Ashfall: A Volcanic Disaster Movie That Will Keep You on the Edge of Your Seat
If you are a fan of disaster movies, you might have heard of Ashfall, a 2019 South Korean film that depicts the aftermath of a massive volcanic eruption on the Korean peninsula. The film was a box office hit in South Korea and received positive reviews from critics and audiences alike. But what makes this film so special and worth watching? Here are some reasons why you should check out Ashfall if you haven’t already.
What is Ashfall about?
Ashfall is a disaster film that combines action, drama, and sci-fi elements. It tells the story of a group of unlikely heroes who try to prevent a catastrophic disaster from happening after Mount Paektu, an active volcano on the border between China and North Korea, suddenly erupts and causes severe earthquakes and tsunamis in both North and South Korea.
The plot summary of Ashfall
The film follows Jo In-chang (Ha Jung-woo), a captain of a special forces team who is assigned to take part in a secret operation to stop the final eruption of Mount Paektu. He contacts Lee Joon-pyeong (Lee Byung-hun), a former North Korean spy who has vital information about the location of a mine that can be used to detonate a nuclear device inside the volcano’s caldera. Meanwhile, Jo In-chang’s pregnant wife Choi Ji-young (Bae Suzy) is alone in Seoul and struggling to survive amidst the chaos. Jo In-chang and Lee Joon-pyeong must overcome their differences and work together to save the Korean peninsula from total destruction.
The cast and crew of Ashfall
Ashfall boasts an impressive cast of some of the most popular and talented actors in South Korea. Lee Byung-hun, who plays Lee Joon-pyeong, is an internationally acclaimed actor who has starred in films such as The Good, the Bad, the Weird, I Saw the Devil, Inside Men, and The Magnificent Seven. Ha Jung-woo, who plays Jo In-chang, is one of the most versatile and charismatic actors in South Korea, who has appeared in films such as The Chaser, The Yellow Sea, The Handmaiden, and Along with the Gods. Bae Suzy, who plays Choi Ji-young, is a popular singer and actress who has starred in dramas such as Dream High, While You Were Sleeping, and Vagabond. Ma Dong-seok, who plays Professor Kang Bong-rae, is a beloved actor who has shown his comedic and action skills in films such as Train to Busan, The Outlaws, and The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil. Jeon Hye-jin, who plays Jeon Yoo-kyung, is an award-winning actress who has delivered memorable performances in films such as Mother, Mistress, and Default.
The film was directed by Lee Hae-jun and Kim Byung-seo, who also co-wrote the screenplay. Lee Hae-jun is known for his comedy films such as Castaway on the Moon and My Dictator. Kim Byung-seo is a cinematographer who has worked on films such as <
Cold Eyes and The Fortress. The film was produced by Dexter Studios, one of the leading visual effects companies in South Korea, who also worked on films such as Along with the Gods, Mr. Go, and The Tiger.
Why should you watch Ashfall?
Ashfall is not just another disaster movie. It is a film that offers a lot of entertainment value and social commentary. Here are some of the reasons why you should watch Ashfall.
The spectacular visual effects and action scenes of Ashfall
One of the main attractions of Ashfall is the stunning visual effects that bring the volcanic eruption and its consequences to life. The film features realistic and immersive scenes of lava flows, ash clouds, earthquakes, tsunamis, and explosions that will make you feel like you are witnessing the disaster firsthand. The film also has thrilling action sequences that showcase the skills and courage of the characters as they face various dangers and obstacles. The film has a budget of 26 billion won (about 22 million USD), making it one of the most expensive films in South Korean history. The film’s production team spent more than two years on the visual effects, using more than 3000 computer graphics shots. The film’s visual effects were praised by critics and audiences alike, and won several awards, including the Best Visual Effects award at the 56th Grand Bell Awards.
The emotional and thrilling story of Ashfall
Ashfall is not just a spectacle of destruction. It is also a story of human drama, survival, and hope. The film explores the themes of family, friendship, loyalty, sacrifice, and patriotism through the characters’ personal struggles and relationships. The film also has a lot of suspense and twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The film balances humor and tension, making you laugh and cry at the same time. The film’s ending is especially touching and satisfying, giving you a sense of closure and optimism. The film’s story was praised by critics and audiences alike, and won several awards, including the Best Screenplay award at the 40th Blue Dragon Film Awards.
The geopolitical and cultural significance of Ashfall
Ashfall is not just a fictional scenario. It is also a reflection of the current situation and history of the Korean peninsula. The film depicts the cooperation and conflict between North and South Korea, as well as their relations with China and the United States. The film also references real events and issues, such as the Korean War, the nuclear threat, the inter-Korean summit, and the Mount Paektu bloodline. The film also showcases the culture and identity of Korea, such as its language, music, food, and traditions. The film’s significance was recognized by critics and audiences alike, and won several awards, including the Best Film award at the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards.
Where can you watch Ashfall legally online?
If you are interested in watching Ashfall, you might be wondering where you can find it legally online. Here are some of the options that you can choose from.
The streaming platforms that offer Ashfall
One of the easiest ways to watch Ashfall online is to use a streaming platform that has the film in its library. Some of the streaming platforms that offer Ashfall are:
| Streaming Platform | Availability | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netflix | Worldwide (except China) | $8.99-$17.99 per month (depending on plan) | [Netflix] |
| Hulu | United States only | $5.99-$11.99 per month (depending on plan) | [Hulu] |
| Viki | Worldwide (except China) | $4.99-$9.99 per month (depending on plan) | [Viki] |
| iQiyi | China only | $2-$5 per month (depending on plan) | [iQiyi] | Amazon Prime Video | United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand only | $8.99-$12.99 per month (depending on plan) | [Amazon Prime Video] |
However, the availability and price of Ashfall on these streaming platforms may vary depending on your region and subscription. You may also need a VPN service to access some of these platforms if they are not available in your country.
The rental and purchase options for Ashfall
Another way to watch Ashfall online is to rent or buy the film from an online video store. Some of the online video stores that offer Ashfall are:
| Online Video Store | Rental Price | Purchase Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube | $3.99-$4.99 (depending on quality) | $14.99-$19.99 (depending on quality) | [YouTube] |
| Google Play Movies & TV | $3.99-$4.99 (depending on quality) | $14.99-$19.99 (depending on quality) | [Google Play Movies & TV] |
| iTunes | $3.99-$4.99 (depending on quality) | $14.99-$19.99 (depending on quality) | [iTunes] | Vudu | $3.99-$4.99 (depending on quality) | $14.99-$19.99 (depending on quality) | [Vudu] |
However, the rental and purchase prices of Ashfall on these online video stores may vary depending on your region and currency. You may also need a compatible device and a stable internet connection to watch the film online.
Conclusion
Ashfall is a volcanic disaster movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It has a captivating story, a stellar cast, and amazing visual effects. It also has a geopolitical and cultural significance that makes it more than just a popcorn flick. If you are looking for a thrilling and entertaining film to watch online, you should definitely give Ashfall a try. You can find it on various streaming platforms and online video stores, depending on your preference and availability. Just make sure to watch it legally and avoid any illegal or pirated sources that may harm your device or violate the rights of the filmmakers.
FAQs
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about Ashfall.
Is Ashfall based on a true story?
No, Ashfall is not based on a true story. It is a fictional scenario that imagines what would happen if Mount Paektu erupted and caused a massive disaster on the Korean peninsula. However, the film does reference some real events and issues that are related to the situation and history of Korea.
Is Mount Paektu really an active volcano?
Yes, Mount Paektu is really an active volcano that is located on the border between China and North Korea. It is considered to be one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world, as it has a history of violent eruptions that have affected the region and beyond. The last major eruption of Mount Paektu occurred in 946 AD, which was one of the largest volcanic events in recorded history. The current status of Mount Paektu is uncertain, as there have been signs of volcanic activity in recent years, such as earthquakes, gas emissions, and temperature changes.
How did Ashfall perform at the box office?
Ashfall was a huge success at the box office, both in South Korea and internationally. It was released on December 19, 2019 in South Korea, where it attracted more than 8 million viewers and grossed more than 72 billion won (about 61 million USD). It was also released in other countries, such as China, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States. It earned more than 36 million USD from overseas markets, bringing its total worldwide gross to more than 97 million USD.
What are some other disaster movies that are similar to Ashfall?
If you enjoyed Ashfall, you might also like some other disaster movies that are similar to it. Some of them are:
- Dante’s Peak (1997): A film about a volcanologist who tries to save a town from an erupting volcano.
- The Day After Tomorrow (2004): A film about a climatologist who tries to rescue his son from a global ice age caused by climate change.
- 2012 (2009): A film about a writer who tries to survive a series of cataclysmic events that threaten to destroy the world.
- Pandora (2016): A film about a nuclear power plant worker who tries to prevent a meltdown after an earthquake.
- Tunnel (2016): A film about a car salesman who gets trapped in a collapsed tunnel and waits for rescue.
Where can I find more information about Ashfall?
If you want to find more information about Ashfall, you can visit some of these websites:
- [The official website of Ashfall]
- [The IMDb page of Ashfall]
- [The Wikipedia page of Ashfall]
- [The Rotten Tomatoes page of Ashfall]
- [The Metacritic page of Ashfall]
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