Ong-Bak was the subject of a bit of an obsession from my husband back when it was first released. He made me see it twice at the cinema (we were the only ones there both times), then bought the DVD immediately on release, making me watch it about a zillion times since. Basically, I know the film very, very well at this point, and while I always loved it, I've now developed a fondness for it which goes past rational thought (it's a bit like my adoration for 13 Going on 30 and Sweet Home Alabama. I know I shouldn't love them as much as I do, but dammit, I don't care). I thought it would be fun, therefore, to post the review that I wrote after my very first viewing; a time when I genuinely believed that Tony Jaa was on the verge of becoming a worldwide superstar (HE SHOULD BE), and when I could see the film's flaws as actual problems, rather than just reasons to love it all the more. The review, written when I was 21, is cute in a crap sort of way-I'm not entirely sure, for example, why I wrote it in such a professional manner when it was written for a very small diary site-and I think it gets across most of what makes the film so great (though the lack of any mention for the glorious 'Knives for sale!' scene worries me to my core). So, enjoy.
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Make way…for a legend may have just been born. After a two year wait, the UK has finally been given the privilige of seeing Ong-Bak; or, more importantly its star and choreographer, Tony Jaa. And the hype may not have been in vain, for it is very possible that we may be faced with the new Bruce Lee…or rather the new brand of Bruce Lee. For, rather than the traditional kung-fu we are used to seeing, Jaa is trained in the relatively secret art of Muay-Thai-a form of kickboxing which is completely raw, and insanely incredible to watch.
And just to add to the excitement…it's all real. No strings, no CGI, no tricks of any kind. The punches connect, the elbows connect and the kicks connect. The kicks by the legs smothered in flames connect, too. Still not up for it? Away from the fighting side, Jaa is just as superb in his pure athleticism. One of the major highlights (of many, it has to be said) comes from a street chase, in which Ting has to overcome a ring of barbed wire, many cars, a sheet of double glazed glass, and pretty much any other obstacle you can think of. At times it seems more like he's flying than jumping, or gliding rather than running. The chase on an unfinished road featuring Jaa on the run from twenty Thai taxis? Well, that's prett handy too. And just to add to the fun, the audience is treated to multiple replays from every angle; as if to allow you to comprehend what you just saw.
But if you're thinking it all sounds just a little too good to be true? Well, ever so slightly, it is. It is blindingly obvious that the film was set up as a showpiece for its star rather than something to stand on its own. The story is as weak as you're likely to find this year, and subplots are either forgotten about midway through, or given far too little time to have any kind of real impact. The villains too, have to be some of the most two dimensional ever created -considering the extremes they are willing to go to, it isn't surprising that days later, you'll still probably be wondering just whhat motives they had for their behaviour. The direction too can be a problem; with dodgy angles and shaky camerawork, Spielberg this is not. It's really not like it matters all that much though because when Jaa is in full flight, that is all you'll care about. Well, that, and his chubby sidekick cousin who manages to provide the laughs amongst the action. That he manages to even create a dint in the memory is a credit to him, considering his co-star.
But back to that star. If you think all of the highlights have already been covered, then how about you spread your mind over the thought of twenty minutes of constant action featuring a full-on fighting mode Jaa, and three unique opponents (one of whom happens to be pretty handy with a fridge) in a Bangkok fight club? No doubt, it's twenty minutes that would justify the entry price standing alone. What also holds no doubt, is that Tony Jaa genuinely could become one of the legends of cinema, in much the same way Mr. Lee did. Just make sure you catch him at the very beginning.
(I'd advise you to watch the whole scene, but if you can't be bothered: 2:15…'knives for sale!'. Don't say I don't give you anything)
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