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Bangkok Dangerous
Directed by Oxide Pang Chun & Danny Pang
Starring: Pawalit Mongkolpisit, Premsinee Ratanasopha, Patharawarin Timkul, Pisek Intrakanchit
Running Time: 1:45
Country: Thailand
Year: 2000
Web: Official Site
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Stylish and ultra-kinetic, Bangkok Dangerous is an exciting and violent tale of a mute hit man caught in the familiar mechanisms of revenge.
Pawalit Mongkolpisit is Kong, a mute and deaf man who sees the chance to exorcise the emotional scars of his childhood by becoming the protégé of a professional killer, Jo (Pisek Intrakanchit). When Jo's girlfriend Aom (Patharawarin Timkul) is raped, he embarks on a journey of vengeance in which Kong will ultimately be involved.
Kong and Jo aren't awful monsters, and the movie even develops a certain affection for them. They are killers just as they could be "gas attendants". Killing provides Kong with a way to settle the score with a society where his handicap has never been accepted and was the butt of mockeries and violence. Jo seems to be the only compassionate human being who gave him a chance until he meets a cute pharmacist (Premsinee Ratanasopha) with whom he falls in love. But as in all dramas fate will intervene.
New comers Oxide Pang Chun & Danny Pang have a sure sense of directing. Sharp and edgy editing, saturated colors and an omnipresent soundtrack blending with the images create a visually stunning film. Bangkok Dangerous alternates between the psychological study of the main character and bloody shooting scenes. But as the Pang Brothers surely have their own cinematographic style, it is difficult not to notice other directors' influential work pierce throughout the picture. While this is usual for any first effort, one can't help thinking that these obvious influences might also be the signs of a respected homage to their masters.
The stylish and trendy editing and overall rhythm is reminiscent of Wong Kar-Wai, particularly of Fallen Angels. The cheesy love story borrows from John Woo' s taste for cheesy romances giving a sense of redemption (see The Killer), while the abrupt and deadpan violence refers to Takeshi Kitano's work. The theme of a scarred killer comes straight from Italian director Sergio Corbucci. In his cult and most provocative spaghetti western The Great Silence, the hero is a mute gunman who won't escape his fate. This is another example of how European cinema has influenced Asian directors' latest wave like Kitano and Woo who often quote French filmmaker Jean-Pierre Melville. The theme of revenge is ever present in spaghetti westerns. Finally, a great scene where an avenging ghost walks alongside Kong might take its source from Clint Eastwood's High Plains Drifter (and Pale Rider).
The cast is convincing, especially Pawalit Mongkolpisit who develops a childish innocence before exploding into acts of wild violence.
While having some handicaps, Bangkok Dangerous is a sure blast and just like Kong's bullets, it doesn't miss its target.
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Fred Thom
 Re-cycle
The Eye
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Bangkok Dangerous review
