ONG_BAK: The Thai Warrior-2005

Director : Prachya Pinkaew

Producer(s): Chatthapong Pantanaunkul, Sukanya Vongsthapat

Writer(s): Prachya Pinkaew, Panna Rittikrai

Running Time : 105 mins

Genre : Martail Arts/action/drama

Rating: R

Cast : Tony Jaa, Petchtai Wongkamlao, Pumwaree Yodkamol, Pumwaree Yodkamol, Wannakit Sirioput, Chatthapong Pantanaunkul  

            Ya, Haven't seen a good movie in a while? Bored and need some kickass excitement in your life? Lost all faith in good ol' beat their as to a pulp action films? Well this movie is the answer my friend. Just when it seems as though the only movies showing in theatres are forgettable big budget action GGI trash that are only slightly more exciting than your popcorn........... along comes a lo budget Independant film like Ong Bak.
    Ong-Bak is a movie I had first heard about almost a year are so ago as a little blurb on the internet here and there. A little less than a few months ago, I began to read more and more about it, and some new actor by the name of "Tony Jaa". I finally began to see clips online of the film, and started to notice what people were talking about. After finally getting a copy of the film and sitting down for a viewing...........well let me put it to you like this...Tony Jaa's performance brought back memories of seeing Bruce Lee for the first time in The Big Boss (Fists of Fury here in the US) in a cheezy dollar a showing movie theatre when I was about 15. In both of these films, Both characters were ultra badass but also naive, innocent, and had left their home for the sake of family. Both characters in some shape or form had to hold back their extraordinary physical kickass abilities for the sake of honor. Yep this film is about a fresh out the water farm boy kickin some major ass.

    In only their first movie debut, director Prachya Pinkaew and lead actor Tony Jaa have created one very impressive, or might I say KICKASS  action movie in "Ong Bak". Jaa plays Ting, a muay thai fighter from a small village in Thailand. In the story, the villagers revere Ong Bak, a statue of Buddha kept in the village's temple, and believe it guarantees the safety of the village. Don, a former villager turned criminal, removes the head from the statue and takes it to Bangkok, to curry a favor from the crime lord Khom Tuan. A shy but kickass Ting played by Tony Jaa follows Don to Bangkok and fights for the return of Ong Bak.
   Story wise, its a pretty standard action movie, it touches briefly on serious social issues in Thailand, but only very briefly. Action wise, its a pretty badass action movie. And Tony Jaa is pretty good at showing off his muay thai skills on screen as he fights a wide range of opponents. Most of the one-on-one fights are very well choreographed and quite intense. As for stunts, some of them would make even old school Jackie Chan green with envy. Jaa and Pinkaew have hit the nail right on the head when it comes to action movies, and in only their first go! 
Overall, this film is without a doubt mandatory viewing for martial arts film fans and/or martial arts practitioners

9/10 Stars