ONG BAK

Can anyone give me their opinions on ONG BAK, the Thai movie. Is it worth purchasing, or am i wasting my money and time in watching the movie.

[Jetsam]

I think it's a great movie, the story is nothing to write home about but the action is really breathtaking, and even if you don't like action there is always Tony Jaa :geek:

http://upload2.postimage.org/65745/tj.jpg (http://upload2.postimage.org/65745/photo_hosting.html)


Trailer here: under extra's

http://www.ongbakdvd.com/index.php

Absolutely MAGNIFICIENT! The quality of the action is incredible. Do not watch How the film was made, until you have seen it. You will be impressed. Though a 'Kung Fu' genre film, it is Thai in all leanings. It is thorougly enjoyable. BUY IT before the sun goes down again.

[Smiles]

I can rarely watch movies more than once so I never buy them ... usually rent what I want to watch.

But I have seen ONG BAK more than once simply because it takes me back a bit to Thailand when I'm here at home, and for that reason alone I'd probably consider buying it.

For what is essentially a kung fu movie (the lead dude is schooled in Muay Thai), it's really pretty good. I've read that all the stunts were done by the lead actor himself and they are worth the price of admission alone. The acting in general is weepy/soap opera style ... old ladies crying; old men looking morose, young men getting angry. But the lead dude is good and the scenes in the Khao Sorn back-street fight bar are as energetic as you'd ever want.
The Tuk Tuk chase scene is hilarious and I don't doubt it has actually happened ... what with the Thai predilection not to bother putting up safety barriers on overhead highways leading to nowhere :fucyc:

I enjoy it when I get to see it (first time was at Central Lat Phrao if I remember), and I'm sure you will too.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v18/sawatdeephotos/Images/ongbak.jpg

Cheers ...

It's on special offer at Virgin (or is it HMV?) in Oxford Street London at the moment. ┬г8.99, if I recall correctly.

I've given an opinion before. Not knocked out by it, but I used to live opposite Shaw Brothers Studio on the Clear Water Bay Road and used to work out in the same gym in Tsim Sha Tsui as Donnie Yen, so I'v eseen some kickers in my time and have a huge collection of Kung Fu and HK ganster movies.

OB is probably the best Thai Kick Boxing movie made to date. Doesn't compare well with the best ex-HK though IMNSHO.

Certainly worth ┬г8.99. I have a copy bought in THailand for a bit less, sans Anglais.

Tropical Malady is up for a BBC4 award tonight BTW. Didn't like that eiver.

The star is handsome, the story weak, the action fast if jerky. Go for it.

[manfarang-old]

If you like martial arts films I think you will probably like Ong Bak. There are some very good, athletic effects that one rarely sees in HK or Chinese films without the use of wires or computer graphics. Some have hailed it as the second coming of martial arts films, but I really don't see it.

As for Tropical Malady, I enjoyed it very much, but it does fall in the "art film" category and I can see where others might not be fond of the pacing and/or somewhat disjointed storyline.

I enjoyed Ong Bak a lot. It looks good and the action scenes are well done. They have a version dubbed into English or with Thai and English subtitles in Look Maew in MBK Bangkok. I think I paid Bt200. I think it is superior to the next one made Tom Yam Goon which edged into the ludicrous despite some good scenes.

My favourite among recent films of this genre was Kung Fu Hustle which managed to be stylish, very funny and well made. It got a release in Europe and America. I dragged friends to see it in the UK and they would not have gone to see a kiung fu movie but thoroughly enjoyed it.

www.ongbakdvd.com/index.php (http://www.ongbakdvd.com/index.php)
www.sonypictures.net/movies/kungfuhustle/site/ (http://www.sonypictures.net/movies/kungfuhustle/site/)

If you think Stephen "Chow" is cute, and who wouldn't, this fan site
http://chow-sing-chi.com/ has lots of captures from his films and a rather interesting (for camp/web deception content) TV ad for San Mig under "videos" in the bottom left.

North Star I thought Tropical Malady dreadful... it could not make up its mind what it was doing. Not a buy, but Ong Bak is.

North Star I thought Tropical Malady dreadful... it could not make up its mind what it was doing. Not a buy, but Ong Bak is.

Well I bought a copy in Panthip Plaza when it first came out since I don't consider a few hundred baht exorbitant for a movie with handsome guys whether I can understand it or not.

The Jury's deliberation, they didn't really endorse it, gave me the idea I should watch it again though. I'll find time in a few months, I expect. I do think it exudes sincerity, if not the will to communicate.

You see, where film is concerned I can be arty or tarty.