ong bak Tagged Articles at Cinematical

Living up to expectations, at least at the box office, Ong Bak 2 opened in Thailand last Friday and did big business. The action flick, starring Tony Jaa, is on track to become the biggest local hit of the year, according to Variety Asia Online.

The production ran into trouble earlier this year when Jaa walked off the set and disappeared into the jungle to think things over. Rumors were that the stunt man turned martial arts star, who came to worldwide prominence with Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior and The Protector, had bitten off more than he could chew with his first turn in the director's chair. Jaa indicated that it was all about the production company providing enough money to make the movie he wanted to make. Old friends came back on board, differences were ironed out, and the result was a big opening.

Wise Kwai provided links to stills, a synopsis, and a translation of a press conference, so head over there for the pre-release publicity. What about the film itself? I haven't found any reviews yet, though a commenter named Brad at the blog Enjoy Thai Movies wrote: "I saw the film last night. It's terrific with a great story and amazing action. Tony Jaa commands the screen with a towering performance. Given his much publicized recent problems, it's great to see Jaa pull through with such a wonderful film. It will be major hit, I am sure."

As for US viewers, we're waiting on The Weinstein Co., which, as far as I know, still holds distribution rights. Their web site still doesn't list the film, and I'm not terribly optimistic about a theatrical release. *

* UPDATE: Our friend Wise Kwai has just posted his (almost entirely) positive review -- check it out -- and also says below that the Weinsteins bowed out of distribution some time ago. Here's hoping someone else picks it up.

The last time we checked in with Tony Jaa, he was alternately tearful and demanding. The acrobatic Thai martial arts star of Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior and The Protector walked off the set of his big-budget directing debut, Ong-Bak 2 (which is not, despite its title, a direct sequel), and disappeared into the jungle earlier this year, reemerging two months later amidst press conferences and legal recriminations.

Among other things, Jaa demanded more money to be added to the budget and the hiring of his friend, veteran action choreographer and director Panna Rittikrai *. The production company wanted Prachya Pinkaew, who directed Jaa in Ong-Bak and The Protector before the two had a falling out, to step in and oversee the completion of the film. At least some of Jaa's demands must have been met, since he returned to work, more money was poured into the production, and Rittikrai came on board.

Was all the trouble worth it? Judge for yourself. The film is on track to meet its release date of December 4 and a trailer is playing in local cinemas, reports Wise Kwai's Thai Film Journal. He found the trailer on YouTube and notes: "It's really best seen on the big screen. I can't describe well enough how great I think it looks." We've posted the trailer after the jump.