Review of Ong Bak 3 by Wise Kwai

12.05.2010EvilDollaR

Director: Tony Jaa
Screenplay: Tony Jaa and Panna Rittikrai
Starring: Tony Jaa, Nirut Sirijanya, Chupong Changprung (Dan “Dew” Chupong), Saranyu Wongrajang, Primrata Det-Udom, Petchtai Wongkamlao.
Premiere Date: May 5, 2010
Rating: 18+
Wise Kwai Rating: 3/5

Beware, there are spoilers!

The most ambitious work in the form of a martial arts adventure film, which Tatchakorn “Tony Jaa” Yirum brought us two years ago, turned out to be an unfinished film.

He finally managed to come up with an ending to his story about an ancient warrior named Tien who battles evil warlords as well as his inner demons.

Ong-Bak 3 picks up after the suspense ending of the 2008 film, when Tien was captured by warlord Jom Rachan (Saranyu Wongrajang). He was mistreated, beaten and tortured in thirteen ways prescribed by Jom Rachana. Just don't try to count these ways.

Tien makes a miraculous recovery, but must fight two or three more fights before he finds peace of mind. The action, which even uses a herd of elephants, is as amazing as always. However, it leaves behind a feeling of formality, haste and, sad as it is to say, seeing a man swinging on elephant tusks, even routine. But at least there is still an ending.

Tony Jaa | Tony Jaa - photo gallery 197 — new shot of Ong-Bak 3

Tony, who wrote the script, was the director and producer, the fight director and the main character, probably did everything he wanted to do in the previous film, but then he didn’t have enough time or money.

The Nattayuth fighting style, consisting of meditation, traditional Khon dancing and a combination of various martial arts, is given more attention here. This means that viewers will see more episodes of Tien meditating and learning dance.

The supporting characters who played small roles in “Ong-Bak 2” were given significantly more screen time here.

Tony Jaa | Tony Jaa - photo gallery 204 — new shot of Ong-Bak 3

In fact, it is Dan/Dew Chupong Chanprung, who plays the role of the villain Bhuti Sangkha, who steals most of the audience's attention. The mysterious raven-like fighter was only briefly shown in Ong-Bak 2, but here he is one of the key characters. Chupong proves that he can play the “bad guy.” He's great. Dressed in a black cloak and robe and covered in tattoos that give him supernatural powers, he looks more like the evil emperor from Star Wars, feeding on fear, anger and hatred.

To confront the Sith Lord, a Jedi Master must also be present. In “Ong-Bak 3” this is the teacher Phra Bua. Played by veteran actor Nirut Sirijanya, he has the mannerisms of Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness) and the pointy ears and bald head of Yoda. Phra Bua could be seen in “Ong-Bak 2” in the role of a mentor to little Tien, teaching the son of a nobleman to dance and enlightening him in spiritual matters. Here he became a monk, absorbed in meditation, which brought him into contact with the evil spell of the Bhuti Sangkha, causing much suffering in the kingdom.

Petchtai “Mom Jokkmok” Wongkamlao also has a big role, contrasting the comedy elements with the dark melodramatic sequences. Unshaven and unkempt, he is the village idiot Meng, another character from Tien's childhood.

A girl is also present - Tien's childhood love, the dancer Pim (Primrata Det-Udom). She cared for the dying Tien after a royal decree saved him from the death penalty.

With the exception of Dan Chupong, the significance of all these supporting characters in “Ong Bak 3” may well worry action fans. More meditation and dancing. These are things that are close to Tony's heart and are great to see if you are involved in Thai culture. But Western fans will simply rewind these moments.

There's another episode that Western fans will hate. This is the scene in which the beautiful Pim tries to show the broken and beaten Tien how to dance. At the same time, she sings a song with a trembling voice with a lot of the word “noy”. Noah, noah, noah, noah, noah. And it’s annoying (note: in the original the author used a play on words – “an-noy-ing”). And these two don’t have any romantic relationship - it’s better to just be friends and leave everything as it is.

Speaking of fighting, at the beginning of the film there is an episode in which Jaa heroically fights with several dozen people holding him back and beating him with wooden poles. Not too technical, just a bunch of guys getting together and “bashing” Tony.

Tony doesn't even participate in the next fight, he's too beaten. It involves a mysterious fighter with a basket on his head, and a couple of other ninja-like guys in black, who face off against unknown warriors from the Ayutthaya palace.

It's Dan Chupong's turn. Unfortunately, his first big fight scene (him against several hundred guys) takes place in the dark, and he's wearing a dark cloak and cape. There's nothing to see here. Let's move on. The second battle is better, it takes place during the day on the ruins of an ancient Khmer palace. In it, with the help of cables, Dan Chupong destroys meter-thick stone walls with people.

Apparently Tien's biggest fight is with himself. He climbs to the edge of the cliff not to appreciate the stunning view of the sunset from the plateau of Mount Dangrek, but to jump down due to the enormous pain and sadness of losing his adoptive father (Sorapong Chatri), and also because of losing battles.

“Meditate,” advises monk Phra Bua. Yes, thank you for that, Phra Bua.

Thus, I'm hinting at later scenes of a bearded Tien meditating in caves, sitting cross-legged in a babbling stream, and honing the skills of his new style called Nattayut. Cut to an image of Buddha (fans of 2003's Ong-Bak should know what this is about), then to Tien, back to Buddha, and back to Tien, the "chosen one." Notice some symbolism? He is Buddha, Jesus, Neo, Luke Skywalker and Bruce Lee all rolled into one.

I suppose when the golden-robed warriors arrived, he was already ready for battle. But even with Meng's help, Tien was unable to stop them from destroying the village.

Well, the time has come for the only final confrontation between Tien and Bhuti Sangha. This should have been a powerful battle with the goal of finishing off all enemies, but this feeling does not add up. Even with a herd of elephants. Although there is a conclusion to the story in the end, Ong Bak 3 is an anti-climax. It lacks the sense of epoch-making of “Ong-Bak 2” and represents an unfulfilled promise to the audience. In short, “Ong-Bak 3” is not as interesting as “Ong-Bak 2”.

Technically it is perfect. The cinematography is clean and picturesque, and the musical compositions and sound effects are worth checking out.

There was no need to rush to show “Ong-Bak 2” two years ago. Then “Ong-Bak 3” could be combined with the second part and create a high-quality two-hour film instead of two ninety-minute ones, throwing out flashbacks, unnecessary dialogue and repetitive elements of the storyline.

But then there would be no revenue streams from the two films.

Author: Wise Kwai
Translation: EvilDollaR