The Protector

[MOVIE STUNTS]

Ok so this movie doesn't have much going for it story wise, but what it lacks in story it more than makes up for in action. And like Ong-Bak before it, doesn't let you down whare it counts. And whare it counts is action. Tony Jaa delivers real time no cut and paste fight scenes, no cheesy wire work, here just the real deal.

Check out american release trailer.

http://www.apple.com/trailers/weinstein/theprotector/hd/

[The Machinist]

Tony Jaa is pretty awesome.

[wesley]

i've seen some scenes from this where it looks like they did a very long fighting scene without cutting. at least it looked to me as if they didn't cut it anywhere. looked really impressive.

but mostly its just a stupid action movie worth watching for the fight scenes

[Super Trooper]

Ong-bak ruled.

This looks awesome.

i hate the milktoast name they gave it though.

Tom yum goong (sp?) was so much better.

[MOVIE STUNTS]

Towards the end there is a un-cut fight scene, whare he travels up large spiraling staircase, busting heads and tossing guys over the side. One thing i like about this movie over Ong-Bak(If that's possible) Is there are alot more dislocations and bone breaks, adding to the overall visceral effect.... Again movie sucks action rocks.

[Alex DePew]

Ong Bak was very cool, story sucked, action and stunts blew my mind so bad I was picking up pieces for a week.

I just wish there could be more Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, House of Flying Daggers, Hero type movies made. I hope this next Jet Li movie, which will be awesome no matter what, is in this vein.

[MOVIE STUNTS]

Are you talking about Fearless, it was ok. If it makes you happy it is in the same vein.

[Alex DePew]

Are you talking about Fearless, it was ok. If it makes you happy it is in the same vein.

Yup that's the one. It does make me happy as long as the story was okay to good and the fighting was well done and added to the story. Was this already released in HK or elsewhere first? I might be reading you wrong, but are you not a fan of those movies?

Also, I like martial arts movies and will accept a bad story as long as it doesn't annoy me. Which for me excludes most recent Jackie Chan movies.

[BLUESPIDER]

Phuck the story!

Phuck the acting!

But the action is pretty phucken impressive!

:)

[MOVIE STUNTS]

Yup that's the one. It does make me happy as long as the story was okay to good and the fighting was well done and added to the story. Was this already released in HK or elsewhere first? I might be reading you wrong, but are you not a fan of those movies?

Also, I like martial arts movies and will accept a bad story as long as it doesn't annoy me. Which for me excludes most recent Jackie Chan movies.
I love those movies don't get me wrong, but the flying around wire work garbage makes me want to puke. Whare you have good action you don't need flying around to distract from it IMO.

[GageFX]

The production value and story on The Protector looks weak, but that fight footage is great.

My lead actress (16 yr old) has been in fight trainging for 6 months now and she is learning all her fights as close contact and full routines. There will be few camera angle cheats and she will have full 2-3 minute non-stop scenes (that is alot of fighting) run uncut. And there are numerous in the film. No slomo closeups, just hard hitting action.

See this thread with some brief training footage used for shuuter speed tests.

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=68667

The fight sequence and sword sequence are just two parts of a 3-4 minute scene that will be shot uncut. There are a lot of moves and some work better from different angles (she's 5'1" and her standing round kick to the head of a 6'1" male is gorgeous) and need to be covered for aesthetics. Also, storywise, we will need a couple cuts. But we will never use cuts or closeups to cover moves.

In the first clip above - the fight footage, the sound was left out, but if it were there, you wouldn't need punch sound effects. That's a 90 lb girl blocking full strikes from a 22 yr martial artist.

I showed her the Protector trailer today and she got jazzed. She wants to try some of the stuff. But her character is kickass, not all acrobatic. In the scene posted above, her opponent goes all Darth Maul on her and she just lays a smackdown. It's good stuff.

The Protector looks great though. I cant wait. I bought Ong-Bak after I saw the trailer in the theater a few weeks ago but haven't had the time to get to it.

-GageFX

[Huy Vu]

I saw the original Thai version and I was totally blow away. Yeah, the story pretty much sucked but thankfully the director realized that we really don't give a crap about the story anyway and focused on what counts: the action. That uncut scene that everyone was talking about is nearly 4 minutes long! Tony Jaa kicks some serious ass.

I saw Fearless as well and that was equally great. Unfortunately the version I saw was trimmed for American release which leaves a lot of gaping hole in the storyline. Too bad it's Jet Li's last martial art film.

[Kirk Gillock]

Saw the movie about a year ago. As everyone already said the story (and acting) sucks. The few foreigners they have on screen looked like they were just pulled off the street and given some lines to read. Really bad acting and dialogue. "Where's MY elephant?!?!"

This was mentioned earlier, but there is a fight scene towards the end that is unreal. Basically, Tony Jaa is going up a 5 or 6 story building that has an interior atrium (so you can see all the floors from the inside). He makes his way up the entire building (non-stop/no cuts) fighting about 50 people along the way. The entire scene lasts about 4 minutes. Which is a long time for a fight scene with no breaks. The choreography must have taken weeks and the steadicam operator had to have been as tough as Tony Jaa to follow him around like that.

If you want more information on Tony Jaa you can visit http://www.tonyjaa.org . Tony even sometimes posts there. And if you look closely on their site you might even see a familar logo (wink, wink). :)

[Kholi]

Saw the movie about a year ago. As everyone already said the story (and acting) sucks. The few foreigners they have on screen looked like they were just pulled off the street and given some lines to read. Really bad acting and dialogue. "Where's MY elephant?!?!"

This was mentioned earlier, but there is a fight scene towards the end that is unreal. Basically, Tony Jaa is going up a 5 or 6 story building that has an interior atrium (so you can see all the floors from the inside). He makes his way up the entire building (non-stop/no cuts) fighting about 50 people along the way. The entire scene lasts about 4 minutes. Which is a long time for a fight scene with no breaks. The choreography must have taken weeks and the steadicam operator had to have been as tough as Tony Jaa to follow him around like that.

If you want more information on Tony Jaa you can visit http://www.tonyjaa.org . Tony even sometimes posts there. And if you look closely on their site you might even see a familar logo (wink, wink). :)

That last scene is crazy. That's how I always envisioned something like that. Just a non-stop fist fest.

[Kirk Gillock]

Here's some recent footage of Tony Jaa in New York, showing off for the crowd.

http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=24274

[spidey]

yeah it a shitty storyt but delievries the fights.

[MOVIE STUNTS]

The production value and story on The Protector looks weak, but that fight footage is great.

My lead actress (16 yr old) has been in fight trainging for 6 months now and she is learning all her fights as close contact and full routines. There will be few camera angle cheats and she will have full 2-3 minute non-stop scenes (that is alot of fighting) run uncut. And there are numerous in the film. No slomo closeups, just hard hitting action.

See this thread with some brief training footage used for shuuter speed tests.

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=68667

The fight sequence and sword sequence are just two parts of a 3-4 minute scene that will be shot uncut. There are a lot of moves and some work better from different angles (she's 5'1" and her standing round kick to the head of a 6'1" male is gorgeous) and need to be covered for aesthetics. Also, storywise, we will need a couple cuts. But we will never use cuts or closeups to cover moves.

In the first clip above - the fight footage, the sound was left out, but if it were there, you wouldn't need punch sound effects. That's a 90 lb girl blocking full strikes from a 22 yr martial artist.

I showed her the Protector trailer today and she got jazzed. She wants to try some of the stuff. But her character is kickass, not all acrobatic. In the scene posted above, her opponent goes all Darth Maul on her and she just lays a smackdown. It's good stuff.

The Protector looks great though. I cant wait. I bought Ong-Bak after I saw the trailer in the theater a few weeks ago but haven't had the time to get to it.

-GageFX
So what is your movie about, and when does it come out?

[MOVIE STUNTS]

I saw Fearless as well and that was equally great. Unfortunately the version I saw was trimmed for American release which leaves a lot of gaping hole in the storyline. Too bad it's Jet Li's last martial art film.
How is it his last martial arts film?

[MOVIE STUNTS]

Here's some recent footage of Tony Jaa in New York, showing off for the crowd.

http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=24274
Ok there's an asian guy... Doing things Tony Jaa would do. My problem is his mannerisms, and the way he holds himself in this clip don't appear to be Tony Jaa. Is it just me, I don't see the camera zoom in... even for a second at the end? Conspiracy? Maybe.

[Huy Vu]

How is it his last martial arts film?

I believe that Jet Li stated in interviews that Fearless will be the last action film he will do.

[MOVIE STUNTS]

Interesting i never heard that. do you have a link?

[spidey]

from what i hear him and jackie arnt retire from action movies just huge martial art epics. like once upon a time in china and drunken master type film. films where it totally focues on martial arts. jet li wants to move on to more serious films and so does jackie. plus both hae risked their lives for so long and broken everything (i mean jackie can't get insurance ever)

in either case i love them and thier workso i hope for the best for them.

[GageFX]

Just got back from this today. One of the worst films ever. Writing, acting, directing - horrible. I imagine some of the actors might actually be good actors, but the writing was so horrendous. It's also hard to tell as it's dubbed, and dubbed voice over translation acting always seems to be horible.

The fights were great, though. Not all, but most. Some laughable, alot of repetition in the moves, some some really great choreography and fighting for contact/close contact film fighting.

Oh dear lord the movie is horrid, though. See it. You'lllove it.

-GageFX

[FilmMakerr]

Fearless was amazing, not just okay.

[MOVIE STUNTS]

Fearless was amazing, not just okay.
No it was just ok, I think you may be stuck in after movie haze, give it a few hours it will wear off.:smile:

[MOVIE STUNTS]

Just got back from this today. One of the worst films ever. Writing, acting, directing - horrible. I imagine some of the actors might actually be good actors, but the writing was so horrendous. It's also hard to tell as it's dubbed, and dubbed voice over translation acting always seems to be horible.

The fights were great, though. Not all, but most. Some laughable, alot of repetition in the moves, some some really great choreography and fighting for contact/close contact film fighting.

Oh dear lord the movie is horrid, though. See it. You'lllove it.

-GageFX
Yeah. it's a love hate thing.

[FilmMakerr]

No it was just ok, I think you may be stuck in after movie haze, give it a few hours it will wear off.:smile:

lol..well, I've never been a kung fu movie guy, Fearless was probably my third TRUE Kung Fu movie, (Jackie Chan stuff doesn't count).

So I guess it was love at first sight :grin:


But, in the past week Ive watched: Iron Monkey, Fearless, Hero, and got some more to go. Ong Baks on my list

[MOVIE STUNTS]

Ong-Bak will blow you away. Story wise i like Fearless, action wise it was kinda weak. Of course story wise Ong-Bak sucked but the action hit so hard I didn't care.

[GageFX]

I bought Ong Bak a few weeks ago, but haven't watched it yet. I was telling a friend about The protector last night and he said "Tony Jaa just sucks. It's the same two moves over and over again. HE almost cant do anything but flying knees and flying elbows to the head." I said "You saw The Protector?" He said "No. That's Ong Bak."

Well, it's the Protector too. It kinda annoyed me that he just used the same moves over and over for the whole movie, but I just went with it. Now I find out its the same two moves for two straight films. Boring.

I have no desire to see Ong Bak now. I feel I've already seen it.

-GageFX

[Justin Kuhn]

I keep thinking about that last part of the trailer where he jumps off the building and hits the guy hanging off of the helicopter with his knees.

[MOVIE STUNTS]

Same two moves wtf, did you even watch either one? BTW the stunts were top notch also, you won't find anything that cool in hollywood. The guy is obviously a muay thai kickboxer, thus you will see elbows and knees thrown which is obviously not something you see in most action flicks. I guess that may be the reason it sticks out so much in your heads. Watching it there is obviously more to the fights than gratuitous elbow and knee combinations.

[GageFX]

As stated, I saw this one, I did not see Ong Bak. Agreed about the stunts. Agreed about the techniques used in Muay Thai, I'm more than very familiar, I'm just stating how it comes across in a film. Very redundant. Actually, a bit ridiculous. Effective, sure, but lets see something else. There was alot of great stuff in his first fight scene when he busted up that ?party?, but there was much repitition. If it's a real fight, or Mortal Combat, do what you have to do to win, even if it's throwing Scorpian's chain-spike thing over and over, but if it's to entertain audiences that would like to see something other than flying knees and elbows to the head for a whole film, let's let try a few other things.

Just as an example. In my current project, we have taught my lead in (at least, I know I'm forgetting one) 5 different styles in order to keep things exciting and non-redundant. She's a 5'1, 95 lb female so she would be elbowing and kneeing almost entirely in real life, but that's boring. We've tried our best to keep it as "real" as possible, but we have also done our best to put Sub-Zero's Freeze Ball away and try some other moves. (I dont know your age, but I hope you follow.)

As for the comparison of the two films, I have Ong Bak next to my bed, I'll pop it in tonight. I'm just saying I heard it was 99% flying knees and elbows, and I know from eye witness that Protector is 99% knees and elbows. Since I was there only for the fight scenes/stunts, as the story is complete poo-poo (and I'm sure Ong-Bak's is also, but we'll see tonight) the fight scenes came across as redundant and run of the mill. Also, as this film makes it apparent he is to take over Chan's spot in action, I'm even less impressed.

He's a talented guy and it was a fun movie, just boring.

-GageFX

[MOVIE STUNTS]

These are just a few of my observations after seeing nearly every noteworthy martial arts/ action movie out there. What will you find in any of them Weapons, Punching, Kicking, Grapling,... If this is the standard for action martial arts movies what do we say of movies that posess all of the above in addition, there are few that throw anything else into the mix, such as knees, elbows, acrobatics, phenominal stunt work, most in realtime without cuts. I don't know what kind of an authority, your friend is or claims to be on action/martial arts films... But if they said that all they saw was 99%, elbows and knees, and you mirror thier view, all I can think is that you should pay more attention.

[GageFX]

Ok. You are right.

I just saw Ong Bak , and The Protector is not the most ridiculous movie I've ever seen, Ong Bak is. We laughed all the way through. You can use that movie as a lesson in what to avoid in making an action/fight film. Ridiculous.


don't know what kind of an authority, your friend is or claims to be on action/martial arts films...

"Authority"? He's a guy that watched the film. He is an authority on his opinion of the film and what he saw. He is a fan of the genre and has seen them all. ("Them all" to be taken in the same vein as "99%". It might not be 100% accurate, but is close enough to get the point.)

As for paying more attention, Ong Bak did me the favor of replaying almost every move 3 times from different angles (sign of a great fight film) so they gave me a couple extra chances per move to really digest what I was seeing. And what I was seeing was ridiculous.

99% flying knees and elbows, times 3 angles per move....

= 297% Flying Knees and Elbows in Ong Bak.

Ong Bak is the winner!!

I remember when Lionheart and Bloodsport came out. That was the coolest. I was in highschool then and obviously retarded, I know better now when I'm looking at exactly the same thing. (Yeah, yeah, Tony's better than Van Damme, but they are still bad movies with bad stories and bad acting and ridiculous fighting. Tony's just a better real fighter and the stunts are better. But the movies are still crap (cr@p).) (And I cant figure out why "crap" is underlined. It wont ununderline. Weird.)

If you want some mindless martial arts fun, see the movies. Ong Bak was a great laugh, Protector was much more painful, but their fun stuff. I think you may just be caught up in the hype.

As for "Same two moves wtf, did you even watch either one?": Now that I have seen both, I can confidently say "Yes, they are the same movie. It's just that Ong Bak was funnier. They used the sped up camera speeds in post to greater comedic effect. But story - "Give me back my elephant/statue head so I can go back home or I'll kill anyone that stands in my way...." Yeah, same movie. And it was comforting too as all the same actors were in each. I didnt have to have all that pesky getting used to different actors thing.

As for the "realtime without cuts", no big deal. Yes, I agree it's not done much. Not done enough. Which is why going into training for my film, the #1 rule was all fight scenes would be learned and choreographed as complete scenes, not individual moves for trick angles, slow-mo hits and multiple replay of the finishing move - or any move in between. The fights in my project are as real as possible while still holding the fiction of the situation and I have a 16 yr old, 5'1, 90 lb girl who had never had a second of fight training in her life before the film doin 4 minute, almost full contact fights. She's brilliant and leaves fight training with bruised forarms from blocking full punches and elbows from trained fighters, bruised shins from shin on shin kicks and blocks, bloody elbows from throwing elbows, and this doesnt even include her full speed full contact field hockey stick vs. shanai sword fight. Yes, Tony Jaa's fight scenes are some of the best we've seen in a while. Yes, the non-worework, real stuunts is what attracted me to The Protector. I wasnt a Tony Jaa fanatic, or Ong Bak fan, I was a guy who saw a trailer with obviously real stunt and fight work and I went to see the flic. What I saw was ridiculous. And you dont have to be an "authority" on anything to see that. It was there on the 50 foot screen (with a 1/3 full house at a mid afternoon matinee in the biggest auditorium in a very popluar L.A. theater, opening weekend.... someone severely misread the audience numbers for the film) for all to see.

And when I want to see spectacular acrobatics, I'll go see the latest Cirque de Soliel in Vegas. I prefer fighting in my fight movies. (But some of the acrobatic moves were pretty cool, just a bit ridiculous.)

Anyway, glad you enjoyed it. You are obviously a Tony Jaa fan, and that's cool. I didnt enjoy it. I'm pretty sure I still have that right. The Taliban hasn't taken that away from me, have they?

It's all good fun, Mr. Movie Stunts. Lighten up and let others have their opinions. I'm sure you are the action/martial arts authority you claim to be (do they have courses at the Learning Annex?), but my friends and I enjoy movies, just not always, and just not always for the same reasons you do.

-GageFX

[MOVIE STUNTS]

Wow I can't wait to see your 90 pound, 5'1" 16 year old, tear it up. I'm sure you and your friends will think it's revolutionary. Good luck.

[GageFX]

Lol. I just love it when the ad hominems start. Exposes the mentality we're really dealing with. Was a tad obvious from the getgo, though.

Enjoy your life.

-GageFX

[Nathyn]

Ong Bak was very cool, story sucked, action and stunts blew my mind so bad I was picking up pieces for a week.

I just wish there could be more Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, House of Flying Daggers, Hero type movies made. I hope this next Jet Li movie, which will be awesome no matter what, is in this vein.
I have to see this film. I can't compete with Tony Jaa, but I'm sure I can snatch a few moves. And as for "Fearless" this is Jet Li's last film of this type. He will continue to do martial arts films but because of an old back injury his doctor says he can no longer do the wire stunts and all that stuff.


Ok. You are right.

I just saw Ong Bak , and The Protector is not the most ridiculous movie I've ever seen, Ong Bak is. We laughed all the way through. You can use that movie as a lesson in what to avoid in making an action/fight film. Ridiculous.
If this is how "not" to make an action film I guess it will just have to be a bad example because I will be studying it.


But story - "Give me back my elephant/statue head so I can go back home or I'll kill anyone that stands in my way...." Yeah, same movie. And it was comforting too as all the same actors were in each. I didnt have to have all that pesky getting used to different actors thing.
But everyone who knows the plot of this film knew this coming in. I haven't seen the film yet and even I knew what to expect. They went to see the fighting.

As for the "realtime without cuts", no big deal.
For hardcore fight fans it is.

Yes, I agree it's not done much. Not done enough. Which is why going into training for my film, the #1 rule was all fight scenes would be learned and choreographed as complete scenes, not individual moves for trick angles, slow-mo hits and multiple replay of the finishing move - or any move in between. The fights in my project are as real as possible while still holding the fiction of the situation and I have a 16 yr old, 5'1, 90 lb girl who had never had a second of fight training in her life before the film doin 4 minute, almost full contact fights.
I would love to see a badass chick pull this off but keep in mind film is a visual medium and cool looking shots help sell a fight. It's hard to get really pretentious of a martial art film without really knowing what sells them. Many of Don the Dragon Wilsons fights look real but bad choreo (moreso bad direction) hurts the fights in his films.

She's brilliant and leaves fight training with bruised forarms from blocking full punches and elbows from trained fighters, bruised shins from shin on shin kicks and blocks, bloody elbows from throwing elbows, and this doesnt even include her full speed full contact field hockey stick vs. shanai sword fight.
I know this feeling. A movie fight with Brian Kung is like being in a real fight. But keep in mind Tony Jaa never said he did any other style than Muy Thai Kickboxing. So what you'll get is actually more than you normally get. In most films you'll get three things, punches, kicks and throws (maybe). In this you get knees and elbows thrown into the mix plus wireless stuntwork. (We don't use wires either, even though people believe Kung does, he doesn't).

Yes, Tony Jaa's fight scenes are some of the best we've seen in a while. Yes, the non-worework, real stuunts is what attracted me to The Protector. I wasnt a Tony Jaa fanatic, or Ong Bak fan, I was a guy who saw a trailer with obviously real stunt and fight work and I went to see the flic. What I saw was ridiculous.
Ridiculous? Because he used the moves that his style dictates? He never said he was Bruce Lee nor that he adapted to anything. Have you ever seen Muy Thai ring boxing, this is what he did except in a stylized Hollywood fashion, so how can it be ridiculous. The stunt work was done for our enjoyment. We knew it was put there for spectacle not because real fights take great acrobatics. But if you want real fights you should be watching UFC or ESPN martial arts stuff.

And when I want to see spectacular acrobatics, I'll go see the latest Cirque de Soliel in Vegas. I prefer fighting in my fight movies. (But some of the acrobatic moves were pretty cool, just a bit ridiculous.)
I understand this is your opinion but you do know many martial arts fans love acrobatics mixed with martial arts right. Even I get thrown over and do a cartwheel kick or so. Many of my guys went over (off the ground) for the throws and Brian comes in doing mid-air kicks, off the wall flips and kip-ups.

-Nate

[GageFX]

sounds cool, Nathyn. Can't wait to see it. I believe there is a place for all the different styles of film, I just didn't like there films. Probably all the hype which they don't live up to.

As for the editing style, all the quick cuts usual point to poor choreography and single notes as opposed to full fights. Protector is obviously not like that as evidenced by the 5 minute uncut fight, but beyond that I was barely impressed. And I'm not a hater, I went go wanting it to kick butt.

- GageFX

[Nathyn]

As for the editing style, all the quick cuts usual point to poor choreography and single notes as opposed to full fights.
Transporter was all quick cuts but can you honestly say it was choreographed poorly? Quick cutting is simply the modern style. Trust me, I've been there. In my first film you see the difference from what I'm doing now and we did quick cuts in both. Cutting rarely makes up for really bad choreo.

You have to have something to start with before you cut and if you start with bad choreo you end with bad choreo. And honestly I like to see moves so after I'm set off by the scene, later I can pause and do slow-mo to get to see what actually happened. There's a scene in Blade 2 where Snipes so kicks over a guys head, but it's done so well you never see it. BTW, whose the girl in your flick? I love chick fighters. I got a few in mine.

-Nate

[GageFX]

Nathyn, sorry, it was late and I think I only skimmed your post last night. I'll reread and repost tonight.

As for my girl, almost nothing is being released of the project for now. In due time. She is the girl go all the stills and clips I've posted, though. And she's not a fighter, she's an actress who has been tought to fight - damn well. And I think that will also be the big difference - I actually have actors in my film.

Finally, it's a drama with action, not a fight or martial arts film. But our 8 months of top level fight, weapons, firearm, and tactics training gives you an idea of what we are putting into this.

- GageFX

[GageFX]

Oh. I just realized you edited it this morning. I'm sure my response was to what you originally posted last night.

And who is this Alex character and why is he stealing my quotes? (joking. I get what happened)


I can't compete with Tony Jaa, but I'm sure I can snatch a few moves.

:thumbsup:


If this is how "not" to make an action film I guess it will just have to be a bad example because I will be studying it.

Bad example for an action film, IMO. Not necessarily for a fight film or martial arts film. So much action, be it car chases or fight scenes, and even random places, was sped up to make it look faster and more difficult. That's cheap, cheating, boring, and ridiculous. CG Neo fighting the 80,000 CG Agent Smiths in whatever bad sequal that was - ridiculous. Things done poorly = ridiculous to me.


But everyone who knows the plot of this film knew this coming in. I haven't seen the film yet and even I knew what to expect. They went to see the fighting.

I had no idea of the story. No idea what to expect. It shouldnt be that hard to through a decent stiry and decent storytelling into the repetitive fighting.



Quote:
Originally Posted by Alex DePew
As for the "realtime without cuts", no big deal.

For hardcore fight fans it is.


Ah, you misunderstood. "no big deal" as in "No big deal to ACCOMPLISH." I think it's a HUGE deal to make a good action or fight flic. Hence the preparation for my film.


I would love to see a badass chick pull this off but keep in mind film is a visual medium and cool looking shots help sell a fight. It's hard to get really pretentious of a martial art film without really knowing what sells them. Many of Don the Dragon Wilsons fights look real but bad choreo (moreso bad direction) hurts the fights in his films.

Very visual. Hence, super hot chica kicking arse. But work that camera so you dont have to cut to a close up for a hit that you cant make look real any other way. There's cheesy crap, and there's interesting camera work. (I was going to say corny crap, but that hits a little too close to home after last night's dinner.)


But keep in mind Tony Jaa never said he did any other style than Muy Thai Kickboxing. Agreed. And that was the first thing I said to my friend when he complained of all the knees and elbows. I assumed he was talking about Protector and said "he's a Muay Thai kickboxer. that's his style." Then he mentioned, no, in Ong Bak, and that's when I thought - "Great, that's his style, but it gets old." And it did. But that's just my opinion. Fantastic if you gys like it, but it's the same reason myslef and the rest of the box office tired of Jackie Chan. More of the same. Sure he's jumping in and out of a ladder this film instead of a shopping cart, and I really enjoyed and respected Jackie's work, but as a film goer, it got boring.


Ridiculous? Because he used the moves that his style dictates? No. It was just a silly movie. Silly story, silly acting, silly writing, silly directing, and some kick ass fights mixed in with mostly silly repetitive fights. The thing is, you have no problem watching the same thing over and over. I dont like to. It doesnt make either one of us wrong, it's just what we like. Should be return to the "Jessica Biel's ass" debate?


I understand this is your opinion but you do know many martial arts fans love acrobatics mixed with martial arts right. Even I get thrown over and do a cartwheel kick or so. Many of my guys went over (off the ground) for the throws and Brian comes in doing mid-air kicks, off the wall flips and kip-ups. I understand this. I'm only talking for myself here. Why do people think I'm trying to represent the universe?

As for the acrobatics, I have it in my film too. And the acrobatic fighter gets his ass whooped by a level headed fighter. Flipping is not fighting, and I'm interested in fighting. I realize there is a place for everything. Jaa fits in his niche. I just prefer something else. And, if you go back to the beginning, I say I enjoyed it - more so than all the Sonny Chiba movies I forced myself to sit through. And I really enjoyed and respected the performers in Red Trousers. They have their place. I just prefer something else. That isnt too hard to understand, is it? I'm not trying to convert anyone away from this type of action, I'm just giving my opinion on it. I have to assume that's okay.

Great conversation, Nathyn. I look forward to more. (Probably the least sarcastic line in this post.

-GageFX

[g0ldenb0y55]

Wow! Great debate on this thread! GageFX, can't wait to see how your film comes out! With the time and efforts spent on it, I'm sure it'll be top notch!

For the Topic at hand... I love martial arts, Tony Jaa is the man, and I saw the Protector a year ago just like PK did and thought it was pretty awesome!

Just my opinion...

[MOVIE STUNTS]

Gotta love back tracking.

[GageFX]

Gotta love back tracking.


Oh dear lord the movie is horrid, though. See it. You'll love it.

You've never seen a movie so bad it's entertaining?

But feel free to obsess. Christian Bale was great in this movie too. Gotta give it to him.

-GageFX

[GageFX]

Thanks Golden. We're working hard. The whole cast and crew is great, giving it their all.

-GageFX

[MOVIE STUNTS]

Ouch... Gayfx, Unless the title of your movie is The Protector you should probably quit the thread hijack, and move along.

[GageFX]

Ouch... Gayfx, :-BlackEye(DBG



Lol. :grin: :grin: :grin:

I love the internet. It's so fun. Thanks Al Gore.

-GageFX

[MOVIE STUNTS]

LOL, oops... mistype.

[BryantStanton]

That 4 minute fight scene with no cuts was just impressive. I read on imdb that it took 6 takes and Tony Jaa was exhausted by the end and had to keep taking smelling salts before the new takes because it was so draining. Dedication!

[SPZ]

I'm not that impressed with Tony Jaa. I have seen Ong Bak, and it just didn't felt as exciting as, for example, Bloodsport, Kickboxer or Lionheart.(Jean Claude Van Damme)

Even tough Tony Jaa can be an excelent fighter (better than Van Damme, no doubt), the truth is, at least for me, the action was not cinematographic enough- not as engaging, story wise and coreography wise, to the likes of Bloodsport. (I exclude Bruce Lee films because they are from another level completely- the Bruce Lee persona is just from another galaxy)

Van Damme's movies had cheesy story, but engaging, nonetherless. Terribly memorable one liners "Ok, Usa!" "Ha! You lose, American @SShole!" "Now I show you some trick or two" ! "Very Good, but brick, not hit back!", and so on... Ong Bak is just very, very average in story, and only Tony carries the movie. Charisma wise, he's close to Van Damme, but the story of his movies just aren't good enough. Jet Li and, of course, Bruce Lee, are from another planet. Jackie Chan appeals to a different market- Disney, maybe?