Thumbs up for movie The Long Way Home 서부전선.

The Korean War started in 1953 whereby the North and South fought for a long period of time. The Long Way Home 서부전선 is a movie set in that era – a lighthearted comedy yet touching story about 2 soldiers who hail from North and South at the war period. They are from different backgrounds and yet they come together as one while became best buddies facing hardships.

The South deployed their troop of soldiers to carry few top confidential letters to bring to their camp. Nam Bok a South Korean soldier in his late 30s has been forced to join the force and deliver the important document that may or may not decide the fate of war. Nam Bok is originally a poor farmer who lives moderately with his wife and little baby son who was just born before he was dispatched out.

During the mission, the delivery message troop were attacked and most of them scattered everywhere. Nam Bok loses his important document only to discover a young soldier boy, Young Kwang from the North stole and ran away with it. This is where the comedy scenes come in. Both soldiers were so naive and innocent in handling their weapons. Young Kwang is still a teenage boy fresh from high school who was driving along with his so-called brothers in a tank. His team were all killed during an ambush and he bears grudge on the South. When he meets Nam Bok, both struggled to fight with each other. The older Nam Bok chases Young Kwang everywhere for the document. It was quite a sight seeing older dude fighting off with young boy while they can't even handle their own guns and tank!

Both were stung by bees and swell to their face yet they were still aiming at each other with guns. They went to a nearby village where they witnessed a family giving birth and were presented with many flowers and food. The upper troop were anxious that the document is still not found. When Nam Bok and Young Kwang finally decided to cease fire and helped each other, they were like brothers. They fished together at the river, had meals and drank happily together. The war doesn't seem to deter the two people from various zones. Nam Bok yearns to go home to see his wife and baby boy who doesn't even have a name. Young Kwang has an elderly mother and a pretty girlfriend in the North waiting for him.

After all the chasing, finally Young Kwang gives in the document to Nam Bok. The two decided to go on separate ways and wished each other well. Young Kwang even called Nam Bok 'hyung' as a mark of respect. Suddenly the ambush attack came and missiles were launched everywhere. The two soldiers ran for their lives with bloody injured faces. Somehow Young Kwang couldn't make it as he died at the ground. Nam Bok shed tears seeing he is so young and they were already hoping to go home peacefully. He sends Young Kwang's body back on a cart pulled by a cow with a plank written his name and position. Slowly Nam Bok went on his way home with visualization of his wife cradling his baby son. It was indeed a long journey back to home....

I must give thumbs up for actor Sol Kyung Gu as Nam Bok- he has portrayed very funny roles. He was scared to death when he was faced with the tank and his expression was just priceless.  Being a senior of 30 years compared to actor Yeo Jin Goo who played Young Kwang, there was no stopping. The funniest scene of Young Kwang hiding inside his tank, cursing away his senior and bossing him around was fantastic. 

Viewers were cracking up as Nam Bok ran for his life with his rifle as Young Kwang was trying to figure out how to operate the tank reading a user manual! Ha ha! Then when Nam Bok takes hold of the tank, it rides up to the South- the opposite goes when Young Kwang took control. The tank was basically their little house and enjoyment. 

The fact where Young Kwang hid the document behind Kim Jong Il's photo frame was funny.

And not to forget, the brown cow pulling the cart is hilarious. It seems to be following them everywhere even into the war zone! The question here is Nam Bok placed Young Kwang's body on the cart bidding farewell, does the cow even know how to take him home to the North? 

Well this is just no ordinary war movie on bloodshed and weapons, it is also meant to make the audience laugh at times seeing how these two innocent soldiers face each other in the war and yet they somehow bond a special relationship despite their status and age...

My thoughts on this movie?- great...I love it. I've never laughed so much in a war movie.

Ending thoughts? I wish Young Kwang's role was kept alive and he still kept in touch with Nam Bok to later life. 

Graphics- The CGI were quite funny but quite good. The plane bombers, tanks and shooting seemed real. 

Cast- No doubt big age gap between Sol Kyung Gu and Yeo Jin Goo but they were perfect!

          The two have perfect bods when they were fishing at the river. A-hem! *swoons*

          Sol is perfect for any comical roles, while Yeo could play off any role at his age.

And come to think of it, Sol is actress Song Yun Ah's husband in real life... I think he could play at Yeo's father as well. During an interview, Sol mentioned that the 'noona fans' who are waiting out there will soon be rejoicing and welcoming him when Jin Goo turns 21. LOL!