Movie Description
Tony Jaa follows in the powerful martial arts footsteps of Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Jet Li in ONG-BAK: THE THAI WARRIOR, one of the first films to center on the ancient fighting system of Muay Thai, which utilizes the body's limbs to potentially devastating effect. Jaa stars as Ting, a quiet young man who lives in the peaceful village of Nong Pradu. As the village's special celebration approaches, a Bangkok villain named Don (Wannakit Siriput) steals the head of the Buddha statue Ong-Bak, which is said to protect the village from bad luck. Ting volunteers to go to the big city to bring back the head of Ong-Bak, but remembers what he was taught by sage monk Pra Cru (Woranard Tantipidok): he must not use his Muay Thai skills to harm people. However soon after arriving in Bangkok, Ting, a peaceful fish out of water, finds that the only way to recapture the village's sacred treasure is by using his arms, his legs--and his head.
Influenced by the films of Thai action star Phanna Rithikrai, director Prachya Pinkaew hired the Muay Thai expert to serve as martial arts and stunt choreographer for ONG-BAK, resulting in highly effective and believable scenes between Ting and a multitude of criminals and evil boxers out to get him. Pinkaew adds a fun sense of humor to the serious story, not only in some of the crazy stunts but also in the character of George, played by Thai comic Petchthai Wongkamlao. Jaa is charmingly fearless in the lead role, performing all his own stunts without any special effects, computer enhancement, or ropes.
| Credits | | Producer: | Prachya Pinkaew, Sukanya Vongsthapat | | Cast: | Chetwut Wacharakun, Petchthai Wongkamlao, Pumwaree Yodkamol, Rungrawee Borrijindakul, Tony Jaa |
| Details | | Edition: | Checkpoint |
Editorial Reviews
"[A] lively, bone-crunching action movie....Mr. Jaa, blessed with astonishing muscle definition and a stoical, sensitive face, clearly has the potential to be an international action movie star..."
New York Times - A. O. Scott (02/11/2005)
"It's a display of phenomenal dexterity and nimble grace that's a joy to watch. That, friends, is entertainment."
Los Angeles Times - Kenneth Turan (02/11/2005)
"[A] jaw-dropper of a star-making display from lithe fighter-artist Tony Jaa..."
Entertainment Weekly - Lisa Schwarzbaum (02/25/2005)
"ONG-BAK prides itself on its back-to-basics bare-knuckle brutality....Jaa proves a capable hero in his debut screen role."
Sight and Sound - Jamie Russell (05/01/2005)
"It's a revolutionary benchmark and a unique piece of scattershot genius..."
Uncut - Kevin Maher (06/01/2005)
Ranked #21 in Uncut's Best Films Of 2005 -- "Tony Jaa cements his reputation as the heir apparent to Bruce Lee and pre-Hollywood Jackie Chan..."
Uncut - Uncut Staff (01/01/2006)
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