Action, action, action - isn't that all we really want from action/martial arts flicks?
As proved time and time again by poor, non-existent or just plain ridiculous story lines, we like to get motivated a little by a plot and characters, so that the action is so much the sweeter when it comes about.
Ong Bak 2 (a misnomer, perhaps?) certainly doesn't fall into the above category which has spoiled so many other titles, however, by the time it finishes, you'll probably be left wondering, "Isn't something missing?" And you'd be right - at least an extra hour of film!
Without risking ruining the viewing for anyone, by the time the characters and the story have fully developed, the film suddenly ends. Yeah, it could be argued that it was supposed to have, or that it was shoddily paving the way for a sequel, but for me, it felt like the closing of the second act of a martial arts epic, and by it just switching to the credits, I felt rightfully cheated.
Tony Jaa's a spectacle to watch as ever, the story's there, just not played out properly (unless some moron truly did truncate filming or cut the film in half) and the sets and action are all superb... but, well, I can't help but wonder: "Isn't something missing?"
As proved time and time again by poor, non-existent or just plain ridiculous story lines, we like to get motivated a little by a plot and characters, so that the action is so much the sweeter when it comes about.
Ong Bak 2 (a misnomer, perhaps?) certainly doesn't fall into the above category which has spoiled so many other titles, however, by the time it finishes, you'll probably be left wondering, "Isn't something missing?" And you'd be right - at least an extra hour of film!
Without risking ruining the viewing for anyone, by the time the characters and the story have fully developed, the film suddenly ends. Yeah, it could be argued that it was supposed to have, or that it was shoddily paving the way for a sequel, but for me, it felt like the closing of the second act of a martial arts epic, and by it just switching to the credits, I felt rightfully cheated.
Tony Jaa's a spectacle to watch as ever, the story's there, just not played out properly (unless some moron truly did truncate filming or cut the film in half) and the sets and action are all superb... but, well, I can't help but wonder: "Isn't something missing?"