March 13, 2009
Ong Bak 2
It's not really a sequel. I don't really care. Martial Arts films don't get much better than this. To hell with special effects, we're gonna fight on elephants!
Starring: Tony Jaa, Sorapong Chatree
Rating: 9/10
Directed By: Tony Jaa
Runtime: 110 minutes
Starring: Tony Jaa, Sorapong Chatree
Rating: 9/10
Directed By: Tony Jaa
Runtime: 110 minutes
My second film of SXSW 2009 was the International Festival premiere of Ong Bak 2. I have such fond memories of my first screening of the original Ong Bak, which was my introduction to star Tony Jaa. I knew at that time he was a force to be reckoned with, and Ong Bak 2 really raises the bar.The story - I'll be honest, the story is a bit clichéd, but that's not a bad thing. You don't see this movie for the story. The story is just an excuse for the action, and the movie delivers on action. Non-stop, balls to the wall, action galore. You will see scenes you've never before experienced, including Tony Jaa running and jumping across the backs of stampeding elephants (and you have to remind yourself that this film doesn't have the budget for costly CGI effects). Not good enough? How about a full on fight on the back, head, and tusks of a live elephant? Yeah, put that in your opium pipe and smoke it. The martial arts scenes are for the most part straight up hard core, no wires or camera tricks, with the exception of one fantasy-fu sequence. And old-school martial arts flick fans will enjoy the hip nod to Drunken Master that Tony pulls off. And weapons! We have so many weapons - sword play, knife fights, spear fights, and the best three-section staff fight I've ever seen.
Could the story have been better? Sure. But I just didn't care. Sometimes you just want to be entertained and impressed. I've seen martial arts films with more ambitious story telling that left me feeling cheated on the action, and honestly left a little bored by the whole endeavor. That didn't happen here. I walked out thoroughly satisfied, and completely entertained, and wanting to see the whole thing again immediately. Real fight is Back! I can't give a better review than that.