Set in the lush green jungles of Thailand, we'd expect the 1080p/VC-1 encoded transfer of 'Ong Bak 2' to be a brilliantly saturated, fully rendered Blu-ray experience. In that area the movie doesn't disappoint one bit. You're interested in watching it because it promises some fantastic fighting sequences. Let's face it though you're not watching 'Ong Bak 2' for the in depth plot, or its spiritual undertones. The unoriginality of the screenplay holds it back from being a real winner. The film, in general, is very generic, even featuring the patented Martial Arts Learning Montage. Jaa and Rittikrai pull the camera back, and hold it still so we can fully observe and appreciate the violent dance. Too often nowadays we are assaulted by the shaky-cam effect during stunningly choreographed action pieces (see: 'Quantum of Solace').
Jaa and Panna Rittikrai co-directed 'Ong Bak 2' and they should be commended in the purposeful framing of each extended fight scene. Something else to marvel at during this film is the fact that the cameraman had the presence of mind to successfully hold the camera still during the action scenes. When Jaa flips around after being assaulted and lands sideways across the elephant's tusks, you may have to pick your jaw up off the floor. The amount of room for error is paper thin. Both fighters jump, run, and roll on the elephant as though it was flat ground. There's a scene where Jaa and his attacker fight atop an elephant that Jaa's character has tamed earlier in the film. Jaa performs moves and stunts without the help of CG or wires, which is amazing in its own right. Tony Jaa is a master at his craft, giving us flashes of what Jackie Chan could do in his younger days, only (a lot) meaner. What's fun to watch is how he gets to that point by punching, kicking, and slashing his way through hordes of enemies.įeaturing nothing new in the plot department, 'Ong Bak 2' instead stuns with the sheer choreographed brilliance of its action scenes. We all know at some point in the film Tien is going to exact revenge on the people who betrayed and killed his father. Tien is taken under their wing to be trained in the ways of the martial arts. The camp is attacked and seized by a band of rebels. Thrown into the bushes, Tien is soon picked up by slave traders and brought to a camp in the forest where he is forced to fight with a crocodile in a muddy pit. Tien is rescued by one of the men loyal to his father, but the man is soon killed trying to help Tien escape. Tien watched his father, the king, killed by a traitor when he was a child.
Now that you've seen the type of stuff Jaa is capable of you're ready to experience 'Ong Bak 2.' The best martial arts films are usually deep and soulful experiences ( 'Fearless') or brilliantly choreographed slugfests. If you've never seen martial arts master Tony Jaa in action check out this clip, then return to the review.
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