An effective martial arts film destined to leave mouths agape.
What are people saying?
What are critics saying?
The New York Times by Dana Stevens
Mr. Jaa, blessed with astonishing muscle definition and a stoical, sensitive face, clearly has the potential to be an international action movie star, and Ong-Bak feels like the start of a scrappy, potent franchise.
However shrewdly he's been packaged, Tony Jaa is the real thing.
Strongly recalls Hong Kong kung-fu movies of the late '60s and '70s, with physical grit, over-the-top heroics and inventive fight choreography providing the entertainment.
So just do yourself a favor, get out there and see Ong Bak. You’ll leave the theater bruised and battered, but you'll be happy about it.
Los Angeles Times by Kenneth Turan
It's a display of phenomenal dexterity and nimble grace that's a joy to watch. That, friends, is entertainment.
Dallas Observer by Luke Y. Thompson
Ong-Bak's script, if you can call it that, is nothing but a series of setups for star Tony Jaa to show his stuff.
Pummeling, exhilarating.
Makes up in action what it lacks in storytelling finesse.
Tony Jaa's breakout film, where we got to see the full extent of his stunt work and martial arts capabilities. Like other action films, it's plot is thin and is there to serve the larger set pieces, but the action choreography and craft put into the stunts and fights helps elevate it past a standard martial arts film.