Review of Ong Bak 2 (2008) by Dwain P — 25 Sep 2009
"Ong Bak 2" is a rare sequel, indeed. It's a sequel that has absolutely nothing to do with the first movie. It's set in the 15th century and follows a young noble, Tien, as he seeks revenge for his parents' deaths at the hands of a renegade warlord.
Tien is saved from certain death by a loyal retainer who is, in turn, murdered and Tien is sold into slavery. He is rescued and ultimately ends up being raised by Chernang, a powerful bandit, who conveniently trains our hero in martial arts and weaponry.
The fight sequences in this film are incredible. Thai practical effects in action movies are better than anything you will see in CGI and Tony Jaa is a magnificant performer. He's not as good as a director, though.
Some of the shots are badly composed and action happens partially out of frame. The story will also disappoint western audiences. Its ending comes rather abruptly and, if you are not a Buddhist or a product of Buddhist culture, Tien's fate may well ruin the movie for you.
But who can really hate a movie in which Tony Jaa uses an ELEPHANT as a prop in a fight sequence (including one of the coolest things you'll see this year: Tien runs up a living elephant's trunk and backflips off the elephant to land a perfect Pele kick to an extra's head!)?
This review of Ong Bak 2 (2008) was written by Dwain P on 25 Sep 2009.
Ong Bak 2 has generally received mixed reviews.
Was this review helpful?
