Martial Arts Films

Chocolate

I promised I'd report back here once I saw Chocolate, the new film from the director of Ong Bak, and so that's what I'm doing. A lot of people have been hyping this movie, calling it's star the female Tony Jaa, or even more badass than Tony Jaa. Well, I can say that he needn't worry about his reputation.

Don't get me wrong, Yanin Vismitananda is an awesome, impressive martial artist, but there wasn't much in this movie that was quite at the level of Ong Bak or The Protector's fight scenes. The plot had some potential, and was kinda fun, but as is usually typical of martial arts movies, the melodrama was incredibly overplayed and fairly leaden in contrast to the fight scenes. To make matters worse, I spotted more than a few instances of sped up frames, the bane of a true kung fu fan's existence(and I use the term Kung Fu as a catch-all for the genre, knowing full well that it isn't kung fu on display in this film). Of course, that's better than CGI choreography, but slightly worse than a wire, all of which are on display here.

Still, while it isn't an essential addition to the genre, it is well worth the time spent, even if you only fast forward to the fight scenes. In fact, if you don't think this film is for you, I still suggest skimming through the movie to the final all out fight scene, involving Muy Thai, breakdancing, and some sweet samurai action. Very remniscent of the House of Blue Leaves fight in Kill Bill.

Re:Chocolate

Thanks for getting back on that. I'm still going to see it, and I, personally, in no way felt that Tony Jaa's rep was in danger. It's definitely too bad to hear about them using such cheap tricks. I really prefer seeing Jaa's wireless stuff. His stunts alone are fun as hell to watch. Add to that the amazing fighting abilities he possesses (even if it is choreographed), and his films become an enjoyable experience. Granted terrible acting seems to be standard fair for these films, but I don't think most of these people have spent much time learning to act.

Re:Chocolate

rjsprague:

Thanks for getting back on that. I'm still going to see it, and I, personally, in no way felt that Tony Jaa's rep was in danger. It's definitely too bad to hear about them using such cheap tricks. I really prefer seeing Jaa's wireless stuff. His stunts alone are fun as hell to watch. Add to that the amazing fighting abilities he possesses (even if it is choreographed), and his films become an enjoyable experience. Granted terrible acting seems to be standard fair for these films, but I don't think most of these people have spent much time learning to act.

Yeah, the plot in Chocolate is pretty bad, but I think it might actually be better than the cheese-fest that was The Protector(how about that scene where Tony Jaa breaks into the room with all of the women forced into prostitution, has a tender moment with his elephant, and then leaves all of the slave women chained to the wall). And I have to give this girl credit, she definitely knows her stuff. She's very skilled, and the final fight scene is awesome. It's just... some of the 'tricks' were a bit obvious, and I would have preferred them just cutting that stunt to faking it.