Ong Bak
Magnolia Pictures | Release Date: February 11, 2005
8.3
USER SCORE
Universal acclaim based on 146 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
123
Mixed:
10
Negative:
13
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
10
JanardanM.Aug 30, 2005
The best martial arts action since Bruce Lee. Tony Jaa's style is brutal and beautiful at the same time. Equal parts visceral intensity and mind blowing finesse. Ladies and Gentlemen, meet the future of action.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
trenchSep 5, 2005
Jaas performance was A+ His performance ranks right up there with the legendary Bruce Lee.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
SarahV.Oct 23, 2007
This Muay Thai fighting movie is one of the best ORIGINALS..no strings attached,no computer effects,and best of all the stunt man himself is the main character.So no two different people playing the same character.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
RirenFeb 2, 2007
A wildly entertaining martial arts battle film featuring one extremely talented martial artist, and one equally talented comic foil. The people who hate this movie for its plot don't understand why this sort of movie is made. Tony A wildly entertaining martial arts battle film featuring one extremely talented martial artist, and one equally talented comic foil. The people who hate this movie for its plot don't understand why this sort of movie is made. Tony Jaa's wire-free antics are a greater spectacle than most CGI studios could hope to render.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
SamAug 2, 2008
The fight scenes make Jackie Chan and Jet Li look like over-payed amateurs, but the story could have been better. No emmy nominee, but it'll get your blood pumpin.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
6
JamesMDec 20, 2005
It was an okay movie with good action scenes to boot.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
YimS.Sep 3, 2005
A masterpiece ! Thai martial arts will never be the same !
0 of 0 users found this helpful
0
NygunB.Sep 29, 2006
His other movies were better.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
sebastianl.Sep 23, 2005
I give it an "F" For FUN!!! As long as you don't expect the storytelling of Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon or Hero you will have a good time with this martial arts action pic.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
TobiasKDec 27, 2005
Well what can i say, This movie has got to be one of the highlights of 2005 and Tony Jaa is one of a kind for sure, the next movie starring Tony Jaa is called "Tom Yum Goong" watch it tsrust me it is SPECTACULAR !!!
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
JollyRogerOmniJul 23, 2011
One of those surprise films that re-invigorated the martial arts genre in the middle of the decade. It had a good story which helped it stand out from the pack. The stunts were top notch which helped it hang with some of the best martial artsOne of those surprise films that re-invigorated the martial arts genre in the middle of the decade. It had a good story which helped it stand out from the pack. The stunts were top notch which helped it hang with some of the best martial arts films of all time. The acting is what you would expect but everything else, and it's re-watchability, make Ong Bak an instant classic.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
KenmeiMay 25, 2014
This is a terrific action movie that was ruined by its sequels. The fighting and the action here are wonderful and the storyline doesn't get in the way of what people go to watch this movie for: The wonderful fight scenes. This movie is trulyThis is a terrific action movie that was ruined by its sequels. The fighting and the action here are wonderful and the storyline doesn't get in the way of what people go to watch this movie for: The wonderful fight scenes. This movie is truly a delight when you're looking for something fun and exciting to watch. Definitely don't watch the sequels to this movie as it will lose alot of its luster if you do. Stick with the original and you can't go wrong.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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9
AGYPMar 10, 2015
If I were to rate this movie just on the action, I'd give it a 10, but looking at the whole story line, it's a bit lame. Tong Jaa has some real talent, would be nice to get him to Hollywood someday.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
dead_beat_daveOct 29, 2014
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 pairMartial 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 a piece of garbage.
Gaps in the fighting sequences and landscape fills play out like a painful Jackie Chan overdub without the Chan. Suphachai Sittiaumponpan manages to produce a script which almost ruins this film; though it is difficult to place blame for this abhorrent piece of writing, as the story originated with Prachya Pinkaew - a director who should not be involved in story making!

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.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
IRONK1979Jan 30, 2018
Great action sequences and no CG. Tony Jaa is a great martial arts practitioner.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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