as everyone has had that in between time when they weren't settled somewhere yet, a new home, school, moving up to high school most people know what its like to have to find a click or people you can be yourself with and that's the journey this film starts with. The films then becomes more coming of age with love and the trials of youth affecting how Hyeon-su behaves and acts towards people. This film has relations to Bruce Lee with the main characters bonding through enjoyment of his movies however it doesn't rely on it or abuse it, its just there, and I like that, without the Bruce Lee element it stands on its own as a solid movie, but its a nice addition to tie the movie up.Now the fighting, Jesus this film has some good fights, nothing technical like jet Li or any of the bigs, but realistic in ways and more like school yard scrapping with some insane impact and amazing use of feeling and emotion before and during each fight, the final fight has you seriously glued to the screen with your mouth open hungry for more and more until boom, you want to un see it to experience it again. Also, nunchaku, do I need to say anything else.Ha Yoo knows how to write, A Dirty Carnival, Gangnam Blues, this guy knows drama and has you pulled along by your heart strings and adrenaline pumps throughout the whole thing. I don't know if people will even read this review but if it makes even one person watch the film then I'm content, because I do think its a really good film, definitely in my top ten.

Although I don't have insider information, but you project or guesstimate why there are so many good (and to that end - also bad) S.Korean movies. Freedom to do the final cut is probably one factor. Young directors probably another. Culture synthesis or catharsis probably a third factor.This Once Upon a time in Highschool is as typically good as it gets. It is nostalgic, it is careful, it is sentimental, it is deliberate, it is technically well done. All seems cliché even. But it works. It works as a collective memory because it gets to the heart of the matter, the essentials, the universal experiences of high school. No, not the light hearted, self deprecating, sarcastic rear-view mirror look. But I think the key to this movies is the mixing of a bit more risky, personal - with some fantastical elements.You see, with all the bottled up emotions you see (and feel along with the main character) during the first 90% of the movie, you need an out. And this fantastical element is the ending fight scene, mostly one shot - continuous, exhausting, satisfying - to relief all the tension that was built up. This fulfil some unfinished business - in our minds, in our past experiences, that lifts us the audience. Then the movie stayed true to its times - with the apology ending to ground you back to reality. What a move that is.I think this movies works extremely well psychologically due to the built-up all the way to the final fight scene on the roof. That is, the story understands that most of us has regrets. That we were smaller then we looked inside. Was afraid most of the times, had confidence issues, were betrayed at least once. And did not act out on others. But most of us (at least for the Asians anyhow), didn't fight back.

First i must say this movie is a very good movie for many reasons.Actually it reminds me of my high school days not so long ago(the strict disciplined boys' school,prefects,uniforms,short hair,physical punishment,fights,evening tutorial classes,uncertainty of future,deprivation of female contact ;)) The similarities are more because the story is set in the time period when south Korea was still developing as a country. I think its a universal issue because the students, as young adults are crushed by the pressure for survival, the uncertainty of their future and the cut throat competition for higher education and success.I think they are more common in developing countries.And for action i must say that they have done a fantastic job.The last fight scene was a work of art(a realistic poem in motion plus the blood and the dirt). who said the hero must win without a scratch?(the last man standing wins)

This movie reminded me a little of highschool actually... well almost anyways. I'm having a hard time figuring out if this movie was suppose to be a love story or a martial arts movie.The story is about a boy who idols Bruce Lee, he ends up going to military school and gets himself into trouble here and there, but also meets a girl he really likes who rides the same bus. Long story short he goes through the teenage years. Girls, dancing, fights, friends and school. I would've probably enjoyed the movie more if the subtitles were properly timed though... One thing that a liked in particular were the fight scenes. I don't know about everyone else, but I get a little tired of our western movies where the hero beats up a hundred people by himself. Good story, good action, and nice music. 7.5/10