Ong Bak 2

"Ong Bak 2" is so obviously contrived for the sole purpose of showing off Tony Jaa's martial arts weapons expertise that the film soon wears out its welcome. Set in Thailand circa 1431 when the slave trade was doing brisk business, young Tien witnesses the murder of his parents by the royal army. Later, wild child Tien is captured by slave traders and made to fight a crocodile in watery gladiatorial combat. When bandits break up the traders' violent fiesta, Tien is rescued by the group's leader Chernang, a master who takes Tien under his wing and (you saw this coming) train him as a warrior. The film's many fight scenes are well shot but devoid of impact because there isn't enough character development to support the mind-numbing volume of violence. As in the original film, Tony Jaa performs some amazing stunts--not the least is running across the backs of a herd of stampeding elephants--but lacks the charm needed to capture your imagination. This is martial arts movie is a chore.
Rated R. 97 mins. (C) (Two Stars)