protector2006

THE SYNOPSIS

In Thailand, elephants are revered as highly as gods. Two such elephants have been entrusted to young Kham--who will help raise the benevolent animals into maturity and train in the lethal Muay-Thai discipline to insure their protection. Years later, Kham (Jaa) and his father tale the pachyderms to the capital city to present them as gifts to the King.

Fate has something else in mind as the elephants are kidnapped by a dastardly gang and Father is killed. Kham tracks the elephants down in Australia, where they are to be given to the lethal gang leader Madame Rose (Xing). With the help of a disavowed Aussie/Thai cop, Mark (Wongkamlao), Kham kicks, punches, elbows, headbutts and terrorizes his way through Oz--searching for his beloved elephants.

Madame Rose and her legion have plenty in store for our intrepid heros. Will they kick ass and save some elephants? Watch the movie yourself!

THE CRITIQUE

In a movie like THE PROTECTOR, it’s best to forget script/plot and just enjoy the martial arts fireworks. Now I’m not saying that script & plot are not important in a movie--I’m just saying that in regard to this particular flick, just sit back and watch the ass-whoopin’!

The ass-whoopee in question is the talented and agile Tony Jaa--star of the 2003 breakout hit Ong-Bak. This guy can move like Jackie Chan--25 years ago. The kid can’t speak English...but kicks & punches need no translation anyway.

As directed by the John Woo of Thailand, Prachya Pinkaew (Ong-Bak), THE PROTECTOR moves along at breakneck speed. There is little time to ponder significance of humanity in the face of utter nihilism when someone’s getting their freakin’ skull busted! But seriously, Pinkaew knows where to put his camera(s) to get the money shots, And it works.

Competently-lensed by Ong-Bak cinematographer Nuttawut Kittikin, the $8,000,000-budgeted movie takes full advan-tage of its dual-location shoots in Thailand and Australia. I rather like that the cinematography creates a visually- ambient palette for both countries: a verdant hue for the rustic Thai setups, while the Australian big city sequences are shot in blues and grays. Very nice.

The highlight of the action involves the 4-minute fight sequence that is performed in one Steadicam-style shot without any edits. Yes, you heard right: no edits! Not only has this not ever been done before in a martial arts movie, but it was extremely difficult to accomplish, According to the production notes, the sequence had to be filmed 6 times!

Tech credits (hyperkinetic editing, production design, The RZA’s U.S.-release score, etc.) are solid across the board. My hats off to the stunt people and elephant trainers as well. And for the record, the original version runs 109 minutes.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Silly plot, but decent action and fight sequences. Is there anything that Tony Jaa can’t do...besides speak English? If you like martial arts movies, then this one’s for you. If not, then see a movie like The Queen--cause you’re on the wrong page, buddy!

CAST: Tony Jaa, Petchtai Wongkamlao, Bongkoj Khongmalai, Jing Xing, Nathan Jones & Sambat The Elephant

CREDITS: Director: Prachya Pinkaew; Screenwriters: Napalee, Piyaros Thongdee & Joe Wannapin, Kongdej Jaturanasmee; Producers: Prachya Pinkaew & Sukyanya Vongsthapat; Director Of Photography: Nuttawut Kittikin; Production Designer: Akadech Kaewkot; Editor: Marut Seelacharoen; Costume Designer: Ekabhume Nganchamang; Original Music: The RZA; Additional Music: Howard Drossin; Martial Arts Choreography: Tony Jaa & Panna Rittikrai

AC/AL/SV 2006 84m THAI/
ENG. SUB