Movie Info:
Writer: Oxide Pang Chun, Danny Pang
Director: Oxide Pang Chun, Danny Pang
Cast: Pawalit Mongkolpisit, Premsinee Ratanasopha, Patharawarin Timkul, Pisek Intrakanchit
Rating: R
Studio: First Look

Release Info:
Theatrical Release:November 24, 2000
DVD Release Date: August 5, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon for $8.49

Most film buffs are familiar with the Pang brothers in some way. Whether it is with their work personally or the American adaptations that come into play, films like The Eye and The Messengers manage to get their points across quite nicely. However, when you think of a writing/directing duo from another country, you generally expect that when the Americanized version of the film is coming here that someone else will be handling the undertaking. That is not the case with the Pang Brothers.

In 1999 the film, Bangkok Dangerous was made and eventually released in Thailand. At the end of this week, a new version of Bangkok Dangerous will be released with Nicholas Cage starring as the main character. The Pang brothers are responsible for both films. This review is on the first film, though I am sure we will be offering coverage on the new film at a later date, as well.

I came in watching this film with only one Pang brothers film under my belt. I have yet to see their version of The Eye, which I am told is much better than the US version. The only movie I have seen by the Pangs is The Messengers. When this movie landed on my desk, I didn’t even know it had been made prior to that moment. I thought the Nicholas Cage version was the only version. I suspect there are many people that might believe this, as well.

What you end up with in this 1999 version is a compelling, interesting story that despite its flaws is more watchable than not. Of course, with the new version coming out most American audiences will lean towards Cage and at this point it is unfair to say which film is undeniably better. Having only seen one, I cannot pick between the two, though I can say no matter what, this film is worth watching at least once.

The Bangkok Dangerous (1999) Plot
The protagonist of the story goes by the name of Kong. He lost his hearing when he was a young child and grew to be hard as an adult because the children teased him due to his disability. As the story begins, Kong is a deaf assassin that cannot hear the people pleading for their lives as he kills them. Kong has two partners in crime. One is Jo, a former hitman that is no longer able to be an assassin because of a serious hand injury, and Aom, the person that is Kong’s go between.

It takes a cold man to be able to do what Kong does. A sociopath in the nicest of terms, Kong kills with ease, not hearing what the soon to be dead say, or caring how they feel. He kills one only to move onto the next. Some might say that he has no heart. Then again, others might say that one day love could beat the demon. Enter love around the next corner.

Kong meets a beautiful drugstore clerk and realizes that there might be more to life than the hardness that he has allowed to encapsulate him. However, with these new feelings in tow he soon learns that emotions can be a deficit, especially when the hunters become the hunted. When Aom is attacked by one of the men in the mob, Jo springs to action and starts a war that will not end happily for anyone. While none of the men working the Bangkok beat will go down easily, sometimes it’s better to just cut your losses before they are able to cut you.

There are many good parts to this film. The Pang brothers are excellent when it comes to visual and sound cues. It’s obvious that Kong is deaf long before you are outright told that he is. The editing is superb and it makes you want to like the film. However, the romance feels like it was thrown in for good measure and this can make the story seem a little choppy. Despite that, the good outweighs the bad and causes this to be deemed watchable.

Storyline/Plot:
Replayability:
Acting:
Directing:

Audio/Visual:
The visual quality is achieved using a 1.33:1 aspect ratio in fullscreen. As a lower budget film, you end up getting a lower budget video quality. You will notice some dirt, fuzz, scratches, and compression errors. They aren’t so annoying that you will quit watching but you will see them. The quality could be better, but despite the lack of detail everything is manageable.

The audio, which is offered in Thai Dolby Digital Stereo with English Subtitles, offers a much more dynamic sound than the visual offerings. This is no huge surprise as the Pang brothers are known for eliciting emotions based on sound effects and sound stimulation. The sound comes in crisp and clear and really adds to the picture in ways that the visual quality does not.

Visual:
Audio:

Bonus Features:
Bangkok Dangerous lacks any real type of special features unfortunately. Other than a basic trailer and some previews there is nothing here. Even then, watching a trailer after you’ve seen a movie can be pointless, much like this bonus section.

Bonus Features:

Bottom Line:
Bangkok Dangerous is a decent movie. It’s certainly not the best I have seen in general or from the Pang Brothers, but it’s not the worst either. I am anxious to check out the English version with Nicholas Cage to compare the movies. In the meantime, until it comes out (and after) this remains a solid choice for action fans. If you’re looking to watch some ruthless killing you will want to check this one out. I recommend renting it first, especially with the new one coming out, but if you like it now’s the time to pick it up.

Overall Rating:

Technorati Tags: Pawalit Mongkolpisit, Premsinee Ratanasopha, Patharawarin Timkul, Pisek Intrakanchit , Oxide Pang Chun, Danny Pang , Pang Brothers, Thai, Bangkok Dangerous, DVD, DVD Review

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