Video: 4.5/5
Audio: 5/5
Extras: 2.5/5
Overall: 4/5
The Final Battle?
If you've seen Thai action films, they aren't big on plot and story and rely mainly on action to fill 90 minutes. This film is no exception. I feel the same way about the other two previous Ong Bak films. First film filled it action with this whole underground fight club with the missing head of Ong Bak. Ong Bak 2 was about a kid who grew up and wanted revenge; he was trained by pirates to become a bad ass. Ong Bak 3, well... from what I could tell, the kid learns that you need to change his ways.
The film had problems, that's for sure. Tony Jaa lost everything while filming Ong Bak 2 and became homeless because he believed in this series and it cost him dearly. The plot is not consistent; not with how the way Ong Bak 2 ended. You may think you might know what will happen in this movie, but the studio decided to take the film in a completely different direction and that leaves the viewer somewhat confused.
I think if Tony Jaa was given everything that he needed and the studio didn't interfere and bring Tony's mentor, Panna Rittikrai, into co-directing the film; we could have possibly had an epic action masterpiece. Instead we're left with these two films that are not on par with other Asian action films. At best, it's just another average Thai action exploitation film like Panna Rittikrai's Spirited Killer series.
Why do I give it a 3.5/5? I think visuals that were shown to us, like backgrounds and other set pieces really look good. Also, the scoring is pretty good. Sure, the music is re-used from Ong Bak 2, but it works with this. The film has replay value to me since I've watched the film three times all ready since I've purchased it back on Tuesday.
The video is 4.5/5. Given that it's shot with equipment that's a lot better than what's seen on other Thai films that are released on Blu-ray, the video is quite pleasing. However, the artistic changes in softness and sharpness does bring it down. But it wasn't as bad as it was in Ong Bak 2.
The audio is a solid 5/5 for me. I think both Thai and English dubbing sound great on this release. Hearing the wrapped chains around Tony Jaa's wrists in the opening fight scene clanging as he's hitting the king's warriors sounds exceptional.
Extras are weak, 2.5/5. Magnolia Pictures gave Ong Bak 2 a ton of bonus materials. This one is weak. The Digital Copy is nice. I would prefer a disc to copy it off of because doing it as a straight download takes forever in a day with my internet connection.
Overall, we come to a 3.875/5 and I'm going to round this up to a 4/5 for this release. If you like action films, I'd recommend it. It's not as good other movies out there, but then again, was Ong Bak 2 as good as other action films?
