In a Nutshell. Mini reviews of movies old and new. No fuss. No spoilers. And often no sleep.

Tuesday 14 October 2014

Ong Bak 3 (2010)

OB 3 continues the story of OB 2 (2008), so it’s a prequel sequel. It goes something like this: Fight / story / Torture / Flashback / Mystical Bullshit / Fight / Dream / Fight / Flashback / Fight / Fight / Fight /  End.
I noticed partway through that even though it’s an incoherent mess as a standalone film, it begins to make sense when paired with the test of endurance that was OB 2. Whereas it was focussed primarily on aggression, OB 3 is focussed more on spiritual rebirth, both of which are traits found in Jaa’s character in the original film (2003). It managed to make OB 2 relevant! Was that the plan all along? It doesn't change the fact that separately both films are unsatisfying, but when viewed as two halves of a whole they at least help prop each other up.

1 sharp elbow out of 5

No comments: