No computer graphics. No stunt doubles. No contest.
Ong Bak refers to a Buddha statue kept in the Nong Pra-du temple in rural Thailand. It dates from the time of the Thai/Burmese war, 200 years ago. The villagers believe Ong Bak is imbued with magical powers that will keep them safe from harm.
One dark night, a former native of the village, Don (Wannakit Siriput), has his men cut the head of the statute to win favour with ruthless crime boss Khom Tuan (Suchao Pongwilai). The locals regard the theft as a catastrophe, and seek a champion to retrieve their lost treasure. They find their man in Ting (Phanom "Tony Jaa" Yeerum), an orphaned youngster raised at the local temple, and schooled by Pra Kru, a kindly monk, in an ancient system of Muay Thai: "Nine Body Weapons".
Ting travels to the mean streets of Bangkok, where he finds that the head of Ong Bak is in the possession of a local gang boss, Khom Tuan. Ting meets another native of Nong Pra-du, George (Petchtai Wongkamlao), and a street waif, Muay Lek (Pumwaree Yodkamol. He enlists their help in his quest. The ensuing adventures sees our heroes engage in fist-fights, running street battles and an intricate chase sequence featuring tuk-tuks, the famous three-wheeled Thai taxis.
To recover the Buddha head, Ting is forced to compete in illegal street fights, taking on both local and foreign opponents. His superior skills make him a natural champion, and he even agrees to throw a fight with Burmese boxer Saming (Chatthapong Pantanaunkul) when he's promised the return of Ong Bak.
In the end, Khom Tuan betrays Ting, leading to a final encounter in a cave situated on the border between Thailand and Burma. Ting is forced to use every ounce of his courage and stamina in a final martial arts battle of truly epic proportions.
Special Agent Matti
Ong Bak: Muay Thai warrior is way out there: equal parts David Carradine and Jackie Chan with a little Jet Li thrown in for good measure. It is sometimes a little ostentatious but that is standard for a millennial martial arts movie (see Kill Bill). The tale of the farmboy who goes in search of evil to conquer and great deeds to accomplish is a cliché in story-telling (see Star wars IV: a new hope) but you'll let them get away with it because there's some good Muay Thai. Tony Jaa's Ting has all the moody mystique of David Carradine's Kwai Chang Caine and all the intensity of Bruce Lee. Some of his moves aren't just good, they are beautiful. You will finally understand the meaning of "poetry in motion". Enjoy.
MA 15+ (Medium level violence, drug use)
108 minutes (1:48 hours)
Film: 10 March 2005
DVD rental: 24 August 2005
VHS rental: 24 August 2005
