BANGKOK DANGEROUS
US, 2007, 99 minutes, Colour.
Nicolas Cage, Shahkrit Yamnarm, Charlie Young.
Directed by Oxide Pang, Danny Pang.
It's a bit of a surprise to find that this film actually opens in Prague. However, it is an introduction to a hitman, a meticulously ruthless and unemotional professional played by Nicolas Cage in his sombre mode.
Soon we are in Bangkok where the killer has a contract to dispose of four targets. There is a young go-between who is in admiration of the killer who has told us his unchangeable rules include not forming any attachments. But, he does, and starts to train the eager young man. By chance, he visits a pharmacy and is attracted by one of the staff who turns out to be a mute woman. She is attracted by him – and he shows a charming side of his impersonal character. Finally, as we know, he will have to face his conscience. One of his targets is an honest politician who does good for his constituents. Will he kill him or not?
The film, though dark, is full of local colour – though of those parts of Bangkok which tourists don't normally visit.
The Pang Brothers originally made this film in 1999. This remake for an American and worldwide audience is really much as action fans would expect: a brutal killer, some brutal killings, some action sequences, a touch of romance and a challenge to conscience and to his feelings.
1.A hit-man story, a story of evil, assassinations, the possibilities for redemption?
2.A remake of the Pang brothers’ original film? The continued Thai emphases? The change with an American character, for American and world audiences? A serious treatment of the hit-men – with the possibilities of comic touches?
3.The Thai settings, Bangkok, the city, dangerous, the world of killers, the world of crime? The business world, politics? Violence and weapons? The ordinary life of Bangkok, the pharmacy, the restaurants, outings? The two faces of the city? The musical score?
4.The prologue in Prague, the introduction to Joe, seeing him at work as a hit-man? His voice-over, the four cardinal rules that he worked on: don’t ask questions, there is no right and wrong, trust no-one, know when to quit? Seeing him put these in action in Thailand? The beauty of the visuals of Prague? The contrast with Bangkok?
5.Joe, his reputation as a hit-man, international? Coming to Bangkok? His intention for the last job? The local gangsters, four murders?
6.Kong, petty thief, bagman? Kong and his relationship with Joe, the apprentice? His personality, his attraction towards Aom, her being a dancer at the nightclub?
7.Joe, the pharmacy, Fon, deaf mute, at the pharmacist’s?
8.Kong, Joe, the training as an assassin? Joe and his opposition? His past and killing assistants after their helping him? Change of heart?
9.Joe, the hits? The relationship with Kong and his friendship? Fon?
10.The gangsters, their wanting to know who Joe was? Fon and her reaction to Joe being a violent man?
11.Joe, the effect on his mood, the assassinations, his changing of heart about Kong? The commission from the gangsters for a political assassination? Its being his absolutely final hit?
12.The gangsters, their discussions amongst themselves, their wealth, influence, power? The decision to kill Kong, to kill Aom? As a cover-up?
13.The target, the popular politician, the cavalcade, Kong and his admiration? Joe and the set-up, his change of heart, leaving?
14.Kong and Aom being tortured? The location of Joe’s base? The gunmen pursuing Joe? His killing them?
15.Joe, the search for Kong, the final gunfight?
16.The background of Bangkok, Fon and her sister, the lyrical scenes with Joe and Fon together? Her reaction to the truth?
17.Joe, the final confrontation, the boss, the single bullet, killing himself and the boss?
18.A perspective on assassins? In the Asian context?
