Seeing "Ong-Bak: Thai Warrior" was like I died and went to Muay Thai Heaven, if there is such a place.
Director Prachya Pinkaew really knows how to keep the action coming. This film is packed with action from the first few minutes through the end. With "Fight Club"-esque scenes to a car chase between three-wheeled taxis, "Ong-Bak" delivers an exciting film with a somewhat decent storyline.
Tony Jaa is like the new Jackie Chan, but better. Jaa does all of his own stunts and continues to amaze throughout the entire film with his Muay Thai skills and his ability to jump over cars. I just hope he doesn't give in and make some crappy movie like "Shanghai Noon" like Jackie Chan.
"Ong-Bak" is the name of a Buddha statuette. This is revealed when a group of people in a small Thai village outside of Bangkok is found worshipping it. This village is not accustomed to the big-city life Bangkok offers, and many of the village customs are old and outdated. A drug dealer or gangster errand boy by the name of Don (Wannakit Siriput) comes to the village to purchase a small relic from one of the residents. When the man refuses to sell the piece, Don steals Ong-Bak's head instead.
The village is greatly distressed by this and feels that if the head is not returned soon, the whole village will suffer. This is when a Ting (Jaa), a young apprentice of Muay Thai fighting, decides to go to Bangkok in search of this precious artifact. With only the little money that the village could spare, Ting was on his way.
Upon arriving in Bangkok, Ting finds Humlae (Petchtai Wongkamlao), a man who grew up in the same village and now has a serious gambling problem. Humlae decides to help Ting only after he discovers Ting has money.
"Ong-Bak" has some of the best fighting scenes I have every seen. For those who appreciate a good fighting film, "Ong-Bak" is the film to see. It was a mix of "Blood Sport" and "Fight Club," with a dash of "Titanic," but with subtitles. Most of the time I can't stand subtitles, but it was OK for this movie because there was more fighting than talking.
I recommend checking this film out. It's not for the whole family, and most girls probably wouldn't care for it too much. But if you like a lot of fighting, it would be a good pick for you. "Ong-Bak" deserves three and a half pitchforks out of five.
Brian Kirshman believes once you go "Ong-Bak," you never go back.
Reach the reporter at brian.kirshman@asu.edu.
