Review of Ong Bak 2 (2008) by Hardy H — 31 Dec 2010

Not good, not good at all.

I understand the desire to take it to the next level and I dont know myself how one can go about doing that in a true martial art film, but this just doesn't work. (perhaps Ang Lee got it right with Hidden Dragon. but that is a drama film with beautiful action sequences and solid acting, so perhaps to start with martial artists is just not the right move).

First, you dont get credit for simply adding more close up shots and slow motions of faces and random things. There is really nothing to the story, which is fine, but it took forever to get through a back story that could be told in 10 mins of screen time. I have to say it was painfully slow and that's a really bad thing for any action film.

Second, just cause you bought a new wide-angle lense doesn't mean you got to use it every 30 secs. The action sequences are not as impressive and fluid. And Tony Jaa has no business doing some other styles. Why are there sumarais in this film?

Lastly, the action is simply not as impressive as Ong Bak or the protector. Almost no wow moments here. As a causal martial art fan, this is really disappointing.