Earlier this year, martial arts fans were left in mourning after one of the world’s most legendary action film makers, Panna Rittikrai, passed away at 53 years young. He left behind the legacy of a daredevil stunt performer, martial artist, and action director who stood side by side with Jackie Chan to laugh in the face of danger, one which his two famed apprentices, Tony Jaa and Marrese Crump, shall carry on. However, the action director behind the “Ong Bak” and “Tom Yum Goong” films would also leave behind one last helping of what he could do for his millions of fans to see in the form of his final film, “Vengeance of an Assassin”, which you can see the trailer for below.
The official synopsis reveals what fans can expect from the film:
“Being an assassin has its rules – always keep your eyes on your target, be strict on your mission, execute without any hesitation and there is no room for negotiation. Each killer has his own background, but all of them have trade in their blood and losses. For Natee, his only reason in becoming an assassin and leaving behind his brother and his uncle is to find the truth about his parents’ death. It is the issue that he has always doubted and felt that uncle Thanom was hiding something from him. While protecting Ploy, a niece of a local business man from a group of assassins, he was asked to kill the girl instead.”
Whoever put the trailer for “Vengeance of an Assassin” together was very clearly cognizant of the fact that fans of Rittikrai will be seeing his final film, which features another of his frequent collaborators, Dan Chupong, posthumously. The trailer is a non-stop montage of people jumping, falling, getting slammed into things, and beating each other senseless – all things that Rittikrai and his compatriots made a living out of putting themselves through and immediately shaking off (one gentleman even fights off a circle of enemies with what appears to be a chicken bone!). The message is clear – “Don’t miss Panna Rittikrai’s very last film, you’ll hate yourself forever if you do!”
Panna Rittikrai left us to soon, but he left behind one last glimpse at what the upper echelon of action filmmakers like himself can do. “Vengeance of an Assassin” opens in Thailand on November 3rd.
Looks like this movie is not for the faint-hearted viewers! I liked ONG BAK sequels, but this one seems over the top (violence and graphic scenes)! I’m still thinking… should I watch or not? 😀
Yes, you’re right Mhel that it’s over the top, so much so that it can’t be taken seriously! I think it’s borderline comedy!
Yes, you’re right Mhel that it’s over the top, so much so that it can’t be taken seriously! I think it’s borderline comedy! -Elliot.