I haven't done a review in a while, but this one inspired me to write one again. I love reviewing these Martial Arts movies. They always speak to me in ways other movies do not. This one was one of the better ones I had seen in a while Directed by Benny Chan, and Starring Andy Lau, with a great supporting role by Jackie Chan, this movie knows how to entertain, all while actually having a very good story. The fight scenes are great, there is some Wire Fu, but not nearly to the extent of a Crouching Tiger, Hidden dragon. One particularly memorable fight has Jackie Chan, who is just a cook, using the skills he knows from that to take out some attackers...[more]...

Gimmicks are nothing new to the kung fu genre. They have been around since the 70's. One armed swordsmen, no armed fighters, no legged fighters, just to name a few. This is an addition to the kung fu gimmick. Someone with a horrible disability that no person should ever have to face. She is female! Why is she kicking ass and not in the kitchen? Just kidding... the fighter in this is autistic. What may sound like sheer exploitation (which it really probably is, even though the actrees is not really autistic), this movie actually does have some heart outside of all the carnage. Prachya Pinkaew adds another impressive film to his resume. Chocolate is a must watch for fans of the genre, as it has many homages to the different fight styles you have grown to love from legends such as Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee. It is definitely something different for the genre...[more]...

Tony Jaa may be the most ridiculously sculpted human being since Bruce Lee. Is he the buffest person on the planet? No, but the things this dude can do agility and strengthwise should not be able to be done by any human being on the planet. This is on display in Ong Bak, where as most people know, he did every stunt without wires or CGI (yes kids, there are films made WITHOUT CGI!). I have been a fan of Tony Jaa's since I saw the AMAZING "The Protector" in theatres 2 years ago. I had always heard about this one, but had yet to watch it. It was sitting on my DVD shelf collecting dust. After seeing glimpses of a preview for the sequel, I decided to finally give it a go round. I must say, it was a good kung fu flick, but I have seen much better. That said it still kept me entertained...[more]...