An action heroine is born in the explosive new blockbuster Chocolate from director Prachya Pinkaew and action director Panna Rittikrai, the tag team behind Ong Bak and Tom Yum Goong. With only her first film, Jija Yanin Vismitananda already stands peerless as Asian Cinema’s next big female action star. Discovered five years ago by Prachya Pinkaew during casting sessions for Born to Fight, the 24-year-old actress makes a jaw-dropping debut with a full arsenal of Muay Thai moves that belie her petite frame. Originally trained in taekwondo, Jija Yanin Vismitananda underwent four years of training with Panna Rittikrai, plus personal tutelage from Tony Jaa, in preparation for her debut, and she certainly delivers the action in Chocolate. In an interesting international crossover, popular Japanese actor Abe Hiroshi (The Sword of Alexander) co-stars as Jija Yanin Vismitananda’s father.

Tensions are high as Thai gangsters and yakuza bump heads in Bangkok. Yakuza Masashi (Abe Hiroshi) further crosses the Thai underworld when his relationship with Zin (Ammara Siripong), an underling of Thai kingpin No. 8 (Pongpat Wachirabunjong), is revealed. Masashi is soon forced to return to Japan, leaving Zin and their unborn child behind in Thailand. Toughing it out as a single mother, Zin gives birth to an autistic daughter. Clearly a bit different from the rest of the kids, Zen (Jija Yanin Vismitananda) has unnaturally fast reflexes that she channels into learning Muay Thai. Though times are tough, Zen grows up healthy and happy until her mother is diagnosed with cancer. To pay for the medical care, Zen and portly buddy Moom (Taphon Phopwandee) decide to collect Zin’s old debts, speaking with fists when payment isn’t forthcoming – which is basically every time. Zin’s old cronies aren’t about to just sit around though while Zen blazes a path of damage through the underworld.

Very good muay-thai movie with a new face. Although the actress is not trained in muay-thai prior she did a very convincing take in this movie.

Trailer

Making Of:

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Martial arts superstar Tony Jaa returns in Ong Bak 2, an unrelated sequel to the jaw-dropping Ong Bak. Jaa stars and also co-directs the film alongside frequent collaborator Panna Rittikrai, action choreographer for Jaa’s Tom Yum Goong and Ong Bak. Not content to dish out the same Muay Thai that made him an international sensation, Jaa mixes it up in Ong Bak 2, demonstrating a wider range of martial arts including styles made popular by Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee. Also, Jaa performs his own perilous stunts, and engages in a spectacular duel with Dan Chupong (Dynamite Warrior) on the back of an elephant. The climactic action sequence is a breathless twenty minute-plus fight that finds Jaa squaring off against hordes of foes in a Thai jungle village. A must-see for Asian action aficionados, Ong Bak 2 should be the perfect appetizer before Tony Jaa returns in Ong Bak 3.

Orphaned when the treacherous Lord Rajasena (Saranyoo Wongkrajang) kills his parents, young Tien is saved from slavery and raised by Chernang (Sorapong Chatree), leader of a renowned band of guerillas. Growing to adulthood, Tien (Tony Jaa) becomes proficient in a variety of martial arts styles including boxing, kung fu, and Muay Thai, as well as numerous forms of exotic weaponry. With his training behind him, Tien begins his journey towards his ultimate goal: revenge against Lord Rajasena for his parents’ death. However, infiltrating the enemy brings Tien in contact once again with childhood sweetheart Pim (Primorata Dejudom), who has become Rajasena’s top dancer. Inflicting an initial blow on Rajasena, Tien makes his return to the jungle, only to find his enemies – and a shocking revelation – waiting for him.

Videos from Ong Bak 2:

Attacking the slaver camp

Graduation Test

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