Bang Rajan
Magnolia Pictures | Release Date: August 6, 2004 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
59
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 19 Critic Reviews
Positive:
9
Mixed:
9
Negative:
1
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
90
Los Angeles TimesKevin Thomas
The vigorous Bang Rajan moves with a sure sense of direction and authority to its major culminating battle, a singularly savage and wrenching encounter that for all its bloodshed is never exploitative and concludes the film on a resounding note of tragic grandeur. Read full review
80
L.A. WeeklyElla Taylor
It's not easy to spend the better part of two hours with your heart parked in your mouth, but this roaring battle epic is worth the risk of your palpitations. Read full review
75
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
The story suggests a more violent "Seven Samurai," full of jungle mayhem and eloquently filmed action-movie suspense. Read full review
75
New York PostV.A. Musetto
There's extreme brutality, gore and violence, scads of severed body parts and oceans of squirting blood, as the brave -- and buffed -- people of Bang Rajan fight to the death. Read full review
75
New York Daily NewsElizabeth Weitzman
Unapologetically graphic and slightly marred by an artistic awkwardness, this is a rare and worthwhile glimpse into another nation's historical legend. Read full review
70
VarietyDerek Elley
Visceral and sweat-drenched, but also attaining a genuinely epic stature in its final reels. Read full review
70
Village VoiceMichael Atkinson
As hokey as "Braveheart" and yet much more apocalyptic, Thanit Jitnukul's muscular jungle bloodbath outdoes Hollywood's recent efforts at combat ultra-realism. Read full review
70
Washington PostAnn Hornaday
A wartime epic in the most flamboyant, operatic tradition of the genre. Read full review
67
Seattle Post-IntelligencerSean Axmaker
Like a boulder bouncing down a long hill, the momentum keeps the film barreling along to the tragic inevitability promised in the opening titles. Read full review
60
Chicago ReaderJ.R. Jones
The battle scenes are bloody, visceral, and expertly edited, though arterial spray consumes so much screen time that the numerous subplots, involving 11 legendary Siamese defenders well-known to Thais, may feel perfunctory to Westerners despite some strong performances. Read full review
60
TV Guide MagazineKen Fox
It's easy to see why this violent, thrilling tale broke all box-office records in Thailand: Not only does it stir a sense of deep national pride, but Thanit delivers the goods when it comes to action. Read full review
50
Chicago TribuneRobert K. Elder
Might be best described as Thailand's version of "The Alamo." Read full review
50
The A.V. ClubKeith Phipps
The action, while busy, never produces much excitement, particularly since Thanit never gives the audience any reason to care about the characters, beyond their underdog status. Read full review
50
Boston GlobeJanice Page
Choppy, cheesy historical war epic really has only a couple of things going for it, and its biggest asset remains the heroic popular legend that inspired its making. Read full review
50
The New York TimesDave Kehr
No classic, but neither is it a joke. Read full review
50
San Francisco ChronicleG. Allen Johnson
While the battle scenes are impressive, they are repetitive; and while the characters are likable, they never rise above the level of cliche. Read full review
50
The Hollywood ReporterFrank Scheck
Far too bloody for the art house crowd and too leisurely paced and obscure for more general audiences. Read full review
40
Film ThreatPhil Hall
Wooden, one-dimensional epic. Read full review
30
Washington PostMichael O'Sullivan
It becomes, after a while, little more than a mind-numbing bloodbath. Read full review
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