Hidden Gems

While it is listed under its original name, Tom yum goong, it doesn't change the fact the The Protector is not a movie to miss. It is the first excellently done Kung-Fu movie in years. While the story does seem a little weak when you first hear it (traveling across the world to rescue an elephant?), and it admittedly does have some cheesier moments, but what it lacks in written finesse it more then makes up for in action. What is the best part, you ask? The star, Tony Jaa, not only does all of his own stunts, but there is no digital augmentation or over the top special effects; every stunt that the protagonist pulls is one that he is actually doing on his own (barring one scene that may make use of a trampoline). If you are a fan of non-stop, action-packed flicks then this is one that should not be missed.

i second this

I was so close to watching this, but it looked too similar to Kickass. 
 
Might go back and watch this now.

@Coltonio: It is so much better then Kickass, at least in my opinion.

@Ferro said:

" It is the first excellently done Kung-Fu movie in years "

You must not watch a lot of Asian martial arts cinema.

Ong-Bak was a better film and a better display of Tony Jaa's athleticism.
 
The Protector is still pretty good, though. It has that one long five minute take where he goes up the tower? That shit is awesome.
 
Ong-Bak 2, though. Man that film is insane.

Oh man, I loved this it's called The Warrior King in the UK. I couldn't stop laughing at the bit at the end when one of the big heavies throws a baby elephant (spoiler *shrug*) But it is a ton of fun...not quite Ong Bak but really enjoyable.

@Napalm: I have not. I also have not seen Ong Bak as of yet.

Where's my goddamn elephant?!?

I thought Ong-Bak was better than this, it was purer, and didn't feature the extra lame elephanty storyline. 

Was a fun action movie :)  I kept waiting for Bill Murray to show up and collect his elephant tho. 
   

@Ferro said:

" @Napalm: I have not. I also have not seen Ong Bak as of yet. "

It's a good movie, but there are rare gems such as City Of Violence and Kill Zone/S.P.L. that are really quite better films than The Protector. The Protector really only has good fight scenes going for it, especially when you look at a film like Kill Zone and it does gritty cop drama perfectly, meshed along with a fantastic story and fight scenes featuring legends such as Donnie Yuen and Sammo Hung. City Of Violence has over the top violence and charming comedy about friendship going for it as well as fantastic action sequences. Give those two films a shot. I think you would agree.

This was a solid movie.  The thing about the Elephant really bothered me a lot.  Great fight scenes as always.

Best part? When he jumps off the roof and knees that dude in the face. Tony Jaa in my opinion, is almost as good as Bruce Lee. Way better than Jackie Chan, that's for sure.

@Coltonio said:

" I was so close to watching this, but it looked too similar to Kickass.

This is actually a very weird comparison. Though maybe it's because I've seen it and know that nowhere in Kick-Ass is there a quest to retrieve an elephant

@Napalm: Well, I believe I have seen clips from both of those movies, and if they are anything to go off of I would say that you are correct.

Yes, Yes, this movie Yes. lol when i first saw this movie i was a Tony Jaa fan. I havent seen Ong-Bak in completion but the Protector and Ong-Bak 2(ancient Thailand i think) were great. The single continuous shot climbing the staircase was the highlight of the Protector for me. As for Ong-Bak 2, at the end of the movie when fighting all those warrirors...awesome