DVD Review: Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior
Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior
DVD Review © Deb Mudie, 2005
You’ve probably never heard of this movie, which is a damn shame. And looking at the cover of the DVD, you could be forgiven for thinking that Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior is just another martial arts film, with Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan comparisons bandied around to tempt you.
Ong-Bak is incredible. Well, to be slightly more accurate, Tony Jaa, the star of Ong-Bak is incredible, but the film is a chance to see him in action, and as such, is well worth it!
The story-line? Well, the plot’s better than in a porn film, but not by much. Mostly it’s an excuse to get to the action, and it sets that up well enough. Beginning in the village of Ong Bak, named after the Buddha the villagers worship, Ting (Jaa) becomes a reluctant protagonist after the head of their statue is stolen by Bak Don (Sirioput). A proficient student in the art of Muay Thai (Thai’s Fist, more commonly known as Thai Kickboxing), Ting sets off to Bangkok to recover the statues head and save his village.
Once he gets to Bangkok, he meets up with Ai Hum Lae (Wongkamlao) and his girlfriend Muay Lek (Yodkamol), loses his money, makes enemies of a local gang, accidentally ends up competing in an underground fighting club, - and we get to see some action!
Ong-Bak’s claim to distinction is that it’s completely real fighting - no stunts, no trick photography. Punches are pulled, but you can’t tell by looking. Everything seen in this movie was actually done, and multi-view shots and different angles prove that the stunning action just seen was actually performed. With physical comedy chase scenes in the style made famous by Jackie Chan, and hard-core one-on-one fights in the ring, Tony Jaa actually lives up to the hype.
“The mustang has galloped on your face.”
Shown in wide-screen format and with English subtitles, Ong-Bak is one of the rare martial arts films worth watching more than once - and the easy chaptering on the DVD makes it simple to return to the best scenes and rewatch. Extras on the disc include an interview with Jaa, footage of him performing at various movie premieres around the world, and rehearsals done before filming.
Director Pranchya Pinkaeuw and Muay Thai fighter Jaa have collaborated well with Ong-Bak, and despite wobbly acting and simple plot, this movie is well worth watching, flinching at, owning, and sharing. Recommended.
Starring: Tony Jaa’s powerful elbows; Petchtai Wongkamlao’s expressive countenance; Pumwaree Yodkamol’s amusing antics; Suchao Pongwilai’s appalling attitude; Wannakit Sirioput’s head for advancement; and Chumphorn Thepphihak’s throaty laugh.
Originally printed here at varsity.co.nz
Official website
Trailer
DVD Review © Deb Mudie, 2005
You’ve probably never heard of this movie, which is a damn shame. And looking at the cover of the DVD, you could be forgiven for thinking that Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior is just another martial arts film, with Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan comparisons bandied around to tempt you.
Ong-Bak is incredible. Well, to be slightly more accurate, Tony Jaa, the star of Ong-Bak is incredible, but the film is a chance to see him in action, and as such, is well worth it!
The story-line? Well, the plot’s better than in a porn film, but not by much. Mostly it’s an excuse to get to the action, and it sets that up well enough. Beginning in the village of Ong Bak, named after the Buddha the villagers worship, Ting (Jaa) becomes a reluctant protagonist after the head of their statue is stolen by Bak Don (Sirioput). A proficient student in the art of Muay Thai (Thai’s Fist, more commonly known as Thai Kickboxing), Ting sets off to Bangkok to recover the statues head and save his village.
Once he gets to Bangkok, he meets up with Ai Hum Lae (Wongkamlao) and his girlfriend Muay Lek (Yodkamol), loses his money, makes enemies of a local gang, accidentally ends up competing in an underground fighting club, - and we get to see some action!
Ong-Bak’s claim to distinction is that it’s completely real fighting - no stunts, no trick photography. Punches are pulled, but you can’t tell by looking. Everything seen in this movie was actually done, and multi-view shots and different angles prove that the stunning action just seen was actually performed. With physical comedy chase scenes in the style made famous by Jackie Chan, and hard-core one-on-one fights in the ring, Tony Jaa actually lives up to the hype.
“The mustang has galloped on your face.”
Shown in wide-screen format and with English subtitles, Ong-Bak is one of the rare martial arts films worth watching more than once - and the easy chaptering on the DVD makes it simple to return to the best scenes and rewatch. Extras on the disc include an interview with Jaa, footage of him performing at various movie premieres around the world, and rehearsals done before filming.
Director Pranchya Pinkaeuw and Muay Thai fighter Jaa have collaborated well with Ong-Bak, and despite wobbly acting and simple plot, this movie is well worth watching, flinching at, owning, and sharing. Recommended.
Starring: Tony Jaa’s powerful elbows; Petchtai Wongkamlao’s expressive countenance; Pumwaree Yodkamol’s amusing antics; Suchao Pongwilai’s appalling attitude; Wannakit Sirioput’s head for advancement; and Chumphorn Thepphihak’s throaty laugh.
Originally printed here at varsity.co.nz
Official website
Trailer