Bangkok Dangerous (2000)

The Age of Commercialism

Absolutely Fantastic

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

It's pretty obvious the Pang brothers has been reading way too many Asian comic books, because the style of this movie is like some lame and mainly boring comic book with flashes of somewhat good. It's basically a low budget film that is mediocre at best that tries to be cool like some Asian comic book. Just about everything about this movie is pretty generic, except the hit-man in this is deaf. With it's plot of seeking redemption while living amongst death and violence. Everything is this if your a movie vet, you probably seen already except much better although I give the film props for capturing everything it had to it's advantage. It's basically a generic film that is getting more hype than it really deserve, if the film took place in the US instead of Bangkok people would not be so generous to it, although Bangkok is much more dangerous in some areas compared to the US. And if your looking for a HK style shoot em up or a engaging action movie you will be disappointed, this film is uneven at times as well.6.2/10

After the mess of the remake I figured I owed it to the Pang brothers to at least see what they had done originally before messing it up – or perhaps seeing that they never had anything in the first place and that maybe the remake just reflected that. The first thing that will hit you watching the original after the remake will be the change in the three central characters, as here we have the roles and interaction changed around a bit and working better in this orientation than with Nicholas Cage's version. Now, I am conscious that there is an in-built pressure on me to like this film more than the remake simply because it is the "original" and is a foreign language film, but the fact of the matter is that the 1999 film is superior to the remake.However, and those having seen the 2008 film will back me up on this, that is not saying a great deal and it does not read then that this film is brilliant. It is not brilliant but it does do what the remake didn't manage to do, which was to have a certain amount of story that I cared about and to wrap it up in a style that covers the weaknesses. This is helped by the character dynamics, which work much better with the three or four characters inhabiting the roles they do (ie the "deaf/mute" thing is much better with the assassin than with the girl). It isn't perfect though but it works and I was reasonably engaged by the characters even if the plot was straightforward enough. Those looking for Woo-style action will be disappointed; there is gun-play of course but it is not really designed to thrill or excite. What the brothers do do well though is visual style, which is mostly quite engaging and energising, even if they overdo the sentimentality really badly at the end.The cast are better here as well, mainly because they fit their characters and make their interactions work. Mongkolpisit's Kong is an effective presence on the screen, which he needed to be in order for his condition to work. Intrakanchit is good but given a lot less to do than I expected. What really helps the film is that the two female roles are quite good. Ratanasopha's sweetness and natural warmth comes through and thus convinces you of her falling in love with Kong – something that the corresponding roles in the remake never did. Timkul's Aom is strong and sexy even if she is more of a plot device than a character in the film.Overall this is not a brilliant film that deserves to be shouted about but it is still an engaging and effective film thanks to a solid story, good performances and good delivery from the Pang Brothers. It has its faults but the strengths cover these up pretty well to make for a film that only really blows it by how heavy handed it is in the final few minutes. Oh, for those moaning that they accidentally hired this instead of the remake – trust me, you've much, much better off.

Here we go again. make a good Asian film and soon Hollywood will come around and ruin it for you. Those who have followed my criticisms of remakes know how I feel. For others, The Departed was a shallow remake of Infernal Affairs.Now, I see that Nickolas Cage is in a remake of this film. Despite the fact that the Pang brothers are directing and writing, it cannot hope to capture what was here.This is not just an action flick. It is so much more. It is the story of a child with hearing and speech impairment that was cruelly taunted by other children. He grew up into a meaningless life and meaningless jobs until someone noticed he has an ability that could be honed to perfection. Sure, he became a hit-man, but someone cared enough to teach and guide him to his potential.Now, with just two friends, Kong (Pawalit Mongkolpisit) was happy. He lived with his teacher (Pisek Intrakanchit), and got assignments from Aom (Patharawarin Timkul). Life was good, but about to get better.He meets Fon (Premsinee Ratanasopha) and love enters his life. He is supremely happy. Unfortunately, she learns the truth about his occupation, and he has to do some real soul searching.The streets of Bangkok are a perfect backdrop used to maximum effect by the Pang brothers, and the cast is a group that you can really get close to. This is a story that can never be duplicated by someone from Hollywood, and I am disappointed that they would even try.

I rented this movie not really expecting much jus a shoot em up crappy Asian flick. But as soon as the movie started i was amazed by the way the camera moved and colors used.The film also introduced some great acting. The actor known in the movie as "JO" was a great supporting actor.The only flaw I saw in this film was the way they tried to mix to many elements together at once. For example, the 20 minute cut of Kong and Fon going out to have a good time. That segment could have been condensed.OK my rating for this film... 6 1/2 out of 10 suggestion...good Friday rental =D