Adam Foidart The simple story of "Ong-Bak" is enough to carry the audiences through, but poorly developed characters means that the martial arts by Tony Jaa are the real highlight of the movie. The martial arts work are impressive and varied from scene to scene and mixing chases with fights against increasingly difficult opponents means that you will be excited to see what comes next. Some of the stunts here are unlike anything you have ever seen (except maybe in exaggerated animated films) and if you're a fan of kung-fu films, or if you're OK with non-stop action with a thin storyline and non-characters, you'll be blown away.Watching this movie, it got me thinking. In this age of CGI and quick-cut editing, there's a real lack of material for people who like seeing real physical performances like dancing, martial arts/fighting, singing and other stunt work. There's probably a lot of that market that can be crossed over as well. I mean while we have "Step Up" style extreme dancing, maybe the thin story lines those movies have can be spiced up with the elements of these type of martial arts films. You already have people jumping around and doing flips and crazy stunts so why not? Maybe a kung-fu musical where we don't get a thousand cuts and we get the actors to sing as they are doing the actions (instead of dubbing them in post) could be a real eye-opener for fans of either genre. Does that sound so crazy? It's starting to make sense to me. With that in mind, even if a movie about martial arts doesn't sound like your thing, give this one a try because the stunt work is impressive and there is a lot of enjoyment that can be had knowing that on screen you're actually seeing real people throwing punches and kicks at each other. (On DVD, August 12, 2012)

david-klompas Martial arts films don't come with more action than Ong Bak. Tony Jaa is by no doubt an astonishing fighter, and Prachya Pinkaew (director) & his cinematographer Nattawut Kittikhun do well in milking his talents for all their worth. The pair stun us with astonishingly detailed fight sequences, choreographed to perfection by Tony Jaa - the leading man himself. Cinematography is pin sharp, and the Thanat Sunsin-Thanapat Taweesuk editing team fly the banner of their craft high with jaw dropping cuts and manipulations - foremost being ingenious use of instant replays.All that being considered, Ong Bak falls far too short in an area arguably more important than technical mastery of filmmaking: the script is terrible. Gaps in the fighting sequences and landscape fills play out like a painful Jackie Chan overdub without the Chan. Kittikhun manages to stun us with majestic landscape cinematography - which does somewhat make up for the shocking script; though cannot ever restore the potential destroyed by the shoddy framework.Technically speaking, Ong Bak is convincing - it certainly lives up to its expectation as martial arts eye candy; though if story and depth are what you seek, then you can give it a miss. But if mindless thrills portrayed with majestic technical mastery are what you seek, then Ong Bak is for you.

Adam Sentiff When the head of an ancient statute known as Ong-bak is stolen it is up to Ting, a proud Muy Thai martial artist must battle urban chaos and organized crime to get it back.This is beyond a shadow of a doubt one of the most action packed martial arts films I have seen in a very long time. With some of the most spectacular stunt work this side of any Jackie Chan, a spring board for Tony Jaa as a martial arts sensation. The story why clichéd and not at all without flaw is not the reason to watch this film. The sheer brilliance and beauty of the action sequences are what make this film a true cinematic wonder to behold. No CGI, no wire work whatsoever make this a pure action film. Spawning two less than impressive sequels, the Ong-bak films are not known for their story or plot but for there hardcore death defying action sequences. I can't recommend this film enough to any fan of Asian cinema.

rynkrshnd In my opinion Ong Bak is a great movie, because it is a movie with real action, not with any special effects. Such of movies are cool but use effects, Tony Jaa, the main character has many great moves techniques. I think his techniques are specific from the other martial actors for example Jackie Chan. The story line is good. The messages of this movie are never give up and do the best. I will give 7 out of 10. The good things in this movie is it was not use any effects. The bad sides in this movie are the story line is too simple and the main character is not good in acting but good at martial arts.By: Human, not animal