ONG-BAK 3

Thailand, 2010, 99 minutes, Colour.
Tony Jaa, Primorata Jejudom, Dan Chupong, Nirut Sirichanya.
Directed by Tony Jaa, Panna Rittikai.

This is the third film in the series, while it could be seen as stand-alone but makes sense, of course, principally in the aftermath of the first two films.

The film is a star vehicle’s for martial arts actor, Tony Jaa. In each film, he has many, many opportunities to exhibit his fighting skills.

The theme throughout the film’s is the relationship between Tony Jaa’s Tien and his father, the attacks on his father, the cruelty of the usurper, the spirit of his father leading the son to survive, a great deal of suffering (which makes The Passion of the Christ seem milder), and the rescue of Tien, his being cared for by the young woman of the village, and the Guru leading him into recovery, physical strength, moral strength, by meditation and contemplation. The recurring images of the Buddha, with different facial expressions, symbolising Tien’s growth and the film’s reliance on some Buddhist spirituality.

The tyrant himself, fearful, remembering Tien’s father, being cruel to him, yet receiving challenges and having physical and mental nightmares until his defeat.

A film for those interested in this kind of tie storytelling and for Tony Jaa’s martial arts skills.