Bangkok Dangerous is a “by the numbers” action flick which is light on the thrills, but manages to maintain a gritty feel. The film looks good on Blu-ray’s 1080p format, but there is nothing that really lifts it past its formulaic feel.
Directed by The Pang Brothers (who directed the 1999 original film), this remake stars Nicolas Cage as a hitman named Joe who lives by several simple rules, and is considered the best in his business. Joe has decided it is time to retire, but needs one more big job to finish his career.
The job takes him to Bangkok where he is hired by a mobster for a series of hits. At first, Joe sticks to his normal routine – check out the hits, hire a local nobody to help him (with plans to dispose of the guy when the job is done), and kill the targets. Slowly things start to change for Joe as he befriends his assistant Kong (Shahkrit Yamnarm), starts teaching him how to be a hitman, and begins to fall in love with a deaf/mute pharmacist Fon (Charlie Yeung).
These new relationship break all of Joe’s rules, and he quickly finds himself at odds with what he has been hired to do.
Bangkok Dangerous has plenty of action to keep you interested, but it has all been done before and not just by the original film (which I have not seen, but have been told it is a much better movie). The Pang Brothers know how to shoot an action film, and fill the movie with some big action sequences (high speed boat chases, and hits on motorcycles). These sequences keep you wanting to watch the movie despite a story that is failing to hold your interest.
The biggest problem with the film is Nicolas Cage’s performance. I realize the character is supposed to be tired and ready to get out of the assassination business, but Cage sleepwalks through most of the movie. He seems as bored as I was watching it, and put little interest into making the character something new.
Joe could have been an extremely interesting character with his strict rules, and chosen profession. I wish more time could have been spent on developing the love story (which feels forced and rushed) and the mentor/pupil aspects of the script.
Instead, we get just another burned out character in another action flick with little plot, and big action sequences to tie the film together. It is my understanding Cage’s character in the original film was deaf/mute, and I think that would have been a refreshing change of pace for the film. I guess they couldn’t pay for a big star like Cage and then have him not speak.
The Blu-ray comes loaded with features that take you into the making of the film, and how they brought the big action sequences to the screen. These features are pretty much your typical “behind the scenes” look at the film. The Blu-ray also comes with an alternate ending which gives the film a happier conclusion. The Blu-ray also includes a second disc which features the digital copy of the movie for download.
Bangkok Dangerous is a decent action film, but fails to offer the genre anything new. Fans of the original film (which I now intend to watch) will probably want to stick with that version. The film has a few good moments, but for the most part it left me as bored as Cage appeared to be on screen.
Bangkok Dangerous [Blu-ray] is now available at Amazon . Visit the DVD database for more information.
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