Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior (2005) Movie Information:

Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior (2005) Directed by: Prachya Pinkaew Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior (2005) Written by: Prachya Pinkaew, Panna Rittikrai Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior (2005) Cast: Phanom Yeerum, Petchtai Wongkamlao, Pumwaree Yodkamol, Suchao Pongwilai, David Ismalone, Chatthapong Pantanaunkul, Erik Markus Schuetz, Rungrawee Barijindakul, Don Ferguson, Chatewut Watcharakhun, Nudhapol Asavabhakhin, Nick Kara

Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior (2005) U.S. Distributor: Magnolia Pictures Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior (2005) U.K. Distributor: Not available at this time

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Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior (2005) Synopsis:

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 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 ruthless crime boss.

Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior (2005) Movie Review:

I often find it difficult to recommend a film that is based primarily on a gimmick, as Ong-Bak seems to be with the tagline, “No wires, no CGI, no strings attached”, but somehow in this case I find myself leaning more towards recommending than not. Just as Rumble in the Bronx got buzz merely for the fact that Jackie Chan had performed all of the stunts and even broken bones in the process, Tony Jaa is receiving acclaim for the amazing physical feats he is able to achieve.

The basic premise of the film is centered around an orphaned young man who sets out on a quest to retrieve the head of a sacred statue, which has been stolen from his small village. He travels to Bangkok where his skills of Muay Thai: ‘Nine Body Weapons’, which he learned from a kindly monk, help save him and also target him in an underground fighting competition.

There is no question that Tony Jaa is in fact amazing, able to battle with speed and agility, and performs all sorts of stunts within a chase through the streets of Bangkok, exhibiting his talent rather than advancing the plot any further. That is the main problem with this action packed film. Within the action it is a great deal of fun, although very obviously only about Tony Jaa, and he is certain to be the only thing that anyone is sure to remember. I don’t even feel that there is anything wrong with this. I’m certain that not many people would put Jackie Chan’s first film on any list of greatest films ever made, but it served it’s purpose as a vehicle to display his abilities, allowing him opportunities to make better films.

The version of Ong-Bak opening in select theaters in the U.S. today is actually a different version than the one released in Thailand (and I’m sure pirated by many internet users as well). This version was re-edited by producer Luc Besson, with new music added as well. Without having seen the original version, I’m not entirely certain how much was changed, but there are a few editing techniques which are aimed at displaying Jaa’s talent specifically, rather than fitting with the actual film.

Just because the focus is on Jaa, don’t think that this isn’t reason enough to see the film. There are many intense boxing matches, some great chase scenes (including a chase using only the ‘tuk-tuk’, the three wheeled Bangkok taxi), and even a fight in which Jaa’s feet are engulfed in flame. If that doesn’t get your blood pumping, feel free to skip this one. On the other hand, if that sounds like your kind of action, plot will probably be irrelevant to you and you will be sure to love the film from beginning to end.

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Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior (2005) review written by: Dean Kish