In the realm of fresh martial arts movie stars, no one holds a candle to Tony Jaa.
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04/22/09
The Protector (2006)
54 %
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted: 92
Fresh: 50
Rotten:42
Average Rating: 5.5/10
Consensus: 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.
Theatrical Release:Sep 8, 2006 Wide
Box Office: $11,905,519
Synopsis: THE PROTECTOR is the highly anticipated full bodied action film starring International Martial Arts superstar, Tony Jaa (Ong Bak). His world shaped by ancient traditions, a young Thai fighter... [More]
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Reviews for The Protector
You have to wonder why they even bothered with the subtitles. It's not like they make much difference.
03/20/09
Bone-crunching action triumphs over story and, uh, character development.
01/13/09
Top CriticClick to read the article
08/07/08
a no-brainer, but also an extravaganza of inventive, visually stunning brutality (by the trunkload).
08/16/07
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.
08/11/07
If a video game allowed you to do what Tony Jaa does, it would be the bestselling video game in history.
08/03/07
It's tremendously refreshing to see a film that relies solely on the choreography of its athletic star to make the action work.
03/24/07
Resurrects the bad acting and absurd plotting of old-fashioned kung fu movies, as well as their exhilarating stunts and action choreography.
03/01/07
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01/20/07
Pretty tough to sit through.
12/15/06
Top CriticExactly like an elephant, mostly slow and lumbering -- but with great menacing charges of excitement.
12/15/06
Top CriticThe Protector's plot is as sturdy as a piece of balsa wood, which wouldn't have mattered so much if the film had showcased Jaa's talents better.
10/12/06
Four screenwriters get credit for the bottom-feeder script.
09/30/06
It plays like a bad B-movie where we suddenly leave an ongoing conversation to join a fight in progress.
09/27/06
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09/23/06
Top CriticJaa's ingratiatingly ridiculous Protector delivers a steady stream of cheap B-movie thrills, plus two positive messages for young people: Be nice to animals, and when in doubt, always aim for the tendons.
09/23/06
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09/23/06
Top CriticBy the end you're so invigorated that narrative issues seem like an afterthought.
09/23/06
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.
09/23/06
Top CriticLatest News for The Protector
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