Ong Bak 3

Can anyone tell me what is actually going on in this film??

Firstly, and this is key, the fight sequences are top notch and I come to expect nothing less from Tony Jaa. Having seen the prequels to this film (Ong Bak in particular is fantastic) and Warrior King this doesn't quite live up to first Ong Bak but it has a good go. There is no question that Jaa's physical prowess is phenomenal, a serious Jackie Chan if you will. Jaa's directorial style in places is snappy with some interesting tricks. Lots of long tracking shots in the fights really help to prove that there are no Wires, CGI and certainly no stunt men.

Secondly, and this is the problem, the film is a classic case of style over content. The storyline has more holes than a string vest and what bits you can understand are silly, out of context and flat out odd. I have watched this twice and I feel no more clued up. Can anyone explain the man with the wicker basket on his head?

To sum up - this is one of those films that you will want to fast forward until there is a fight which means it will take you about 20 minutes in total to watch this film. Great fighting but not much else.

If you want to watch a fantastic martial arts film in the last 5 years then when you have skipped to the fights in this, go out and get yourself RAID and RAID 2: Berandal, then you will have to opportunity to watch two modern classics of the martial arts era!!