Thai martial arts movies

[wix]

Last night I went to see the newly released Thai movie Tom Yum Goong. It was greatly hyped here in Thailand and will get released internationally. The movie follows on from, but is not exactly a sequel to Ong Bak.

The main thing the two movies have in common is that they star Tony Jaa (aka Panom Yeerum or Jaa Panom). He is an extraordinarily skilled martial artist and it is the fight scenes that make both movies worth watching. Here in Thailand Tony Jaa is being hailed as the new Jackie Chan or Jet Li. Interestingly enough Jackie Chan has a cameo role in Tom Yum Goong.

If you watch either of the movies keep in mind that there are no wires, stunt doubles or digital effects. The action relies entirely on the brilliant athletic skills of Tony Jaa.

I was a bit disappointed with Tom Yum Goong. Even though it had a bigger budget than Ong Bak it didn't seem to come together as well. Still if you are a fan of good martial arts movies I think you would appreciate either film. Hunt down a VCD or DVD or Ong Bak or wait until Tom Yum Goong gets an overseas release.

Related links

Tom Yum Goong movie website

Ong Bak

Tony Jaa - unofficial fan site

[tluroc76]

I saw Ong Bak and was impressed with Tony Jaa's skills. I was a pretty good jumper back in the days but no way I could hop over a small passenger car.

Thai boxing is very different from Chinese martial art, wonder how Jet Li or Jackie Chan in their prime would fair against someone like Tony Jaa? That's of course, hand to hand combat, no weapons.