Bangkok Dangerous [2002]

On the DVD: Bangkok Dangerous has an anamorphic widescreen picture that gives the visuals a garish immediacy. English subtitles are included, as are a selection of promo pictures and filmographies for the Pang brothers and star Pawalit Mongkolpisit. Mark Wyatt's film notes set the background succinctly, but an interview with either or both of the Pangs, or a location feature would have been even more welcome as context. As it is, those drawn to the idea of hard-hitting action with substance will not be disappointed. --Richard Whitehouse

The story revolves around a deaf mute hitman who, with his business partner work on the streets of Bangkok. The assinations being his way of getting back impersonally on the world that he must suffer. He then meets a person that he cares greatly for and so suffers a crisis of humanity, can he continue his job or should he re-invent himself as a participant in society?

Apart from the gripping storyline the special effects are something else. The use of audio and visual techniques used to display vunerability are impressive whilst the directors ability to make scenes alternate between nightmarish and dreamlike is remarkable.


Stylish violence   November 19, 2002
Mr. Od Smith (Coulsdon, Surrey)
2 out of 4 found this review helpful

As a fan of mainly Japanese cinema, it made perfect sense to hop across the Pacific for a film from Thailand. And this certainly proves that, along with Tears of the Black Tiger and The Eye, that there could well be a new movie powerhouse in the Orient.

The plot is relativly straightforward; Kong is a deaf mute assassin on the streets of Bangkok, doing "errands" for Aum, a nightclub owner, as his partner Joe is washed up following a hit that went wrong. During the course of the film, he meets Fon, and experiences love for the first time (hey, it's all in the trailer, so not a spoiler).

Although the plot can be considered generic, you won't consider this watching the film. An intriguing use of camerawork and SFX gives the film a look like no other, ranging from the initial hit before the opening credits, to the final showdown - including a "Gecko's eye" view of one hit (seriously). Other memorable effects include the kickboxing bout early on, with some effects work that stands out for originality - the best sequence I can't give away, as it spoils half the film in an instant. Again, there's clips in the trailer, make your mind up from that!!! The soundtrack also works wonders, and you'll probably never quite think of "Jingle bells" in quite the same way again.

Love, loss and redemptionmay be common themses, but Danny and Oxide Pang at the helm, they will never be seen in quite the same way again. Considering their next film, The Eye, is up for a Hollywood remake, it would be a decent bet to see them become as big as John Woo somewhere down the line, if they were given the chance.

Forget Hollywood, go to the Orient. With Takashi Kitano already on the map, and up and comers like this coming thick and fast, or even being remade (ie Ring), the rightful hub of cinema is no longer members of The Academy.


Quick Reviews   September 12, 2005
carlosnightman (A Seat)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

A genuine surprise. I had seen The Eye, and felt that while it had some excellent set pieces and scary moments, that it could have been better. Perhaps the American remake will be good, unlike The Ring. I had also seen Bangkok Haunted, a horror movie which had atmosphere, but few scare. So I came to this, knowing that the directors were stylish, but that they needed a superior, straighter story to tell if I was to appreciate them fully. This has it all. Great story, which will hold you until the end, fully drawn captivating characters, explosive and original action, strong performances, superb editing and dialogue, and packed with emotion. As I may have said, I'm a sucker for sentimentality, and real love stories, not the ones Hollywood tries to sell us 95% of the time, and this has both. But don't be put off if you hate that sort of thing, there is a lot of violence too, and the lovers are both very attractive. So, the story, not totally original, few are these days, but too much emphasis is placed on originality, and this adds many clever twists to an old story. A deaf-mute hitman seeks revenge on those who wronged him, while protecting his girlfriend, and proving he is not simply a killer. The climax is just as good, if not better than anything in The Matrix, and this has as many stand out scenes. But enough praise. It will probably be difficult to get hold of this film, but see it if you get the chance. When it's in a sale, buy it! Truly beautiful. Truly stylish.
Poor features let the DVD down, as a few interviews and documentaries would have been great, especially as so many Asian films are getting 2-disc releases here. The film alone is worth forking out at least 15 notes anyway.


Bangkok Dangerous   November 22, 2004
0 out of 1 found this review helpful

I think this is a must own film that tells a story of an assassin that can't speak who falls in love with a girl he meets in a chemist and just when he feels his life was getting better everything starts to get ugly and the story becomes much darker. I won't spoil it by telling you the whole story plot just take my word for it this is a film you'll want to own especially if your a fan of asian films.


Good in Parts   April 19, 2007
Jay (Mauritius)
Bangkok Dangerous is the story of a lonely mute who becomes a hit-man, partly to avenge himself upon the world that has alienated him. Only when he finds happiness does he realize the full horror of his life.
The film boasts some great performances, particularly by Pawalit Mongkolpisit as Kong, the main protagonist. His face is beautiful yet impassive, and his large eyes convey all the strangled emotions of a person unable to communicate with those around him.

There are many excellent moments to savour in this film, but the contrived way in which Kong's partner is forced out of retirement is ridiculous. However, despite the generic plot - which at times has a square-peg-round-hole forced feel to it - and the thoroughly predictable narrative progression, the film is actually pretty rewarding. It has a tender humanism at the centre, which gives the film real depth, and there are many moments worth savouring.