Ong Bak Reviews

Tony Jaa is shaping up to take the martial art crown

Muay Thai - a particularly effective Thailand based martial art. This film has it and isn't afraid to use it.

The plot is fairly simple, but who wants complicated plots when the action is so smooth and in so much abundance.

A martial art film for martial art fans, lightly humoured and finally hitting our shores.

The film sometimes looks like a showcase for Tony Jaa, who, if the rumours are correct, could be the next Bruce Lee but definately the next Jackie Chan.

If you are growing tired of blue screen, unrealistic effects, too much wire work then this is the film for you. NO WIRES, NO STUNT DOUBLES and NO CGI!

Look to the east for more action films, Thailand should be sitting proudly next to Hong Kong. America beware - your Hollywood glory days are numbered.

(Who needs to be disappointed by Star Wars when quality viewing like this is available)

Do not mess with this man

The opening scene of this film is awesome (climb trees for a living but not that well). This film does move slowly for a fighty film with a little 2 much dialogue in places BUT when this film goes into high gear it is stunning. The moves this man can pull off (yes anything fancy is shown 10 times from different angles)will have your jaw open, disc 2 shows Tony Jaa performing them live for the sceptics out there. When this film came out it was such a refreshing change to the beautiful but ridiculously OTT 'I have perfected flying technique' offerings from China. Rent this if you want to see real action, there are also some very humourous moments in this 'knives for sale' is a classic.

Some of the best fighting actions

Saw this film on VCD about a year ago, surprised it took that long to appear in western cinemas! anyway, this guy is really really fit ! the story line is a bit predictable but it is worth watching just for the fighting actions, as it is just his own art work, no stunts and to my opinion one of the best martial artists hence 4 stars for the technique.

OUCH

If you are a fan of old school martial arts cinema this is the film for you. You know the formula – there is a plot but that is fairly secondary to the set piece fight scenes which are stunning. This harks back to the days of Bruce Lee as his best – there are no wires, no CGI just sheer physicality, blood, sweat and I’m sure more than a few tears off camera.

Ting (played by martial arts star in the making Tony Jaa) is pure of heart and willing to undergo whatever he must to return the stolen head of the village Buddha, Ong-Bak so that prosperity returns to the village.

This, of course, involves a visit to the big city where he encounters corruption on a large scale and temptation around every corner. Will good overcome evil? I think you know the answer to that.

Please, don’t expect high art, this does what it says on the tin. The story is simple and certain parts somewhat implausible and ultimately irrelevant, however, the action is fast moving and fairly consistent and there are some lighter 'comedy' moments. The soundtrack is also rather good and fits the action. Altogether good fun, it certainly left me in a good mood. Watch this and you’ll know what I mean when I say OUCH!!

Ting Tong says

Tony Jaa's mastery of Thai boxing is a sight to behold and although I have only given this film one star I would recommend you watch it just to see some of the moves this guy pulls off. In particular, some of the jumps/slides he performs during a prolonged chase through the streets are worthy of replay (fortunately, the film often provides such replays without you having to touch your remote). Alas, Tony is the best thing in the film. The script is ludicrous and none of the characters seem fully developed - it is tempting to fast forward the dialogue just to get to the next action sequence. Count Daddy's final thought: Here's looking forward to Tony's next film - let's hope its more 'Enter the Dragon' than 'Exit the Rectum.'

brilliant

saw this quite some time ago, the fight scenes are spectacular. If you are remotely interested in martial arts and you have seen loads of fighty type movies watch this. It certainly is different and isn't 'hollywoodised' to crap.

superb scenes must be seen!

[Highly rated reviewer]

Stone Cold Master

Tony Jaa goes on another retrieval mission in Ong Bak. Some shifty dude steals the village Buda Head and takes it off to Bangkok to sell to some other shifty dude. Without said head, there can be no prosperity for the small village so Tony follows in hot pursuit, only to get embroiled in the Bangkok underworld, an underworld that he systematically destroys along the way with his bone-crushing expertise.

Once again the plot is secondary to the amazing fight sequences. I have not been as impressed by a presence on the screen, as I am with Jaa, since the first time I seen Elvis’ 68 comeback show. Jaa is simply electric. The fights in his movies are so precisely choreographed that it looks like he is actually causing these poor guys damage.

So the plots don’t really matter, although there are some nice performances here, and the cinematography in these movies is always beautiful, from the idyllic scenes of the Thai countryside to the city scenes to the eye popping action scenes, all are pleasing to the eye.

Ong Bak doesn’t have the tongue and check element Warrior King has. This one takes itself a little more seriously, and although I thought Warrior King was better due to the humorous elements, Ong Bak is still a roundhouse kick to the entertainment bone. Keep ‘em coming T.J.

Obviously if you like martial arts you will love anything Tony Jaa makes. He is a stone cold master. Amazing!!!!!

This film packs a punch!

This is a must see film for any martial arts movie fan, and to be honest anyone that enjoys a good action film. Tony Jaa deserves to be put up there with Jackie Chan, Samo Hung, and Jet Li, on this film alone.

The bone crunching fight choreography and stunts surpass anything that Hollywood could offer. As soon as the film started and my girlfriend saw the English subtitles, she was complaining, by the end of the film she was cheering on Tony to beat up the bad guys. Now any film that can change my girlfriends’ opinion deserves all the praise it gets. If your introduction to eastern films was ‘Crouching Tiger’, ‘Hero’, or ‘House of flying Daggers’, These films were cute little puppies, Ong Bak is the big dog in the kennel - you have been warned!

brutal

In a world of CG and wires (Matrix, Crouching Tiger) it's refreshing to see a movie where people are actually fighting without a crew of people to hoist them up in the air.

The cursory plot is paper thin of course but the action sequences are simply amazing. Most of the kicks and punches actually do connect - no fakes here and loads of insanely complex thai boxing.

Anyone who marks this down as just another martial arts movie is clearly a gibbering moron. If anything, it marks a watershed in just how bone-crunchingly realistic action can be if you do it properly. A must for anyone into this genre of cinema.

Excellent fight sequences but didnt live up the hype!

Ong Bak, the story of one man's mission to save his village's sacred dismembered statue in time for the biggest holy celebration on their calendar...sounds simple right? Like something Disney could have churned out as a cute little animation...

There is no denying that Tony Jaa, the man on a mission, is a modern day Bruce Lee (anyone who sayz Jackie Chan is can kiss my ass!) His fighting skills are extremely unique and I sometimes find it hard to believe that this entire film was done without wires and special effects!

Watch if you want to see some of the most realistic fight scenes ever seen on film...skip if you want an in-depth storyline of honour and justice (check out House of Flying Daggers intead!)