Tom Yum Goong aka "The Protector" (2006)

The Weinstein's have been screwing over martial arts cinema for along time now. For whatever reason, they have this inherent need to buy up any hot Asian film product, hold onto it for a long time, allow the hype to die down, then unnecessarily re-edit the film and release it in the USA with no marketing campaign. The latest project (victim?) the Weinstein's are releasing is "The Protector" starring Tony Jaa. Now, most of Southeast Asia would recognize this movie as "Tom Yum Goong", Tony Jaa's follow up to "Ong Bak". The movie is currently the number 2 highest grossing film in Thai history.

So, The Weinstein Company is now releasing their edited version this Friday. First of all, could you pick a worse title than "The Protector"? Why would you want to associate yourself with a 1980s movie starring Jackie Chan and Danny Aiello? That "protector" was single handedly responsible for souring Jackie Chan on the Hollywood movie making process for almost 20 years. Although, it also gave him the impetus to make "Police Story", which basically redefined Asian cinema forever. So some good came out of it.

But as far as "The Protector" 2006 is concerned, the plot is pure shit. Tony Jaa basically chases down his pet elephant who has been kidnapped by an evil syndicate based out of Australia. The acting, the plotting, and all the non action stuff is a clear step backwards from "Ong Bak". It can be painful at times to watch this movie, which is why I am not that disappointed that it is being "tightened up" for American audiences. There is really only one reason you should be going to see this movie...the action.

Tony Jaa and Panaa Rittikari (jaa's mentor and action choreographer) are setting a new standard for martial arts cinema.


Jet Li and Jackie Chan are shells of their former selves. They are putting out a lot of crap in the twilight of their careers. I hope they are inspired by what is coming out of Thailand to actually make something of quality again.

I know that may sound surprising, but its no hyperbole. The action quotient is just exponentially higher in TYG/Protector vs. Ong Bak. Jaa is just friggin' unbelievable. The things he does are just awe inspiring and jaw dropping. The brutality that was very prevalent in Ong Bak's fight scenes is definitely preserved here. One sequence stands out in my mind as a instant competitor for best fight scene ever. Jaa fights a capoiera expert in a buddhist temple around the halfway point of the movie. The choreography is insane. The fight beats are just so perfect and on key. And, the guy Jaa fights looks a helluva lot like Eddy Gordo from Tekken. There are several other fights that are very memorable and just pure fun to watch, but keep an eye out for the temple scene.

If you like action movies, you will not be disappointed. The story can be grating and does actually detract from the overall experience to a certain extent, but I promise you will leave the theater feeling sore because so much ass is kicked by Jaa. Also, The RZA is composing a score for the movie, which I am actually pretty anxious to hear.

And for those curious, Jaa's next project will be "Ong Bak 2" directed by Jaa himself, but will bear no relation to Ong Bak's story. Apparently, it will be set in the old timey days.

GO WATCH "THE PROTECTOR" THIS WEEKEND.