Check your local On Demand listings; via Comcast, I watched the new Ong Bak 2, now opening in theaters nationwide. Read Lisa Schwarzbaum’s review of it here.
As a big fan of the first Ong Bak, from 2003, I remain in awe of Tony Jaa’s stunning fight-work and choreography. His use of his elbows and knees as frequently as his fists and feet create a bone-crunching believability to his in-close fighting, even as his daring leaps in long-shot have a touch of Buster Keaton-style comedy, elegance, and danger.
Unfortunately, Ong Bak 2 takes place hundreds of years before Ong Bak and is weighed down with a soggy (literally — almost every scene seems to take place in a rainy forest or jungle clearing) plot about a boy growing to be a warrior. And as in all Tony Jaa movies, a lover of elephants:
Me, I like Jaa in a contemporary setting. I would much rather see him dispatching villains in a neon-lit convenience store than in a Thai forest. But I’ll take the forest if it gives me moments like this:
What do you think of Tony Jaa? Will you see Ong Bak 2?
Tony Jaa is NOT a martial artist. He was a gymnast/dancer and was giving training before Ong Bak was made. There are several actual martial artists out there who deserve recognition.
He’s been studying Muy Tai since a child. Therefore he is a Martial Artist.
Will I see it?? Hell to the YEAH!!! Ong Bak was ON POINT!!!! Tony Jaa is freaking awesome!
I couldn’t believe my eyes, I was enthralled by the beauty of his physique and the grace of his movements. The choreography was so clearly thought out and nimbly executed that the whole time watching him I was thinking: This actor must have been a dancer!
I saw the movie a few days ago on cable tv. I will look for Ong Bak’s other movies.
Tony Jaa is too well over hyped, he is doing nothing that has not been seen or done better in the Hong Kong movie by Jackie Chan or Sammo Hung. Don’t compare him to Buster Keaton, he is nothing like him. The world has gone mad.
Cam…shut up:/
Tony Jaa is a martial artist and the best right now!
The person following is Uwais Iko.
This movie is the best. I don’t know why people just don’t understand the story. The story is about someone who started using the killing martial arts, if the movie was done which was only 67% done, it would explain how Ting from Ong Bak was related or connected to Tien from Ong Bak 2.
Tony Jaa is bringing back real fighting. No CGI, No wires, No stuntdoubles. What you see is 100% Tony!
kie teg movie, very shit and no sense at all.
Ong BAK 2 is shit… watch bangkok adrenaline much better then ong bak 2 FUCK U BITCHES!
interesting
I think Tony Jaa is alot better than any martial artist out their!!
This is so shoking