Dynamite Warrior (2007/Magnolia Pictures)

 

Picture: C     Sound: C+     Extras: C-     Film: C-

 

 

Dan Chupong (Born To Fight) stars in Chalerm Wongpim’s Dynamite Warrior (2007) trying to spoof the Spaghetti Western, Hollywood Action film and make points of ethnicity throughout.  It has energy, talent and crazy ideas, but it is over to top out of the gate and is never able to get its act together.  Zieng (Chupong) is out to avenge the murder of his parents with only flimsy clues to go on (like a tattooed man) and will stop at nothing to even the score.

 

Unfortunately, what could have been an interesting tale of revenge from a place we have not seen many films looks all too much like films we have seen before.  The director even wrote the script.  Some may find this fun, but if you do not like we did not, you will be annoyed throughout.

 

The anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 image is softer than a recent production should be and Thanachat Bunlah is trying to recreate the comical look of Kung-Fu Hustle, though no limited avail.  The Dolby Digital 5.1 mix (either Thai or English) is decent, but does not make full use of the possibilities and Theppanom Piriyaworakul’s score is also trying to be funny.  The combination is watchable at best, but honestly a disappointment overall.  Extras include on-the-set footage, special effects make-up piece, behind-the-scenes stunt piece and making of featurette.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo