What the hell? (Ong-Bak is nothing but flashy bullshit)

[Prince of China]

Whenever people say how cool Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior is, it annoys me. A lot of forum members here have seen XMA teams such as Team Ryouko and Sport Karate's Team Paul Mitchell do all these amazing acrobatic moves and say that these moves look cool, but it would be really useless in real life. Ong-Bak has these moves but not as good and people are saying things such as, "Wow, Tony Jaa is the new Bruce Lee", or "Tony Jaa kicked so much ass in that movie that it makes Jet Li and Jackie Chan look like pussies."
What the hell? That's a real insult, Ong-Bak is nothing but flashy bullshit. When I saw this movie last year, I was hoping for something that would satisfy my thirst for a fast-paced martial arts movie. Ong-Bak didn't deliver it, instead, a movie called Wing-Chun did. There is a difference between flashy, useless acrobatic moves and fast-paced action. Martial arts were meant to be done quick because when you are defending yourself, you don't have much time to think.
Would you honestly: jump, spin and come out with a kick or would you rather: intercept, go into joint manipulation and kick your adversary's ass in two seconds?
Ong-Bak's new title is also misleading, it says Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior, which is saying that the name of the main character is Ong-Bak, it's not, the main character's name is Ting. Jet Li would kick Tony Jaa's ass. Jet Li trains in Wushu and he trained started Wushu when he was eight. Tony Jaa trained in Muay Thai, Tae Kwon Do and in gymnastics, he has won medals in gymnastics and in track and field. Jet Li has won medals in actual martial art tournaments where you actually fought people, he was on China's national team. I've noticed that Ting/Tony Jaa/Flashy poser fought mostly people without martial art talent, he doesn't even go into joint manipulation. Joint manipulation kicks ass. The martial arts movie industry just isn't the same without Bruce Lee, you guys are better off watching Hero or Sport Karate tournaments.
The cast of actors also having connfusing names, not that it has to do with anything, but who wants to hear the name: Phanom Yeerum?
Anyways, I had to get this off my chest. If you want, you can send me a private message if you don't agree with me.
I obviously didn't like this movie and don't come and post flames in this thread and start saying things like, "Well, that's just your opinion!"
I know it's my opinion and so should you- I shouldn't have to point that out.
Update: They're making a sequel for Ong-Bak, if you didn't like my bitching, this is my chance to make it up to you to tell you that Phanom Yeerum/ Tony Jaa is training for a sequel.

 

[Direwolf]

I've never even heard of it.

 

[Stigmata]

I think the whole point of the movie was to incorporate a lot of flashy martial arts. The mainstream audience doesn't necessarily want to see the most damaging or skillful moves; they want to see moves that look like they could cause damage in real life. Spins, flips, basically any auxilliary movement that adds nothing to the power of the attack makes for flashier fight sequences, which is what most people want. It's not going to impress the hardcore martial arts enthusiasts, but it sure as hell impresses the average moviegoer.

Then again, I've only seen the trailers and TV spots.

 

[Icarusintel]

I liked the movie personally, if anything it all looks good and fast and punishing, watching real martial arts can get boring sometimes just like any sport, but they have to keep your attention in the movie, personally I've always been impressed by Jackie Chan's acrobatics and Jet Li's fighting, even if he does a lot of wire stuff and other things not actually possible by a human being, but Tony Jaa seems to incorporate both elements into a single set of moves which is fairly impressive to watch, even if none of them are practical
Now, with that being said, it would take a helluva lot to even MATCH Bruce Lee in a movie and no one has yet to do it as far as I've seen, but there are certainly plenty of martial artists capable of even better stuff, they just aren;t in any movies
So, Tony Jaa's performance looks good, mixes a few different styles, but none of the current major movie martial artists are up to the task of dethroning Bruce Lee

 

[Prince of China]

Not only is just flashy, some things are just stupid. Ting does a drop kick with both feet foward and lands on his back. The spine is one the parts that you want to protect.

I liked the movie personally, if anything it all looks good and fast and punishing, watching real martial arts can get boring sometimes just like any sport

Comparing martial arts to sports isn't fair. Martial arts shouldn't be like a sport.
If you like flips, go to a Gymnastics competition, if you want to see Gymnastic style flips, spinning kicks and twists, go to a Sport Karate tournament.
Edit: Do I sound like a mean bastard?
Anyways, I'm starting to think that Ong-Bak is okay. Afterall, I do enjoy watching Gymnastics, and Team Ryouko. I guess that it looks okay if it looks painful, but it's still just not right for me. I guess I'll have to see it again.
Question: Do you guys honestly think this stuff would work in a real fight with Tony Jaa and a professional piont sparrer?

 

[Asuka]

I wanted to go see this. Probably will soon.

 

[Stigmata]

Question: Do you guys honestly think this stuff would work in a real fight with Tony Jaa and a professional piont sparrer?

If he took out the flash from his performance, he might have a chance against a pro.

 

[Prince of China]

If he used this stuff, do you think he would have a chance?

 

[BirdMan]

Time for me (the martial art freak) to make a move in the thread!

Jet Li trains in Wushu and he trained started Wushu when he was eight.

Wushu is nothing but a flashy martial art. Nothing is efficiant at all. It looks like Kung-Fu with more jumps and wrong leg, and back positions. It's a show business martial art but it's useless for fighting.

Tony Jaa trained in Muay Thai, Tae Kwon Do and in gymnastics

I've known someone who trained Muay Thai during 4 years. I've been doing Tong Long Kung Fu for 5 years. Believe me, I don't ever want to get a kick again from this guy because Muay-Thai + Taekwando + One kick = You KO.

Sure the movie was flashy but he sure knows his Muay-Thai*.

And also, joint manipulating may be cool and usefull when you know how to do it right, but it's really easy to get out of it. I do alot of joint manipulation and after some years of practice, you realise that it's only usefull against someone who doesn't know shit about martial arts.

Just wanted to make some things clear

 

[CREMATOR666]

I knew a guy who learned some Muay Thai and Taekwondo, he turned from a normal guy into a bully. God, I hate him ;(