Directors Oxide Pang Chan and Danny Pang
"Bangkok Dangerous" sounds a bit familiar, and the reason for this is that the Pang brothers have done their own movie remake eight years on. However, when buying a ticket to "Bangkok Dangerous" one thing should be kept in mind, especially by those who have seen the original version 's this is not the same old good Thai movie. This is a fabulous American action film with the only thing left untouched 's the story of the hit man Joe, this time played by Nicolas Cage.
In the original movie, released in 2000, the killer was a young, deaf-mute Thai man. In the new version he is a white middle aged man "recommended by the Russians." The deaf-mute character appears in the form of a young pharmacist, Fon (Charlie Yeung).
However, Nicolas Cage's hero doesn't speak much either, he prefers to act. From the beginning, an outstanding performance by Cage should be mentioned 's there was no showing off or loud phrases, he is not playing the bad guy, he is the bad guy. The directors are not looking for the viewer to empathize with Joe, and this is barely possible after the first minutes of the movie show the real face of a cold-hearted killer.
In general, the movie has a quite oppressive impression 's not because it is bad, but because it was created with that in mind. Dark colors are spiced up with slow motion; everything is well planned and seems to be under control. Though the movie was filmed in Bangkok, it is clearly not advertising the city as a tourist destination. Nothing distracts from the plot and actors' performances.
At the very beginning, Joe's voiceover lays down four main principles 's don't ask questions, don't take an interest in anyone outside of work, erase every trace and know when to get out. Those principles are the base of the plot and its moral 's once you have principles set in your life, and if they are working, stick to them or face the consequences.
Joe is a professional killer who has arrived in Bangkok to complete his last order 's four killings. None of his clients have ever seen him, "no one knows who I am," and to keep himself isolated he hires a pick-pocket, Kong, to mediate.
However, at some point he lets him too close and this is where the problems start. Violating his own principle, he starts training him as a killer and becomes his mentor and a friend. A parallel plot line shows Joe falling in love with Fon.
Yeung's performance is also amazing considering that her hero is deaf-mute and only with her eyes can she express every single emotion. Without words, Fon manages get deep into Joe's heart and this is the beginning of the end. Both Fon and Kong influence Joe to re-evaluate his values, causing doubts and forcing him to make a mistake that costs him his life.
The whole movie plot, from the very beginning to the last minute, is well planned and consistent. There could be nothing said more or nothing less, every minute and every shot has a purpose. Amazing actors were able to show all the edges of emotion and how a human can change, even while staying the same.
This movie is for those who value action 's it succeeded through an actor's performance and the director's talent 's not by computerized special effects. The unhurried manner of narration does not in any way decrease the tension or action itself. It is an outstanding movie, both to watch on the big screen and to own on DVD.
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