Ong-Bak (2004)

Jam-packed with crazy stunts & insane action choreography, and introducing Tony Jaa as the next major martial arts star after Bruce Lee & Jackie Chan, Ong-bak (also known as Ong-bak: Muay Thai Warrior or simply The Thai Warrior) is more an exhibition of the famous combat style than anything else, for the story it packs in is barely serviceable.The story of Ong-bak follows a young martial artist who journeys to Bangkok to retrieve an artefact that was stolen from his village by some thieves. Enlisting the help of his cousin who already lives in the big city, he attempts to track down the thieves but finds himself delving deeper into the Thai underworld and has to rely on his combat skills to defeat his adversaries.Co-written & directed by Prachya Pinkaew, the plot is paper thin yet many of the storytelling shortcomings are brushed away by the acrobatics & martial arts on display here as every action scene is violent yet fascinating to watch. However, it is also overdone, as evident in the different angles employed to capture the same stunt multiple times throughout the movie.The absence of CGI & wire fu is a welcome element, providing its practical stunts & action choreography an authentic & realistic touch that most martial arts films tend to lack. It isn't just the face-offs that's thrilling to watch but also the chases that the film has in store. The plot outline is a simple one, dialogues aren't good at all, and yet it is a mostly entertaining ride.Tony Jaa is what makes Ong-bak so refreshing on so many levels. His acting may not be up to the mark but watching him destroy his opponents with the combat skills, speed & athleticism he has in his arsenal is an absolute delight. There are a few moments the story could've done without but majority of its action segments carry zero complaints. The background score however is a total letdown.On an overall scale, Ong-bak brings ancient Muay Thai to mainstream cinema in a truly memorable fashion and is one of the finest martial arts films in existence. Its shortcomings are plenty yet for every action aficionado, it is going to be a mostly satisfying cinematic experience. Announcing the arrival of a new martial arts star in grand style and keeping its combat style well within the realms of physics, this Thai classic is a must for every action film fanatic out there.

(75%) A hugely enjoyable all-action thrill ride that really does resemble Jet Li, Bruce Lee, and Jackie Chan movies. Tony Jaa may have very little to do in terms of actual acting, but without doubt this guy can fight. I have never seen so many people getting elbowed or kneed full force in the head or face. While every single fight is bone-crunchingly real looking, and I can only imagine how many performers got bruised and injured. The plot is 1980's video-game style simple, and if the Street fighter movie was even a little like this then it would have been a huge improvement. In all honesty I can't find any real substantial issue here, it's funny, deeply enjoyable, well-shot, exciting, and even through it's as deep as spilt milk, I'd still recommend this to anyone wanting a sharp jolt of fighting fun.

Ong-Bak is a sacred Buddha statute. Don is a dealer from Bangkok who steals the head. Ting (Tony Jaa) volunteers to bring back the idol for the desperate village. In the city, he finds George who keeps denying to be Humlae the son of a villager. George steals all of Ting's money from the villagers to bet on fights. Ting accidentally gets into an underground fight and takes down the champion. When George gets in trouble with thugs, he and Muay Lek are beaten up and are rescued by Ting. When they go back to the fight club, Ting is forced to fight against three consecutive opponents. In the end, he wins all the fights, wins the affections of the crowd, and finds Don who works for the evil Komtuan.There is a chase in the street about 30 minutes in. It is amazing. It is fun. It is hilarious. There are a lot of good hard fights. The story really serves to highlight the action and there is a lot of it. One thing is certain. Tony Jaa is an amazing acrobatic fighter.

right its not a good film its decent. story's very well suited and the elements of Thai culture is pretty good the style mauy Thai is a fun martial art and tony jaa uses it good against a crime syndicate. The film is directed standardly with the budget that is not very good. highlights are the fight scenes and the fun music but at the level of dull altogether i think that to be a perfect martial art film it needs style but ong bak produces pretty annoying xharacters my resting. whatever.the other ong bak films are worse and the one that came out this year is not liked by many. warrior king was dull and i didn't like it much. once I've seen warrior king 2 il review it.