Director: Oxide & Danny Pang
Starring: Pavarit Mongkolpisit, Premsinee Ratanasopha, Patharawarin Timkul
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Directed by Thai bothers Danny and Oxide Pang, Bangkok: Dangerous is a veritable assault on the senses, offering its audience a full 90 or so minutes packed with just as much violence, blood, guts and gunplay as you'll likely to see in any of it's Hong Kong counterparts. But unfortunately, for all their use of camera tricks, vibrant cinematography and expressionistic sound the Pangs are unable to offer us a whole lot more.
The film follows Kong (Pavarit Mongkolpisit), a deaf and dumb professional hitman whose life of remorseless killing is turned upside down when he falls in love with a girl from his local drugstore. Matters are complicated further by the rape of his partner's girlfriend and a treacherous boss who wants him dead. Through it all, Kong must decide whether to turn his back on a life of crime or go after his enemies in a blood soaked revenge fuelled only by hate. It shouldn't be hard to guess which path he chooses.
For the most part the Pangs' direction is generally above average. Their use of editing, in particular, is extremely innovative and does go towards making some truly creative moments. However, towards the movie's final reels their direction becomes much more conventional and the plot starts to fall into familiar John Woo-esque, Hong Kong action movie territory. Perhaps in the future with a little more money and a better cast the Pang Brothers will achieve great things, but for now their movie is destined for a place in the bargain bin of a video shop near you.
Reviewed by Simon Jones
Reader comments about Bangkok: Dangerous
Wan (Email address withheld) writes:
what an insulting review! it's probably because you're not Thai, that's why you don't understand it. personally, that movie moved me and showed me what a murderer's life is like (they are very common in thailand)
Sky (Email address withheld) writes:
Screw this review. I'm from HK and I was also moved. I am now in love with Thai and Korean movies, much more than HK crap.
This review was obviously done by some dumb white man who is easily awed by Jackie Chan's woo wee waaah movies and John Woo gunfight scenes.
Per. (Email address withheld) writes:
insulting or not,the fact remains that this review deals with commercial reality. who care where you're from or what you personally think of John Woo's films --at the end of the day, he is one of the few directors who has been able to break into the blockbuster market--however superficial that might be. so, no matter if this low budget flick moved you or not, be honest and admit that without the all-star cast and megabucks backing, you will be in the minority who bother to see it. Mr Jones, as far as i can see, appreciates that fact whilst simultaneously highlighting the positive aspects of the film and the areas where improvements might be made.
Ghost (Email address withheld) writes:
This was a different film and fairly stylish as well. It provided good entertainment. Worth watching.
Benny (Email address withheld) writes:
Bangkok: Dangerous is truly an incredible cinematic experience, displaying the same level of maturity as any of the classic Woo films such as 'A Better Tomorrow' or 'The Killer'. Although the plot sounds slightly convoluted or shallow, there are so many emotive and genuinely unconventional scenes that it should not be seen as merely a one-dimensional gory action flick. Despite not knowing of the true situation in Thailand, I was able to empathise with Mongkolpisit's character and was sincerely moved by the beautifully realised finale. For innovation it stands alongside films such as 'Nowhere to Hide'
Matt from UK (Email address withheld) writes:
I watched Bangkok Dangerous last night on TV, i was wearing a pair of headphones as well. I think the film was amazing, especially with its excellent use of camera angles and sound. The reviewer is right about the end part, where they start to use normal Action sequences and lose what they were using in the beginning. I think the ending is good though, it left me feeling totally moved.
Dan Gines (Email address withheld) writes:
I have to agree completely with everyone who posted with their reviews on this film. It's a fantastic film from the opening credits right to the moving finale. I too really felt for Kong and Fan too at the end.
This film is a cult movie, and if it is resigned to the bargain bin that is a reflection on the film watching public - and not a critisicm of the excellent film making of the Pang Brothers.
As a result of watching this film, i'll be taking a look at their other movies.
As for Per's comments :-
"no matter if this low budget flick moved you or not, be honest and admit that without the all-star cast and megabucks backing, you will be in the minority who bother to see it"
- Does this make it a bad movie ? I'll let the rest of you decide...
Doug (Email address withheld) writes:
first and foremost, good entertainment...
packs flair and editing genious.
characters are wonderfull to look at and lets not be too picky about our criticisms...
Jimbo in UK (Email address withheld) writes:
Great film, Thai style.
Don't listen to the critic - especially a farang one, listen to the reader comments so far.
Although it shows the seedier side of Thai life with its associated violence, what you will remember most & warms you to the film is the relationship between the two main characters, Kong and Fan - mmmmmmm Fan.
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