Tom yum goong(Dave's "Elephant Movie")

[RoadWarriorYajuta]

This friggin movie was the bomb. I would certainly say that the mantle of martial arts megastar has been passed to Tony Jaa. The action was top notch. I really liked the contrast of styles and agree with Dave, this was more about intense action and furthering the story as opposed to Ong Bak. That movie, which I love served more as a coming out party for Jaa and seemed more geared to let Tony shows his stuff and in this one, Jaa got to do his thing, but it wasn't the focal point as the action did more than just show what a bad ass Jaa and his stunt abilities are. Nathan Jones was pretty good as the steroidal monster, if he had shown that much passion as a wrestler he'd have been awesome. Bongkoj Khongmalai has got to be one of prettier actresses to come along in quite awhile. She appears headed towards a long career. Petchtai Wongkamlao was so much more likeable in this film as Officer Mark than he was in Ong Bak. He did a good job in this one. Johnny Nguyen played a good sleezeball. One thing I like about Jaa's films is being exposed to Tahi culture. We have all been exposed to Chinese and Japanese culture and traditions through Martial Arts flicks, seems nice to let Thailand be represented as well. Thanks Megs, as my Brother In Law said while watching this with me, this movie is off the chain. He also said Jaa was more raw than sushi. Kind of fun to turn people onto stuff they might not otherwise watch.

[Xenorama ™]

my pleasure- this is now or will be soon in theaters as THE PROTECTOR, never mind that Jackie Chan film of the same name. in a sense, it's fitting, since Tony has that same Jackie vibe to him, when Jackie was doing insane stunts and all.

[Shonokin]

I thought you were talking about a dish at a Thai restaurant. The movie looks pretty good... actually looks a lot better than the stuff Jackie and Jet Li have been churning out the past several years. Though I did like Black Mask pretty well in a pulpy low-grade sci fi sorta way.

Will have to sneak in a viewing of this if it comes to a theater nearby.

[hman]

Finally got around to watching the key fight scenes from this movie. The fights were indeed better than those in Ong Bak (which I've also just seen recently), with a lot more variation in styles, creativity in set-up, and better overall opponents. I still think that the choreography needs to be a more intricate than it was in these last three Thai movies that I've watched; there's more to a fight than the cool aerial kicks. Also, I think the bone breaking fight, as painful as it was to watch, was a bit silly; Steven Seagal did a better a job of making his multiple bone breaking look realistic. But Tony Jaa shows a LOT of promise for the future. Good luck to him.

[Xenorama ™]

it would help Tony to take some acting lessons, since both Jet and Jackie had that background included in their upbringing. the long shot with all the fighting up the stairs, with no cuts (or at least hidden cuts) is pretty amazing.

[RoadWarriorYajuta]

I still love this freakin movie. Off the chain and I can't wait for Jaa's next one to come out.

[hman]

I don't mean to bash the film or Tony Jaa. He's an awesome athlete/gymnast/fighter. I think he needs a better choreographer to put his abilities into better context. Also, he needs just a little injection of charisma, or at least a script that requires him to talk and express himself more. Jet Li never had much dynamic range: he was either a stoic and righteous hero or a slightly light-hearted and righteous hero. But he always had a bit of charisma.

[RoadWarriorYajuta]

I'll give you that. I think part of the problem is he seems to play backwoods country boys. He plays a secret agent in his next flick and I am hoping him being a totally different type of character will allow him to show more range. I will say his acting was light years better in Protector than it was in Ong Bok.