Ong Bak

Year: 2003
Genre: Action
Director: Prachya Pinkaew


Plot: When a sacred Buddha statue's head is stolen from a village temple, a village youth named Ting volunteers to travel to the city and get it back.


The gist: Before there was The Raid, there was Ong Bak. Thai action star Tony Jaa made waves with this first film in the Ong Bak series, featuring the Muay Thai fighting style in all its glory.

Director Prachya Pinkaew and co-writer Panna Rittikrai (who passed away recently) who also served as stunt coordinator, have come up with an action masterpiece which stands the test of time.

While the story isn't really strong and Jaa's acting isn't too solid, it's not a big deal as Jaa easily wins the audience's support by playing the country bumpkin who is forced to go into the underworld of Bangkok, a world he is unfamiliar with, and fight his way to the Buddha head he has to retrieve.

Credit goes to the film crew and stunt guys who make all the action pieces stand out. Notably, Jaa did all his own stunts.


The good: All the fight sequences were great and well choreographed. Even the chase sequence involving tuk tuk cars was well executed. Petchtai Wongkamlao plays Ting's ally George with enough humor to make him quite likable.

The bad: There is a slight overusage of slow motion and instant replays during the action sequences. But it's not a big deal.


Verdict: One of the best action flicks out there. Recommended. (4/5)