Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior Critic Reviews

Ong-Bak (taken from the name of the sacred statue) is delivered raw, with an on-the-fly compositional approach from director Prachya Pinkaew that includes dim lighting and jumbled editing.Read the full review

An effective martial arts film destined to leave mouths agape.Read the full review

Strongly recalls Hong Kong kung-fu movies of the late '60s and '70s, with physical grit, over-the-top heroics and inventive fight choreography providing the entertainment.Read the full review

Mr. Jaa, blessed with astonishing muscle definition and a stoical, sensitive face, clearly has the potential to be an international action movie star, and Ong-Bak feels like the start of a scrappy, potent franchise.Read the full review

It's a display of phenomenal dexterity and nimble grace that's a joy to watch. That, friends, is entertainment.Read the full review

Did I enjoy Ong-Bak? As brainless but skillful action choreography, yes. And I would have enjoyed it even more if I'd known going in that the stunts were being performed in the old-fashioned, pre-computer way.Read the full review

Makes up in action what it lacks in storytelling finesse.Read the full review

Refreshingly free of the hyperbole of special effects...Ong-Bak will win no scriptwriting awards, but Jaa is definitely the real deal.Read the full review

Ting's exploits grow ever more violent and repetitive, but a lot of Ong-Bak is very enjoyable.Read the full review