- Photos:
-
- Running time:
- 97 minutes
- Rated:
- R
- Cast:
- Tony Jaa -
- Tiang
- Sorapong Chatree -
- Chernang
- Primorata Dejudom -
- Pim
- Santisuk Promsiri -
- Lord Sihadecho
- Pattama Panthong -
- Lady Plai
(0 ratings)
Tien (Tony Jaa) is the son of a murdered nobleman in ancient Thailand. He grows up studying a wide range of martial arts with the goal of becoming the ultimate fighting machine to avenge his father’s death. Sound flimsy and familiar? That’s because the movie’s really just an excuse to showcase as many different martial arts styles as Jaa can possibly cram into one movie.
The buzz: Although he’s mostly a cult figure in the U.S., Jaa is a major superstar back home in Thailand. His films “Ong Bak: The Thai Warrior” and “The Protector” were both massive hits that established Jaa’s stunning skills as a martial artist. In an effort to up the ante for his latest project, Jaa created a new martial arts style that fuses dancing and fighting, dubbed “Natayuth.” He also serves as co-director for the first time and receives additional credits for action director, action choreographer, producer and story.
The verdict: The first “Ong Bak” was a scrappy street fighter flick that left little doubt as to just how badass Jaa’s fight skills are. This narratively unrelated prequel goes back several hundred years to explore myths and mysticism on a grander scale with production values to match. Jaa runs atop elephants, fends off dozens of attackers at once and a younger version of his character battles a crocodile. The set pieces are cool enough, but the movie has little to no regard for coherence or character, and lacks the momentum that kept the original “Ong Bak” racing along. The goal of “Ong Bak 2” was to make something bigger and better. They only succeeded with the first half.
Did you know? The movie was plagued by financial problems before and after filming and Jaa shut down production by “disappearing” from the set for several months, which—depending on who you ask—either resulted in or was caused by a financing dispute.
["Ong Bak 2: The Beginning" is also available from Magnolia's on demand service through select cable companies, Xbox Live and Amazon.com.]
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