Despite some impressive fight scenes, this trimmed-down version of the Thai action pic is an off-putting mix of scant plot, choppy editing, and confusing subtitles and dubbing.
Despite some impressive fight scenes, this trimmed-down version of the Thai action pic is an off-putting mix of scant plot, choppy editing, and confusing subtitles and dubbing.
audience
75
liked it
Average Rating: 3.6/5
User Ratings: 72,435
Kham's life is turned upside down when an international mafia syndicate, based in Australia, captures his two beloved elephants and smuggles them thousands of kilometers away to Sydney. The two elephants are far more than mere animals to Kham and his father; they are part of his family and were being prepared to be presented as a token of devotion to his Majesty the King of Thailand. The only way Kham can possibly save the animals is by venturing into a foreign land for the first time. Taking on
a mafia group to rescue two elephants from a foreign country presents a huge challenge, even for a martial arts master like Kham. Despite the help of Sergeant Mark, a Thai police Sergeant based in Australia, and Pla, a Thai girl forced into modern day slavery, the going gets tough. They must take on the ruthless gang of Madame Rose, whose henchmen include Johnny, a Vietnamese thief and martial arts expert, and the hulking TK. Kham has no choice but to risk his own life for the animals he loves.
It's silly, at times laughable, sure, but Jaa has a reckless, bone-cracking grace that transcends the film's triviality. For fight fans, he's worth the price of admission.
If you like you martial arts action tough, gritty and fast, Tony Jaa is your artist, as he proved on his debut with Ong Bak (2003). This is Muay Thai, a form of aggressive martial arts that makes the others look tame.
Moments later, we're in a muddy river enjoying the exact sort of cathartic speedboat chase that this summer's somber Miami Vice really should have had.
A much hyped fight film from Muay Thai expert Tony Jaa with many many excellent stunts and chase sequences, the only problem is we have now seen all this before from various other martial arts experts.The film itself is fine but its not really too original in any aspect, a simple revenge plot as usual and Jaa showing
his skills yet again. Its very spectacular but I personally didn't get too engrossed, the most impressive thing about the whole film is the MMA fight sequences, mainly the fight between Jaa and Capoeira fighter Lateef Crowder.This one fight sequence is the most impressive fight I've seen in years, its fantastic, Crowder is amazing and almost too good to be true with his moves. Add to this the following fight between Wushu expert John Foo and then a one off battle against wrestling strong man Nathan Jones which is impressive merely to see the size differences, think Bruce Lee v Kareem Abdul Jabbar.To be honest the film is worth seeing for those three fights, apart from that its business as usual with this action film.
The story and script are weak, and the acting is pretty wooden, but then again, those are not the reasons to see this. This film about a man tasked with protecting elephants who goes off to save a pair of them from an international crime syndicate feels less like a movie and more like an excuse to show off some crazy
stunts and awesome fight scenes.
That's okay with me. Against my better judgment I'm giving this film a mild recommendation because...damn..what this film gets right, it gets it right in spades. Going for the Jackie Chan style of doing everything practically and with no CGI, the action in this movie is balls to the wall incredible. The highlight, for me is a masterfully executed long take in which Jaa's character fights his way up several flights of stairs in order to confront one of the villains in a restaurant. The choreography and sets are one thing, but the fact that it was done as an unbroken long take just really takes the cake as far as impressiveness is concerned.
Aside from the action, this is just a blah and predictable movie. It's enjoyable, but could have been great if everything was as strong as the fights and stunts.
September 7, 2006
Chris Weber
Super Reviewer
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