February 07, 2005
ONG BAK!
What more can I say really? It's been over a years since I last saw Ong Bak and I was recently given a DVD screener for review purposes. I forgot just how amazing this film is.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying the story is very good... because it's not. I'm not saying the acting is very good... because it's not. I'm not saying the plot is very interesting... because it's not. But what I am saying is that this film is a HUGE feast for the eyes. Any human being with even an ounce of appreciation for action and martial arts is going to have mental orgasms through 90% of this movie.
As mentioned before here on The Movie Blog, Ong Bak features Tony Jaa, a man who will probably rule the world soon enough. The catch? There are NO special effects, computer animation or wires used in this movie. All the action and stunts you see on the screen is actually being done by Jaa himself. Trust me folks... you just have to see it to believe it.
Here's an official synopsis of the film... like you really care:
One dark night a former native of a rural Thai village has his men steal the head of the town’s ONG BAK (Buddha statue) to win favor with ruthless Bangkok crime boss Khom Tuan. The locals regard the theft as a catastrophe, and seek a champion to retrieve their lost treasure. They find their man in Ting (Tony Jaa), an orphaned youngster raised at the local temple, and schooled by Pra Kru, a kindly monk, in an ancient system of Muay Thai: ‘Nine Body Weapons’. Ting travels to the mean streets of Bangkok, where he's forced to compete in illegal street fights, taking on both local and foreign opponents to win the head of ONG BAK from the pitiless underworld kingpin.Blah Blah Blah... to be honest, take out the action and this movie blows. However, keep the non-stop action (after the first 15 minutes that is) in the film (which thankfully they did) and you're going to have a damn fine time watching this flick.
Words can't do it justice. Just see it! You can catch the new North American trailer here.
Posted by John Campea at February 7, 2005 02:33 AM
Comments
Posted by: Xun Shin at February 7, 2005 06:59 AM
I just wanted to ask, is the film subtitled or is it dubbed?
Posted by: Dan at February 7, 2005 03:40 PM
Hey there Dan.
Both times I've seen it it's been subtitled. Yay!!!
Posted by: John Campea at February 7, 2005 03:56 PM
Hey Guys, I think this one might be dubbed, only for the simple fact, the anouncer in the americanized trailer was speaking english, i don't know if he did during the subtitled version, but from my perspective...it will be dubbed...
Posted by: Xun Shin at February 7, 2005 08:20 PM
Hey John. Thanks for the update. Given that I own the original Thai version, I was anxious to find out how it was edited (if at all) for the North American market. Did they take out anything/add stuff? Like you said, the story is stupid. There are a couple lines that, translated, are hilarious because they're so bad. That and 'Dirty Balls'.
Posted by: Bart Wang at February 8, 2005 10:45 AM
I just saw the movie in Denver. It was subtitled and not dubbed. I saw it with a bunch of friends and they all thought it was awesome... And at times funny because of the translations. But the martial arts is great and well worth it.
Posted by: B at February 17, 2005 11:50 PM
It's subtitled in Chicago. Great, GREAT ACTION FILM! A must see!
Not enough exclamation points to do it justice!!!!
Posted by: Ting at February 18, 2005 05:25 PM
IT"S FUKIN CRAZY B WATCH IT!!!! YOU CAN"T GET ENUOGH OF THE ACTION
Posted by: lu to the is at February 21, 2005 08:59 PM
yeah.. this movie simply rocks any other action movie i have seen. new moves, new stunts, fascinating action and the signature move of knee in the chest jump.. i loved the last 40 mins of the movie..
although there was this part where it was completely off the hook.. when a guy tries to stab a big saw and tony blocks it with his arms.. the saw diggin into his flesh.. and tony then somehow managed to kick that guys ass.. would urs hands get cut with that big saw.. ?
Posted by: Sid at February 24, 2005 01:00 AM
That movie was sooooo crazy...all of the stuff that he did was RIDICULOUS...omgosh...that is in human...and when he breaks that guys leg and the double knee thing...ho...ly...s$## lol...n e ways....does anyone kno why there was that whole 3 wheeled cart thing...is it juss me or could the movie done without that?...i think THAT was a lil off the hook
Posted by: G at February 27, 2005 02:11 AM
YO MOTHERFUCKERS WATCHE THE MOVE IT IS A SIKE ACTION MOVE BITCHES WATCHE I WATCHED LIKE 4 MONTHS A GO NOW IAM DOING SOME SHIT ABOUT THIS MOVE IT IS A NICE MOVE WATCHE IT SIKE ACTION.............
Posted by: AK47 at April 20, 2005 05:52 PM
i cant find the movie anywhere. not to download. not to rent. not to buy. its like all i get is trailers. please help me!
Posted by: moviegoer at May 23, 2005 08:06 PM
I already had a mental orgasm, just watching the flippin' trailer
Xun