Hi its me again. Good to be back. Finally got my computer working again (about time) and also have a...
Hi its me again. Good to be back. Finally got my computer working again (about time) and also have a new job!!!
Thanks for your patience as I have been sporadic but i'm here for the long run now...hopefully.
Member since:20.04.2004
Reviews:41
Members who trust:6
Chocolate
Keeping up the tradition in new wave Muay Thai films from Thailand, director Prachya Pinkaew's (Ong Bak, Warrior King) Chocolate.
The premise is simple: Zen, the autistic daughter of a Zin, a former gang leader's wife, develops incredible Martial Arts skills from watching Kung-fu films, playing computer games and watching students from the local Muay Thai school. As Zin develops cancer, Mangmoom, her adopted son, stumbles upon a book from her past which would allow them to pay for their mother's treatment. After coming across initial difficulties and various henchmen, Zen uses her extraordinary skills to kick some ass, obtain the money to help her mum.
Chocolate is well directed and is an extremely entertaining watch. Prachya Pinkaew, the director who introduced the world to the fantastic Tony Jaa has again discovered another gem, this time in Yanin Vismistananda. She is wonderfully superb as the autistic Zen showcasing her array of martial arts skills and demonstrating the wonderful athleticism she possesses. Her acting is also pretty good as are the supporting cast that consist of newcomers Ammara Siripong (Zin) and Taphon Phopwandee (Mangmoom).
The story however will cause a talking point. Many people will take issue about how superficial and weak it is which is valid enough however if you want a deep story about issues close to the heart with substance and meaning then watch a biopic or a Jane Austen adaptation.
For many a year Martial Arts movies have had flimsy storylines (with the exception of Hero, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon to name a few) because this genre with its exhibition of gravity defying acrobatics and lightening fast combat are primarily judged on the fight and action choreography. This is where Chocolate makes up for its inadequacies. Using no wires along with intricate set pieces and multiple opponents, clearly influenced from Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan movies and notably Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill: Vol , are absolutely fantastic. Prachya Pinkaew and the fight choreography team should be commended in trying to raise the bar and try something different.
With this in mind Chocolate is a brilliant Martial Arts movie and with a young lady leading this gives the movie an extra dimension. In Yanin Vismistananda have we finally found a true female martial arts star who will eclipse the beautiful Michelle Yeoh and the gorgeous Ziyi Zhang? If this debut is anything to go by then it is a resounding yes!
Martial Arts - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: Bruce Lee, Sho Kosugi, James Ryan, Jim Kelly, Jimmy Wang Yu, Bolo Yeung, Christopher Lee
Production Year: 1972 - Martial Arts - Director: Bruce Lee - Original Language: English\Cantonese\Chinese - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: Bruce Lee, Nora Miao, Chuck Norris, Robert Wall, Jon T. Benn
Production Year: 2002 - Martial Arts - Director: Yimou Zhang - Original Language: Mandarin - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Jet Li, Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Maggie Cheung, Ziyi Zhang
Bobbins. You don't need to tell me how much this is, where to buy it (is it really that difficult to navigate to Amazon?) or what certificate rating it's received because the content of the review has told me all I need to know. It's made by the director of Ong-Bak ,features a similarly weak story, but has a shedload of kick arse martial arts action. That's a film for me!
(Not sure why there's an expectation to input what critics have stated about the flick either - if I'd wanted to know what they said I'd pop over to Empire or Total Film, rather than invest in the opinion of a consumer...)
Ruby.xo 21.07.2009 14:56
Helpful review. You could improve it though by telling me where you can buy/ rent it from, how much about would it be, what have critics said and what is the age certificate as the picture is too small to tell from. If you want me to rerate in case you do change it just let me know and I'll be happy too. Quite a good review though xx
Advantages: New view of romance, good story and some breathtaking scenes! Disadvantages: Low budget film, some silly scenes and lack of special effects
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