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I'd been hearing about Ong-Bak: Thai Warrior for quite a while now. Although it's been almost impossible to see in America, the film and its star, Tony Jaa, have been getting an incredible amount of buzz. But I live in Utah, and I'd just about given up hope that I would ever see it. Well, I should have had more faith... Tower Theatre got a copy, and they're playing it this week. I just went and saw it with my wife.
Holy cow, I haven't seen a martial arts movie like this in years. It's like the stuff Jackie Chan used to make at his absolute peak. Tony Jaa is phenomenal. And the funny thing is how unsuited he looks for the part. He's got this cute little baby face and a high voice. He looks like the kind of person that would ordinarily be cast as a comic foil in a kung fu movie. But once he starts moving he becomes a totally different person.
I'm not going to try to explain the film. There's no way I could do it justice. But there are two things you've got to understand. First, although it's somewhat more engaging than the average action movie plot, meaning you won't be praying for death during the times when there's no action happening, it's still not a movie you'll want to watch for the drama. Second, this isn't a kung-fu movie. It's a Muay Thai movie. It was made in Thailand, and Tony is a master of their fighting style. It's much more brutally utilitarian than the showy Jackie Chan or Jet Li styles you may be used to seeing. Still, the guy is incredibly acrobatic, fast, flexible and powerful. He will make you do this: . If you're the type of person who can accept those two caveats, you won't be disappointed.
That's all I'm going to say. I'm still in a trance... after a series of increasingly disappointing productions by Jackie and Jet, I never thought I'd see a really good martial arts flick again. As far as the action is concerned, it was better than Hero, House of Flying Daggers, Kill Bill, or anything else I've seen in about 10 years, except maybe Crouching Tiger. I'll probably see it again. Anyone else in the valley, if you want to go, come along. Or go on your own. But don't let it leave town before you see it. It will blow your ever-loving mind.
One other tidbit: Jackie Chan does all his own stunts, right? Cool, right? Well, this guy ups the ante. He does all his own stunts... without wires. He's nuts.
Fat chance we'd ever get it here, though. *sigh* I'm still waiting for someone here to get Les Choristes.
Posts: 285 | Registered: Apr 2005
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