I just caught the latest Tony Jaa blockbuster on the big screen!
I'm not too much of a film nut, so I shall refrain from trying to write a proper review. Let me just say that it was an enjoyable movie for most parts, and quite worth watching in the cinema. For those who haven't already heard of him (I'll admit that I only did recently), Tony Jaa is a Thai action star somewhat in the tradition of Jacky Chan - his martial arts is for real, and he does his own stunts. In fact, I spotted a few Jacky Chan references and perhaps tributes in Tom Yum Goong. In an early scene, Tony climbs over a high fence easily, leaving his pursuers comically stranded on the other side. In the warehouse fight scene, he weaves in and out of small spaces like car windows. In the restaurant fight scene, he kicks a sofa to trip a baddie - that was from the Rush Hour massage parlour scene! Oh, and of course, the leap-off-the-building-after-the-helicopter scene that is classic Jacky Chan.
So much Jacky that the producers of Tom Yum Goong also followed his formula of basing his movies overseas. Tony Jaa ends up in Sydney, where 80% of this movie is filmed. Personally, I found this a pity - the movie starts in the rustic Thai countryside and the featured glimpses of Thai culture like the Songkran water festival were charming. The Thai backdrop could have been more sufficiently explored for its potential even for an action movie, evident in the unique river chase scene. But no, they had to go to Australia, and the movie nearly turns into another Hollywood action flick. It's really rescued only by some rather interesting characters like Police Sergeant Mark - I'm quite positive this supporting role is one that somehow makes a huge difference to the movie.
Most of the fight scenes are showcases of Tony Jaa's Thai martial arts, and while quite the eye-opener, the novelty wears off when he literally fights hundreds of enemies. The first few times, it was "What a cool move!", after that, I just cringed at the incessant bone-shattering. Curiously, it's like those old-school computer games where the hero effortlessly fights off hordes of irritating small fries, before meeting the "level king". In Tom Yum Goong, Tony Jaa is placed in a David-Goliath situation with some wrestler dude (Nathan Jones) and his equally humongous pals, but triumphs in David's fashion. Yes, but I must still reiterate my complaint about the excessive amount of bone-breaking! *cringe* The fight scenes certainly lack the elegance of Jacky Chan ones, but they make up for that with some innovations like the four-minute uncut fight sequence that is truly outstanding!
4/5 stars. Haha.. and I said I won't write a review. Oh well...
