Martial Arts Movie Junkie » Movie Reviews

17th May2013

King Boxer Review

by kmiller

Background Info

Known as the film that started the “kung fu craze” in the US, The Five Fingers of Death (or King Boxer) has a huge reputation and following behind it. The film stars Lieh Lo, a superstar that precedes Bruce Lee. While typically cast as the villain in films, Lo plays a good guy who is faced with fighting several different foes. With director Chang-hwa Jeong behind the lens, does this film have all of the necessary elements to be a successful film?

King Boxer Trailer

Story/Characters

The story to King Boxer is a simple one, but one that’s told in a respectable manner. The main character, Chao Chih-Hao experiences several different events that change his path during the course of the film. There are several different threads that are dangled in front of the viewer, but they all tie together nicely and there aren’t any real loose ends to speak of. The only thing that seemed odd was the passage of time. One character would say that a year had passed while others mentioned that they had seen Chih-Hao a few days ago. Then again, this could be translation error or people’s differing ways of telling time.

The characters themselves don’t fare as well as the story does. Chih-Hao, in particular, seems to fluctuate between silent nobody to hardened killer too often. Characters in the film seem to change based on the needs of the story, such as when one villain lets someone live only to kill them in the following scenes. Touching back on the passage of time, there are several instances where fighter become masters too quickly to be logical. Things like being a fighter after losing eyesight on the same day and healing broken hands in just a month. I know I’m being picky, but it does detract from the overall experience.

Action/Choreography

It’s interesting to see how far along martial arts films have come. By today’s standards, the action is passable, but nothing amazing. There is a lot of aerial action and doubling for falls, which seems out of place, but the hand to hand combat is at least solid. I find it humorous that throws and jump kicks are the most devastating attacks, but that’s just being nitpicky. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that this film inspired a lot of the aerial fights that we see nowadays in action films, either. King Boxer is not a fast paced fight-fest, but it’s something that should be appreciated nonetheless.

Own it, Watch it, Try it, or Skip it?

It’s hard for me to recommend King Boxer to those that haven’t seen it. It’s apparent that nostalgia plays a HUGE role in how much people will like this film. I didn’t enjoy this film as much as I have other Shaw Bros. films, but I can respect the roots of martial arts cinema. If you are curious about the evolution of fighting and storytelling, give it a look. If you don’t consider yourself a hardcore fan, I think you can pass this one by and be ok.

Try it

King Boxer DVD (US Verion)

Category : Movie Reviews

Tags : Chang-hwa Jeong, Five Fingers of Death, King Boxer, Lieh Lo, Movie Review

0 Comm

10th May2013

The Assassin’s Blade Review

by kmiller

Background Info

Director Jingle Ma combines love with action in the the Assassin’s Blade. Also known as Butterfly Lovers, the film stars Charlene Choi, Chun Wu, and Ge Hu. With a cameo from Fan Siu Wong and action choreography from Hero’s Siu-Tung Ching, were all of the pieces put in place for a solid action film that everyone could enjoy?

The Assassin’s Blade Trailer

Story/Characters

I’ll go ahead and get this started right off of the bat, I absolutely did not like the characters in this film, especially Charlene Choi. She’s played the “cutesy” character before, but I don’t think it’s ever felt as grating as is does here. She clearly isn’t even trying to pretend to be a man, and her actions would make anyone question her gender. What kind of fella paints butterflies on a big brother’s sword? I guess the guys must have been really dull or turning a blind eye, but I felt like the aspect was very throwaway and shouldn’t have even been in there. The other characters were pretty bland as well, which is especially bad if you want people to care about any love story.

The story itself isn’t bad, but it’s been done to death…literally. There is nothing new here, and it’s really apparent that a lot of thought didn’t go into the story. While the ending ends on a somewhat sweet note (if you’d call it that) it’s not worth sitting through the entire film. A lot of the plot is left unexplained and takes large leaps in logic to even acknowledge. People don’t act realistically and the movie seems to be just going through the motions. However, it felt like a drag even with the moderately-short 1 hour and 45 minute run time.

Action/Choreography

Most people won’t care about the story at all as long as the fights are good. Given the fact that this is the action director for Hero and House of Flying Daggers, it’s easy to set the bar high. Don’t do it. The fights are very sparse and have no weight to them. Groups of soldiers will sit there and wait with their weapons drawn as their leader gets stabbed, and still not act! Characters get wounded and shrug it off like it’s nothing. If you want to see Fan Siu-wong fight in the film, be prepared to feel disappointed as his whole cameo lasts a whopping 5 minutes, if that.

Own it, Watch it, Try it, or Skip it?

This look about sums it up…

The Assassin’s Blade is a movie that I had to force myself to sit though. I didn’t care about anything that was happening on the screen for even a moment. The casting seems off, the characters are bad, the story is boring, and the action can barely be called that. Regardless of why you are considering picking up this film, don’t. It’s not worth your time.

Skip it

The Assassin’s Blade Blu-ray (US Version)

The Assassin’s Blade DVD (US Version)

Butterly Lovers Blu Ray (HK Version)

Butterly Lovers DVD (HK Version)

Category : Movie Reviews

Tags : Butterfly Lovers, Charlene Choi, Fan Siu-wong, Movie Review, The Assassins' Blade

1 Comm

03rd May2013

Heroes of the East Review

by kmiller

Background Info

Still early in his career, Gordon Liu starred in Heroes of the East. The film was directed by Lau Kar-leung and provided an interesting spin on a very common subject. Gordon Liu would be forced to face several different opponents with various weapons, meaning he had to be a believable and relatable main character. This film also had Liu sport a wig to get rid of his typical “monk” image. Was there enough different in Heroes of the East to prove that Liu was more than a one-trick pony?

Heroes of the East Trailer

Story/Characters

The story to Heroes of the East is simple, yet layered at the same time. It tackles the conflict between the Japanese and the Chinese, but on a more personal level. The conflict starts out between a husband and wife, who constantly bicker back and forth, but branches out into something bigger. However, I felt that the first and second half of the film were too different. I wish that the movie had focused on the latter in more detail instead of just skipping forward to the fights. It would have been great to see more of the critical thinking behind the battles than watching a couple bicker for 45 minutes.

One of the biggest issues I had with Heroes of the East were the characters, especially the wife. She is illogically thickheaded and doesn’t open up to any ideas. She’s nationalistic to a fault, which is probably what the makers were going for. That being said, she somehow ends up supporting her husband when he gets trapped in a tournament against 8 masters, even helping him train. It doesn’t make sense and I couldn’t really sink into the movie because of it. It’s obvious that the Chinese martial arts and thought-process is at the forefront here, but the story is hard to follow when key characters are out of sync. Ho Tao is not perfect either, though, and some of his ideas (like how women should fight) probably won’t sit well with some people.

Action/Choreography

If you are like any big action movie fan, you’re watching Heroes of the East of the action, and you won’t be disappointed. The fights are plentiful and amazing to watch. It’s stunning to see Gordon Liu fight so many battles in one film without any repeated ideas. Yes, some concepts are better than others, but the fights are fantastic and easily worth a view. Lau Kar-leung knew what he was doing and how to make it look good on screen. This is classic kung-fu at its best.

Own it, Watch it, Try it, or Skip it?

For those that have never seen it, Heroes of the East will be a good action movie with some interesting themes mixed in. It’s easy to see why it’s so highly regarded, but a few speed bumps keep this movie from being truly magnificent. If you only care about fights, buy this movie without any hesitation. However, if small things like plot and character development pick at your brain like they do mine, I suggest watching it and seeing what the hype is about. It’s still a good film and a shame to miss out on, but your enjoyment will be based on what your expectations are.

Watch it

Heroes of the East DVD (US Version)

Category : Movie Reviews

Tags : Gordon Liu, Heroes of the East, Lau Kar-Leung

1 Comm

26th Apr2013

Shanghai Knights Review

by kmiller

Background Info

After the success of Rush Hour 2, Jackie teamed up with his other movie screen partner for a second attempt at winning Hollywood audiences over. Shanghai Knights brought Owen Wilson back into the mix and sent the pair to England, where they would both be fish out of water. Given the close proximity in both story and release, Shanghai Knights had a lot going against it, but would the action and charm win everyone over?

Shanghai Knights Trailer

Story/Characters

The story for Shanghai Knights is pretty simple, yet deep enough to remain interesting. It gives Jackie’s character a certain level of depth that he didn’t have in the previous film while expanding on the relationship between him and Roy. The only thing that really isn’t too great is the sense of danger from the villain. Rathbone is not a threatening being, and it’s apparent he’s just there to move the story along. However, there are several great nods to British culture in the film, proving that a lot of thought went into how the story moves along.

One of the best things about Shanghai Knights is the characters. Everyone has a certain charm to them, and even the little rascal Charlie is likeable. Of course, the main stars have the best moments, and Owen Wilson’s comedic timing for this film is easily one of the highlights. It’s easy to see that Jackie isn’t as comfortable with the comedy of the film, but he has a better opportunity to show his funny side in ways that the Rush Hour franchise didn’t.

Action/Choreography

While the comedy is top-notch, the action isn’t taking a back seat either. Every fight in Shanghai Knights is creative and fun to watch. From the “Singing in the Rain” fight to the one with the Gatling gun, nothing feels retreaded. Each fight has a set scenario around it, and it appears that every possible outcome was thought out. The final battle was a little bit of a letdown, but the film is still marks above other Hollywood movies that Jackie has created.

Own it, Watch it, Try it, or Skip it?

I honestly think that Shanghai Knights is better than the original, which is a rare thing to see. The comedy is good, the fights are solid, and there are tons of cameos. In fact, it’s one of the few films where Jackie Chan and Donnie Yen face off. While Shanghai Knights didn’t get the same level of attention of success that the Rush Hour movies did, I still think this film is one that everyone should check out for originality in both action and comedy. If you haven’t given it a chance, you are missing out.

Watch it

Shanghai Knights DVD (US Version)

Shanghai Noon & Shanghai Knights: 2-Movie Collection Blu-ray (US Version)

Category : Movie Reviews

Tags : Donnie Yen, Jackie Chan, Owen Wilson, Review, Shanghai Knights

0 Comm

19th Apr2013

Forbidden Kingdom Review

by kmiller

Background Info

Jackie Chan and Jet Li are two of the biggest names in the action industry. It had been hotly debated as to who would come out on top if the two were to ever cross paths, and several attempts were made to pit the two against one another. However, no script was able to maintain the two for any period of time, and it appeared that fans would never see the two icons share the screen. Then, out of seemingly nowhere, Rob Minkoff stepped up and made it happen. While the original plan was to have an Asian-American travel back to learn about their culture and history, Chan and Li decided it would be better to have a “fish out of water” plotline. Fans were skeptical of the fact that the director of the Lion King would be helming the project and that it was a Hollywood film. Would the Forbidden Kingdom be able to overcome all odds, or is this just another Hollywood disaster?

The Forbidden Kingdom Trailer

Story/Characters

The story to the Forbidden Kingdom is a combination of typical plotlines. You have the story of the Monkey King mixed in with a kid that travels back in time. Since there’s really no great way of explaining a time slip, the story mainly relies on the tale of the Monkey King to carry it forward. For many Western audiences, it’s a good introduction to the tale, though some aspects are not explained as well. There are a few neat twists interwoven into the story, but everything mostly plays out exactly as you’d expect. The Forbidden Kingdom doesn’t break any new ground, but it treads over familiar ground with a fresh step. Of course, fans of the genre will see several nods to other films here and there as well.

Characters in the Forbidden Kingdom are varied and likeable, to a degree. Golden Sparrow talks in the third person for a reason I will never understand, but everyone has a unique characteristic to them. Come to think of it, a lot of them have really strange dialogue. It’s easy to see this group of individuals banding up together for a fun journey. Even the evil emperor is fun to watch just to see what he will do next, even if he feels like a family-friendly villain. While none of the characters are necessarily deep, they offer enough banter and personality to feel like nobody is the same. While some “actions” are questionable during the initial viewing of the film, they make sense after more of a certain character is revealed.

Action/Choreography

You know why you’re watching this movie. It’s because you want to see Jet Li and Jackie Chan exchange blows on the big screen, right? Well, you’ll get that and much, much more with the Forbidden Kingdom. You’ll be able to see Jet’s trademarks moves along with Jackie’s famous Drunken Boxing. You’ll see Yuen Woo-Ping work his magic creating exciting fight sequences and Collin Chou play the evil emperor. It’s clear that this movie was created to please fans, and it hits all of the right notes. While those looking for more than one fight between Li and Chan will be disappointed, everything is worked out creatively and is designed for repeated viewings.

Own it, Watch it, Try it, or Skip it?

If you are a fan of Jackie Chan or Jet Li, this movie is a no-brainer. However, even those that typically don’t like action films will find something to like here. Given the fact that there are a few winks to past films, it’s better to know more going in, but it’s not a deal breaker. Whether you know who Yuen Woo-Ping is or can’t tell Tiger style from Bear Style, you’ll enjoy this movie. The main turnoff would be the family-centric atmosphere of the movie, but it’s handled well and appeals to a wider audience that way. The Forbidden Kingdom is a great film that is entertaining time and time again. Fans of the genre need to have this film.

Own it

The Forbidden Kingdom Two-Disc Special Edition Blu-ray (US Version)

The Forbidden Kingdom DVD (US Version)

Just for fun, here is a great “interview” between Jackie and Jet talking about one another.

Interview

Category : Movie Reviews

Tags : Collin Chou, Crystal Liu, Forbidden Kingdom, Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Michael Angarano, Movie Review, Rob Minkoff, Yuen Woo-ping

3 Comm

12th Apr2013

Painted Skin Review

by kmiller

Background Info

After working with Wilson Yip in SPL and Flash Point, Yen teams up with director Gordon Chan for Painted Skin. This remake of the 1966 film blends action and drama together, giving Yen a chance to try something different side in the type of action that he delivers. Would audiences be accepting of this remake, or should Yen just stick to the traditional action sequences that his fans know him for?

Painted Skin Trailer

Story/Characters

Let me go ahead and say this about Painted Skin, it’s a love story. While it’s not as lovey-dovey or sappy as other films, it’s still a very prevalent aspect of the film. So much, in fact, that several key plotpoints are just cast aside after they are introduced. The story is coherent when it revolves around the relationships of the core characters, but that’s it. Don’t expect any big backstory reveal or explanation of character motivations, cause you won’t get it. If you block out those aspects, you’ll have a good love story that has some strong action woven in for good measure.

As I said with the story, there isn’t a lot of characterization other than what’s happening at the present time. Characters act irrationally sometimes, and love is pretty much the only excuse that is given for everything. This makes sense in some aspects, but leaves you scratching your head in others. Why is the demon trying so hard to win someone over using “regular” tactics anyways? Maybe I’m not that educated in Chinese folklore, but there were several aspects I couldn’t piece together in the film.

Action/Choreography

If you want a film where Donnie owns a bunch of demons, you’ll kinda get what you’re asking for. The fights are few and far between, but are pretty solid. While they aren’t the most revolutionary or breakthrough sequences, it’s really Donnie that adds that special flair to them. The demons are rightly super-powered, and some thought went into how the fights played out. Given how the story plays out, I don’t think there is any other way that the fights could have been worked in. I felt like the finale was well done, even though the more hardcore will be yearning to see more of Donnie in action.

Own it, Watch it, Try it, or Skip it?

Painted Skin is another one of those “bait and switch” type films. It clearly advertises the action over anything else, especially with Donnie, but the story is a love story through and through. While this might be an acceptable date movie to please both parties, many fans will feel like they have been duped after the credits roll. That being said, it’s not a bad movie, I just think it’s geared toward a certain audience, and the wrong one at that. If you are a huge Donnie Yen fan or are open to different genres, give the movie a try. It’s got a touching love story that will either move you or make you gag. If you’re curious about it and know what you are getting into, I think you can enjoy the film for what it is.

Try it

Painted Skin Blu-Ray (HK Version)

Painted Skin Director’s Cut DVD (HK Version)

Category : Movie Reviews

Tags : Donnie Yen, Gordon Chan, Movie Review, Painted Skin

1 Comm

05th Apr2013

The Kick Review

by kmiller

Background Info

The Kick is a joint-production between Korea and Thailand, making it the first film of its kind. In order to take full advantage of this opportunity, Ong-Bak director Prachya Pinkaew was given control over the film. He teamed up with legendary choreographer Panna Rittikrai and the Korean demo team Korean Tigers. Rittikrai served as the choreography supervisor while the Korean Tigers took advantage of their talents. Did this partnering take action films to the next level, or is it too busy twirling in the air?

The Kick Trailer

Story/Characters

As with any other Thai action film, the story is merely a placeholder for the action. It revolves around the theft of an ancient dagger, and that’s really all we know about it. There is no clear indication as to why the villains want the dagger or why it’s so easy to steal in the first place. It’s pretty evident that story was not a main focus, though I wish a little more effort was put into it because of the fact that is was a joint-production and could have benefited from it more.

On the characters side, there is nothing really bad, but nothing great either. The family is exactly like any other martial arts based family you can think of. The father is a strong leader who only wants results while the mother supports the kids in what they want to do. However, there are a few curious angles that are in the film, mainly with the aspect of dancing and the idea of revenge. The main villain has several opportunities to kill the characters, but always opts out of it for some “higher” reason. After a few of these instances, it’s really hard to accept him as a real villain and not just some static character.

Action/Choreography

Given the title of the film, you know for sure that there are going to be a lot of kicks in this film. I mean, a LOT of them. This becomes a double-edged sword because there are very few punches (or anything else) thrown in the film. The choreography is stylish and inventive at times (like fighting while talking on the phone) but can feel overdone as well. Many of the kicks are impractical and just flashy to look good. One particular sequence comes to mind where a group has encircled a fighter, but only stammer back and forth until they are all sequentially taken out one by one. While most will enjoy the action for what it is, others looking for something more than a demo reel of tricks will likely be disappointed.

Own it, Watch it, Try it, or Skip it?

Elephants…always elephants!

The Kick is a film that showcases style over substance. Like other big Thai martial arts films, it’s all about wowing the audience. In that regard, the Kick is a film that’s good, but not as great as other movies that have come out of Thailand. It feels like more of the same, and some evolution within the genre would have been great. That being said, even the most seasoned movie watcher will be impressed with the talent of the fighters and some of the fights that take place. Even though this movie won’t be knocking Ong-Bak off of the top tier, it’s a fun film that is worth a watch.

Watch it

Kick DVD (US Version)

The Kick DVD (Thai Version)

The Kick DVD (HK Version)

The Kick Blu- Ray (HK Version)

Category : Movie Reviews

Tags : Jeeja Yanin, Korean Tigers, Panna Rittikrai, Prachya Pinkaew, The Kick

1 Comm

29th Mar2013

Chinese Zodiac Review

by kmiller

Background Info

Jackie Chan returns to play the role of the Asian Hawk for the third Armour of God film. Named Chinese Zocidac, the film promised all of the signature characteristics that made Jackie Chan films so memorable. Chan also stated that the film would be his last “big action film,” making it a swan song of sorts for him as well. With so much riding on the film, would Jackie be able to deliver and satisfy fans around the world?

Chinese Zodiac Trailer

Story/Characters

The Armour of God series has always been about finding lost treasures and the adventure that follows. It’s a simple hook that can get people engaged and give writers the creativity to mix fact with folklore. While the core mystery is interesting enough for Zodiac, everything happens too conveniently. I can’t count the number of times where the characters magically “stumble” into where they were headed. It happens too often and makes the story feel rushed. There are some sub-plots in the film, but they are pretty much left alone until the end, making you forget about them early on. I personally would have rather seen the movie split up into 2 parts so that the pacing could have been more manageable.

As with any other Armour of God film, Jackie has acquires a crew throughout the film that helps him on his voyage. These characters go from tolerable to borderline annoying. JC’s personal crew is actually a pretty well-managed group. They each have their own tasks and characteristics, even if they don’t stand out that much individually. The characters that bother me are the ones the team meets on the trip. One girl won’t stop shoving national pride down everyone’s throat while another has “my great grandfather” in almost every line she speaks. I wish that these two characters were toned down so that I could sit back and enjoy the action. The villains don’t fare very well, either, since their actions primarily just fuel the next setpiece. More backstory would have been cool, but I can see why they got the short end of the stick.

Action/Choreography

Jackie did say that Zodiac was going to be his last big action film, and he satisfied his fans in some aspects. The film starts off with a bang and gets the blood pumping. Sadly, things kinda simmer down from that point. The fights are pretty good, but nothing really great happens until the last fight. I think this fight should be in a class of its own because it is so creative and well done. It reminds me of why I am a fan in the first place and how great Jackie’s choreography can be when the wheels are turning. Overall, I feel like Jackie missed the mark a little, though, since I prefer the smaller stunts to the high-scale big ones. It’s the sense of him being in danger that makes his stunts so memorable, and this film might have been too ambitious to compete with Hollywood. That being said, you gotta give the man props for doing what he does at the age of 58.

Own it, Watch it, Try it, or Skip it?

So, here comes the big question. How does it all stack up? Chinese Zodiac is a decent film, but not one of Jackie’s best. Jackie knows that his body isn’t what is used to be and that it won’t hold up, so it’s really not fair to compare. However, that doesn’t forgive the story and characters for being so bad. Most will be put off by these two elements before they get to see Jackie’s real creativity shine. As a fan, I say the film is worth a try just to see a few of the better fights and sequences, especially for those that haven’t seen a “Jackie Chan” film. Of course, there are other films that can be used to show them the same thing. It’s clear that nobody can do what Chan does, and I think it’s worth a try just to see that the man still has the passion to put himself out there for the sake of his fans.

Try it

Chinese Zodiac 2D+3D Blu Ray (HK Version)

Chinese Zodiac 2D Blu Ray (HK Version)

Chinese Zodiac DVD (HK Version)

Category : Movie Reviews

Tags : Chinese Zodiac, Jackie Chan, Movie Review

0 Comm

22nd Mar2013

American Ninja Review

by kmiller

Background Info

Michael Dudikoff stars in a new movie that features him as a ninja who has a mysterious past. With no actual martial arts training, there was a very big hurdle for the cast to overcome. Would director Sam Firstenberg be able to create something unique and compelling that stands the test of time?

American Ninja Trailer

Story/Characters

The story to American Ninja is pretty basic, but interesting at the same time. There is a certain air of mystery around the main character, and it keeps things simple while keeping the viewer invested in the story. While most of the “twists” can be seen by anyone who regularly watches films, it’s done well enough that you probably won’t mind. The story is clearly not a strongpoint, but it is sufficient enough.

The characters for the film don’t fare as well. A lot of them are pretty badly done, to be honest. I don’t understand why so many people have a grudge against Joe, and others befriend him way too quickly. The villains don’t do much better, either, as they are really bad at being evil killers. I can give the movie some slack because it’s not really about the characters, but it’s hard to care about some of the events because so few characters are likeable. That being said, Dudikoff plays his role very well and was the only one I really enjoyed seeing on the screen.

Action/Choreography

I enjoyed watching the action sequences in this film, even if they were on the short side. It’s clear that some people weren’t hired for their fighting ability, but everyone does a decent job. Some of the stunt guys really pulled their weight while others seemed to be just hire on. Overall, the fighting is acceptable and enjoyable. Just remember that is was made back in 1985 and you should be able to enjoy it for what it’s worth.

Own it, Watch it, Try it, or Skip it?

A lot of people like American Ninja, and I can see why. It’s a fun little film that is enjoyable even to this day, even if it is borderline cheesy. While it doesn’t hold up to today’s standards so much, it’s something that shows how far we’ve come along. I’m curious to see where the story goes from here since this became a franchise. If you are curious about American Ninja, I’d say go ahead and give it a try. You might be surprised at what you get.

Try it

American Ninja DVD (US Version)

Category : Movie Reviews

Tags : American Ninja, Michael Dudikoff, Movie Review, Sam Firstenberg

0 Comm

15th Mar2013

Bangkok Revenge Review

by kmiller

Background Info

French director Jean-Marc Mineo takes on his first true film with Bangkok Revenge. The film stars John Foo, who has been looking for a break in the industry of his own. The film follows the standard Thai film bulletpoints, but does it have something special to set it aside from other films that were created before it?

Bangkok Revenge Trailer

Story/Characters

I’m going to go ahead and write about both aspects at once this time, because the biggest flaw of the film is interconnected. Manit suffered a wound to his head when he was a child, causing him to suffer from ataraxia and leaving him with no human emotion. If this is the case, why does he care about anything that happens in the plot? Why would he seek revenge (or justice, as he calls it) and help a woman who gets kidnapped? My understanding would be that he would just not care about anyone or anything and go on his daily life. Plus, why would you teach someone who has no emotion how to fight in the first place?

The story only addresses this “condition” when it’s convenient for the plot or fights, and it’s not consistent. This was really bothering to me because I couldn’t relate to anyone since everyone was being so sparratic. It’s not just the main characters, either. Some of the “villains” contradict themselves right after speaking. Like “don’t shoot” and then firing off a pistol a minute later. Really? If you are going to center the film on someone, then take the time to make sure they are consistent in their actions or the whole thing is going to fall apart like it did here. Oh, and let’s not even mention the forced love story. It’s really, really bad.

Action/Choreography

Most people won’t care about the story if the action is good, but it’s really nothing to be excited about. The fights borrow heavily from other films (especially Merantau for some reason) and are forgettable rather quickly. The cuts are way too choppy and the flow is off. One moment Foo is landing from a flip and another he’s facing the other direction corkscrewing a kick already. It’s clear that John Foo has talent and is a capable fighter, but this film doesn’t do him any favors. Even the most dedicated action fans will be checking the time and hoping it all comes to an end soon.

Own it, Watch it, Try it, or Skip it?

Bangkok Revenge is a movie that simply doesn’t get the core aspects right. It wants to create a unique character, but doesn’t commit to making him consistent. The action looks rushed and there are some glaring missed opportunities in them. With so many action films adding something original to stand out, it’s hard to recommend this movie to anyone. It’s clear that Manit isn’t the only with without emotion or character; the whole film suffers from it.

Skip it

Bangkok Revenge Blu-ray (US Version)

Bangkok Revenge DVD (US Version)

Category : Movie Reviews

Tags : Bangkok Renaissance, Bangkok Revenge, Jean-Marc Mineo, John Foo, Movie Review

5 Comm

Pages:12 3 4 5 6 7...13 »