Born To Fight [1986] / Thai Police Story [2-Disc Set] (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure There is some value to these films, because Panna Rittikrai's stunts and stunt direction are good--but the script, acting and production are extremely slipshod.
I've seen a lot worse films, but people impressed with the films of Rittikrai's disciple Tony Jaa should realize that Rittikrai is not at all the same kind of fighter and that the films he did earlier in his career are vastly more minor productions.
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I agree. Not much value here beyond the stunt work
Crying Freeman (product link) Action/Adventure / Martial Arts Not nearly as bad as HKFlix's reviewer states, but not nearly as good as some others state, either. When matching this film against "Drive", "Crying Freeman" will lose every time. When taken as a separate movie with ties to its manga series, it isn't a bad film, just not as exciting as it could have been.
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This is accurate. The film is a very modest success, and certainly no more.
Mark Dacascos plays the elusive assassin in Christopher Gans's live-action feature remake, based on the Japanese manga novel and anime series, Crying Freeman.
Fans of the franchise will love what Gans brings to the screen, with beautiful visual and artistic concept and execution, combined with a hypnotically resounding score to orchestrate the film's theme. Co-stars Rae Dawn Chong, Byron Mann, Tchéky Karyo, Masaya Kato, Julie Condra and Yôko Shimada all do wonderful jobs in bringing the story of Crying Freeman to life, to the best of their ability.
The action is adequately entertaining, although it does not necessarily do much justice for Hong Kong action fans, particularly, fans of the film, Drive: Director's Cut, which has ten times more electrifying action sequences with a higher standard for martial arts action set by the film's stunt team, Alpha Stunts.
Many of the film's fight scenes are shot in grandiose slow motion camerawork, which may put a damper on the expectations of those who have been around to see the crossover of Hong Kong action into the US; In which case, unless you're a fan of the franchise, the two modest sex scenes in the film should keep even the most jaded viewer awake for the film's duration ;-).
All in all, Crying Freeman is essentially an "art" action film, which has made its mark in martial arts cinema history; For modest and hardcore fans only.
OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS: "Xavier Gens's 'Hitman'", "Equilibrium", "Brotherhood Of The Wolf", "Naked Weapon", "Naked Killer", "Shadow Fury", "City Hunter", "Guyver: Dark Hero", "Fist Of The North Star", "Blade", "Blade 2", "The Ultimate Target", "The Princess Blade", "Legend Of The Wolf", "Drive: Director's Cut", "Soldier", "Black Mask", "Kill Bill", "LoveDeath", "Ryû ga gotoku: gekijô-ban (a.k.a. Like A Dragon)", and the upcoming action thriller, "Broken Path", starring Johnny Yong Bosch and directed by Koichi Sakamoto.
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This is the best film adaptation of the "Crying Freeman" manga. Unfortunately that's not saying much: The others are quite bad.
Excellent review of this movie. I couldn't have said it better myself! "art action-drama" is how I'd classify this movie. Great effort for a low budget. Falls short in a few places as mentioned in the review.
Chocolate [2008] (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure A pretty good movie with some awesome fighting in it. This girl knows how to fight. She kicks and flips all through the movie using little or no doubles. The action in this movie is spectacular and is probably only topped by Tony Jaa. Watch this if you like kung fu flix.
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YoMama is essentially correct. The action is only slightly inferior to Tony Jaa, while the other factors are superior.
Yes, its an awesome movie. I don't get these people who say the action sucked, or the story was lacking. The story was far better than Ong Bak, production values were better, and action just as entertaining.
Chocolate [2008] (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure Bravo! Yet another Thai action blockbuster. Good action and good story. In terms of action, I wasn't bored any second during the whole movie. I thought about giving it 4 stars all the time, but after the last huge fight which looked like it was cut from a 2-D coin-op action arcade, and which made my jaw fall down, I give it four and half.
This give this movie 4 and half stars is crazy talk. Did you watch the movie? the whole movie? or just the action? The movie is just a bunch of drag queens and there was no main villian. Watch the movie again and then review.
i totally agree i rated this film 4 and half stars and i found the film really entertaining and i am someone who watch's plenty of fu flix probably too many.
I agree with everyone else man this movie was not good- You should watch more fu flix, because the action in this film is not amazing & the way you explain it to be a 2-D coin up game- well I would really like my money back. This film fails in everything.
It was an all right picture the story was lacking any character development- the audience I saw it with couldn't really identify with the hero. The action looks great but the action scenes all look the same except for the jumping from sign to sign chase.
The film was very sloppy for a martial arts film. Plus this is the man that made Ong-Bak & the protector, Chocolate just ruins his streak of fu films. The fights were all boring, the film lacks thrills & story. It was not a 4 and half star movie.
Chocolate [2008] (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure "Chocolate" was an all right movie that features a new fighting talent, JeeJa Yanin. The film really should have focused on her talent more. The fights were great but nothing really amazing. The fights were basically her just dodging, punching and kicking guys, though the people she fought were really not that great or up to Jeeja Yanin standards--they could of filmed an awesome fight with somebody that knew how to fight.
Like I said before, the action is great but not amazing. So if you're an action fan then check this one out. But if you're a person that wants a good story with amazing action then pick up director Shunichi Nagasaki's "Kuro-Obi" aka "Black Belt".
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YoMama says it best. This is high quality entertainment, but makes no pretense of artistry.
I am glad you criticize this movie, but if anything you rate it to high. I am continually amused by the responses of people who act like it is heresy to claim this mildly entertaining is anything less than the greatest thing since sliced bread.
The movie does deliver action. The action is not amazing as we seen it done before. The story is very sloppy and it did feel long. I agree with "Black Belt" is a great & smart martial arts movie.
got to disagree with your review lets face it how many martial arts films have good story's there aint many most people watch them for the action so in my opinion this film serves its purpose.
Chocolate [2008] (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure
Fantastic fighting, of that there is no question. It's light on the stunts, but not entirely--most stunts are performed by the bad guys, falling off roofs and landing in the streets after bouncing off numerous ledges and signs, getting kicked through the air and then having having to land in-between very tight obstacles. It's very reminiscent of a Jackie Chan flick, especially POLICE STORY, in that respect. There's a little wire work, but VERY little. It looks hokey when it happens, but it happens a total of three maybe four moments throughout the whole film.
As for the fights, they're breathtaking, incredible leaps and flips and kicks by the new girl on the block, and, again like in a Chan film, the fighting is her vs. a whole bunch of guys again and again and again, but it's the setting/scenery and how she uses it that dintinguishes each action sequence. I'm baffled that some have said "they're all the same". And I feel like I must be from a different species than those who say the fighting wasn't well directed or performed. I have no idea what they expected, but this movie ranks with the first ONG-BAK and the best of HK martial arts (though TOM YOUNG GOONG is admittedly still the absolute king).
So...unless you've allowed yourself to become so jaded you've effectively ceased to think and become a stunted specimen of human ignorance, CHOCOLATE is a superb martial arts flick, one of the best, though no, not at all THE best. And the story is fun and unexpectedly complex for a fighting movie. It's cheesy, sure, but it's performed admirably by the actors and tries really hard for honest dramatics. It's not NOT a martial arts film, but this is as good as such films ever are on the story side of things.
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I'd rate this slightly higher, but your observations are good.
I agree with you 99% that this film has action, & nice fu scenes. I thought the characters & story we're weak on development, which overshadow all the fights. I did enjoy the last fight scene with the billboards-that was original & fun.
Chocolate [2008] (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure Great concept that is poorly executed. Looked like they made this film in two weeks. The fight scenes are not believable because the girl actor just looks too young and small.
Purchase at own risk.
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The star looks much younger than her true age, but her moves are very good. I enjoyed "Chocolate," so there.
I agree with your comments concerning the production values. And your second comment reminds me of the karate classes I took years ago. There were ten year old black belts in the class; I doubt they were gonna kick anyone's ass.
Chocolate [2008] (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure I've read a lot of mixed reviews about this film. Some say the plot is weak and others say the action is over the top and badly choreographed. Personally, I loved the film. I must admit the plot is weak to a certain extent, but the action definitely makes up for that. Jeeja Yanin's ability as a martial artist is incredible. She is without doubt in my opinion the best female action star I have seen in a long time. The last 25 minutes of the film is truly astonishing: the way she fights her way through 30 odd bad guys has to be seen to be believed. You can see as the credits roll there were a lot of injuries due to some crazy stunts, Jackie Chan style. I would say if, like me, you enjoyed "Ong-Bak" and "The Warrior King", then you should like this film. I just hope Jeeja Yanin goes on to make more films and not be a flash in the pan. What a waste of talent that would be.
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The film is entertaining from start to finish. It isn't a retread of anything else, but something very good in itself.
4 and half stars thats crazy talk. The movie does deliver good action but other then that it's just very bad on storytelling. But give me a break and watch the whole movie again and then review.
the movie was alright, nothing really amazing- the movie could of showcase JeeJa Yanin talent in a much better fu flick. and it's not def. 4 and half stars
Wheels On Meals (product link) Martial Arts / Comedy Great movie!! Definitely add to your Jackie Chan collection! A lot of great fight scenes! On par with the "Police Story" series, plus the usual Jackie Chan humor!
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I like Dragons Forever a tiny bit more than this one but....This movie is one of the best asian films of all time!
Definitely on of the best films of Jackie Chan's career. The other major players are great, and this movie contains what i would consider to be one of Jackie's very best fight scenes. Lots of fun to be had here.
Hard Boiled (product link) Action/Adventure / Bullet Ballet A must-have! I bought this DVD before it came out in America! Probably one of the best Chow Yun-Fat movies ever made! Goes along with the X-Box 360 video game as well!
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the last person who said this is the most overrated film in HK is just trying to get a rise out of people, this is one of John Woo's best
This movie was for many was the introduction to John Woo movies and we owe it a big debt! An excellent movie with fantastic stunts, a great story and compelling iconic characters..how many movies have a 20 min finale?
This film is an all-time great and not at all over-rated. I'm pretty sure "City On Fire" is more than one person because they write multiple contradictory reviews for the titles they review. Many of them are far from experts.
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