There are few genuine genius' in the world...
...but one of them is undoubtedly Tony Jaa.
Ong Bak came out on DVD officially in the UK on Monday, and naturally, I scampered out first thing to get it.
I will not cease raving about this film. Having had to endure the very, very long period in which Martial Arts action films have been in decline (with only a few notable exceptions) I was orgasmically thrilled when Ong Bak was unleashed on the world.
Seriously, this film does things that modern Hong Kong filmmaking only remembers in rose-tinted nostalgia.
Tony Jaa is a phenomenon.
Many young martial artists have come and been hailed as 'The New Bruce Lee' or 'The Next Jackie Chan' but without exception, none have fulfilled the expectations. There has been a large generation gap in Martial Arts filmmaking for quite some time, no new leading men to rival the Chan's, Li's and Lee's of the world.
I mean, hell, Jackie's in his 50's now, Bruce has been dead 30 years, and Jet Li is in his 40's and, if you're to believe his claims, will be retiring after his Huo Yuanjia biopic 'Fearless'.
Enter Phanom Yeerum, or 'Tony Jaa' to his new friends.
I'm a film snob, particularly when it comes to martial arts action movies. Lot's of new films come along, and I'll usually say 'yeah ok it's good for a modern movie, but its nothing compared to the old classics' etc etc ad nauseum.
However, and this would usually be a tough admission for me to make, Ong Bak IS all that.
In many ways, it's even better than the 'golden era' of 80's Hong Kong cinema. It's learnt the lessons of the past 20 years, and has burst out of Thailand at a time when everyone is flying and fighting in treetops to the sounds of soft chinese string instruments.
Quite simply, it's a complete no-holds-barred, elbow-smashing, arm-snapping, jaw-breaking, jaw-DROPPING action movie. It helps that the leading man is the greatest force of physicality to star in a movie since Jackie's heyday.
He has the skill of Jackie Chan, the athleticism of Yuen Biao, and the dexterity of Sammo Hung. Not to mention the speed and sheer ferocity of Bruce Lee at his finest. Now, I know that people who are even are serious hardcore purists will scoff and say 'NEVAH!!!!' as noone can usurp the mighty Bruce, but face it, he made 4 movies and has been gone for 30 years.
Tony Jaa's the king. And at being only in his late 20's, he has alot of time to make an impact.
Now follows a few stills from the best action movie of the past 10 years. Period. Not just Martial Arts movies either.
To you, these are pictures, but to me, this is very close to spank fodder.
The man himself, Tony Jaa, in full Rope Fist Fight garb.
Tony Jaa kicking someone. Hard. In the neck. While falling on his back.
Literally beating the living shit, spunk and soul out of the curly haired burly guy in the Fight Club scene. It's about at this point in the film I have my eighth orgasm. Elbow strikes will do that for a guy.
Tony Jaa jumps over a car. Like you do.
The guy on the bike? Oh dear...
Oh yes. This film will tear off your arse and sprinkle salt and pepper on the gaping fleshy wound.
In Other News: Come on, seriously.
Ong Bak came out on DVD officially in the UK on Monday, and naturally, I scampered out first thing to get it.
I will not cease raving about this film. Having had to endure the very, very long period in which Martial Arts action films have been in decline (with only a few notable exceptions) I was orgasmically thrilled when Ong Bak was unleashed on the world.
Seriously, this film does things that modern Hong Kong filmmaking only remembers in rose-tinted nostalgia.
Tony Jaa is a phenomenon.
Many young martial artists have come and been hailed as 'The New Bruce Lee' or 'The Next Jackie Chan' but without exception, none have fulfilled the expectations. There has been a large generation gap in Martial Arts filmmaking for quite some time, no new leading men to rival the Chan's, Li's and Lee's of the world.
I mean, hell, Jackie's in his 50's now, Bruce has been dead 30 years, and Jet Li is in his 40's and, if you're to believe his claims, will be retiring after his Huo Yuanjia biopic 'Fearless'.
Enter Phanom Yeerum, or 'Tony Jaa' to his new friends.
I'm a film snob, particularly when it comes to martial arts action movies. Lot's of new films come along, and I'll usually say 'yeah ok it's good for a modern movie, but its nothing compared to the old classics' etc etc ad nauseum.
However, and this would usually be a tough admission for me to make, Ong Bak IS all that.
In many ways, it's even better than the 'golden era' of 80's Hong Kong cinema. It's learnt the lessons of the past 20 years, and has burst out of Thailand at a time when everyone is flying and fighting in treetops to the sounds of soft chinese string instruments.
Quite simply, it's a complete no-holds-barred, elbow-smashing, arm-snapping, jaw-breaking, jaw-DROPPING action movie. It helps that the leading man is the greatest force of physicality to star in a movie since Jackie's heyday.
He has the skill of Jackie Chan, the athleticism of Yuen Biao, and the dexterity of Sammo Hung. Not to mention the speed and sheer ferocity of Bruce Lee at his finest. Now, I know that people who are even are serious hardcore purists will scoff and say 'NEVAH!!!!' as noone can usurp the mighty Bruce, but face it, he made 4 movies and has been gone for 30 years.
Tony Jaa's the king. And at being only in his late 20's, he has alot of time to make an impact.
Now follows a few stills from the best action movie of the past 10 years. Period. Not just Martial Arts movies either.
To you, these are pictures, but to me, this is very close to spank fodder.
The man himself, Tony Jaa, in full Rope Fist Fight garb.
Tony Jaa kicking someone. Hard. In the neck. While falling on his back.
Literally beating the living shit, spunk and soul out of the curly haired burly guy in the Fight Club scene. It's about at this point in the film I have my eighth orgasm. Elbow strikes will do that for a guy.
Tony Jaa jumps over a car. Like you do.
The guy on the bike? Oh dear...
Oh yes. This film will tear off your arse and sprinkle salt and pepper on the gaping fleshy wound.
In Other News: Come on, seriously.