Fancy that. Thai movies have long been panned by audiences and critics alike. That movies are mostly known for comedies, horror, and (from 2003's Ong Bak up until now) action movies. These movies are made to suit the tastes of Thai people. Made by Thais, for Thais. Not so for their brand of action. Prachya Pinkaew's "Ong Bak" proved Thai cinema can have an audience worldwide. HIs following film, "The Protector" a.k.a. "Tom Yum Goong", upped the ante with more hard-hitting action. Unfortunately, the latter was a mixed bag due to its ridiculous plot (Thai village boy going all the way to Sydney, Australia to find his village's elephant). Thankfully, the latest offering from director Prachya Pinkaew does not have the level of absurdity that "The Protector" did, and it proves to be his most violent film yet.
Set in Bangkok, Chocolate tells the story of Zen ("Jeeja" Yanin Vismitananda), the autistic daughter of Yakuza boss Masashi (Hiroshi Abe) and his Thai wife Zin (Ammara Siripong). Masashi is forced to leave Zin due to threats by the Thai mafia, and poor Zen has to take care of Zin and fend off the Thai mafia alone. As if that's not enough, she has cancer and is dying. Zen, grown up, having lived in a Muay Thai academy and watching too many Tony Jaa and Bruce Lee movies, fights gangsters who owe her mother money to pay for her treatment.
Okay, I admit, the story is a bit absurd, but at least it's better than "The Protector". Granted, Jeeja Yanin is a martial arts force to be reckoned with, and in dramatic scenes she is cute and appears pitiful at the same time. The other supporting actors were okay, though I did find the idea of transvestite gangsters played straight disturbing. But it's all right. Surprised to see Japanese actor Abe in this one, not to mention I did not expect a Japanese subplot in the film.
Now for the action sequences. They are lean, mean, balls-to-the-wall, and downright brutal. Bones are broken. Limbs are shattered. Heads are bashed. Kicks and punches are fired everywhere. People, the action and fight scenes you see on the screen are REAL. As proof, they have outtakes at the end of the movie, showing the injuries obtained by stuntmen and the main actress during filming. Why, some of them even had to be admitted to hospital! When I saw this movie in the cinema, the audience was groaning and wincing at the painful injuries inflicted upon the baddies, and boy did they get it bad! It's clear that director Pinkaew takes great pride in his work, and he shows effort to make it as realistic as possible. Pinkaew, choreographer Panna Rittikai and Jeeja Yanin can take a bow, their work can be appreciated here.
So, if you're looking for a nice, high-octane, adrenaline rush, see this film. It's a must for action buffs. You may turn your brain off before screening, but I definitely enjoyed this in the cinema.
Entertainment value: 10/10
Overall value: 8.1/10
Delton
Set in Bangkok, Chocolate tells the story of Zen ("Jeeja" Yanin Vismitananda), the autistic daughter of Yakuza boss Masashi (Hiroshi Abe) and his Thai wife Zin (Ammara Siripong). Masashi is forced to leave Zin due to threats by the Thai mafia, and poor Zen has to take care of Zin and fend off the Thai mafia alone. As if that's not enough, she has cancer and is dying. Zen, grown up, having lived in a Muay Thai academy and watching too many Tony Jaa and Bruce Lee movies, fights gangsters who owe her mother money to pay for her treatment.
Okay, I admit, the story is a bit absurd, but at least it's better than "The Protector". Granted, Jeeja Yanin is a martial arts force to be reckoned with, and in dramatic scenes she is cute and appears pitiful at the same time. The other supporting actors were okay, though I did find the idea of transvestite gangsters played straight disturbing. But it's all right. Surprised to see Japanese actor Abe in this one, not to mention I did not expect a Japanese subplot in the film.
Now for the action sequences. They are lean, mean, balls-to-the-wall, and downright brutal. Bones are broken. Limbs are shattered. Heads are bashed. Kicks and punches are fired everywhere. People, the action and fight scenes you see on the screen are REAL. As proof, they have outtakes at the end of the movie, showing the injuries obtained by stuntmen and the main actress during filming. Why, some of them even had to be admitted to hospital! When I saw this movie in the cinema, the audience was groaning and wincing at the painful injuries inflicted upon the baddies, and boy did they get it bad! It's clear that director Pinkaew takes great pride in his work, and he shows effort to make it as realistic as possible. Pinkaew, choreographer Panna Rittikai and Jeeja Yanin can take a bow, their work can be appreciated here.
So, if you're looking for a nice, high-octane, adrenaline rush, see this film. It's a must for action buffs. You may turn your brain off before screening, but I definitely enjoyed this in the cinema.
Entertainment value: 10/10
Overall value: 8.1/10
Delton