BKO: Bangkok Knockout

The story is dubious although it has a twist or two. The acting is horrible from beginning to end. Yet, the action is jaw-dropping like a dropped kick that connects.

I actually saw this movie by mistake at the FantAsia Film Festival. Apparently the usher did not care to verify the name of the movie on my ticket. I think she was too busy eyeing me, or at least that is what I tell myself. So as the movie opened, I thought maybe this is a short film before the feature. When I realized I was in the wrong movie and that this one seemed to be shallow and pointless, I almost left, but my girlfriend said that we already missed the other movie's beginning and that we should tough it out with this Bangkok Knockout.

As painful as the beginning of the movie is, once the action got started, we were both glad we stayed. The scenes kept displaying some of the most stunning stunts and choreography in the industry. Then, there is a bit of comedy, some good editing, hot girls who can do a few moves too and a fitting ending. By that time, we were cheering with the enthused FantAsia crowd and easily put the poor plot and bad acting in the back of our mind.

There are some amazing scenes with cage fighting, blunt or sharp weapons, car, spectacular falls, masked assailants, Terminator-style superhuman, martial arts mastery and then... just when you thought you had seen it all, they bring the fight to the real world and bring in guns, motorcycles, trucks for the grand finale.

This is the martial arts Matrix in a warehouse with no story. Wachowski brothers, watch out. Less guns, more skills, guts and glory.

The trailer promises great action and realistic fighting. Well, the final movie delivers. The fight-scenes in Bangkok Knockout blew me away. They look so real. No wait, they are real. Kicks to the face look awesome, you can even see the dust created by the foot to face impact.

Too bad some of the actors could use a foot to the face. I'm not talking about the fighters - there acting is okay - but the foreign-characters. There is one Russian guy, his lines are so horrible it's just sad... And funny.

I went to see the movie in Korat, Thailand. It had English subtitles. Not a must - foot to face actions works in all languages - but it came in handy.

You should go and watch this movie. Just for the action. And dream about the day Hollywood hires these guys to make a movie, with decent actors for the side-story.

BKO: Bangkok Knockout (2010) is a movie I recently rewatched on Tubi. The storyline follows a group of friends who has a mutual friend kidnapped by a gangster. Each friend has his won unique fighting style and martial arts specialty. They will have to band together to infiltrate the gang and fight their way to their friend who is being held hostage. This movie is directed by Panna Rittikrai (Ong-Bak) and stars Pimchanok Leuwisetpaiboon (Friend Zone), Sorapong Chatree (Ong-Bak 2), Krittiya Lardphanna (City of Ghosts) and Chatchapol Kulsiriwuthichai (The Man with the Iron Fists 2). The storyline for this is mediocre to bad but the action scenes are outstanding. I loved the choreography throughout. The villain was actually pretty good too and had some good zingers. The random guy speaking English was also...well, random, Overall there are a lot of inconsistencies in this film; however, if you're looking for a fun martial arts film, this may be worth your time. I would score this a 6/10 and recommend giving it a shot.

A martial arts stunt team enters a competition to win the chance to work in Hollywood, but instead find themselves part of a gambling event in which they must fight for survival against a variety of foes while rich folk bet on the outcome.

Directed by Panna Rittikrai, the man who gave us Born To Fight and the Ong Bak sequels, Bangkok Knockout delivers more than its fair share of stunning martial arts action and incredible stunt-work, so much so that it's possible to become a bit blasé about the death-defying action that is unfolding before the eyes. With so much jaw-dropping action on display, it's best to keep reminding yourself that these are practical stunts, not the work of a CGI expert with actors performing in front of a green screen.

While there is occasional obvious wire-work used to enhance some of the moves (particularly noticeable in earlier scenes), BKO is still a breathtaking experience for action fans, the relentless fighting just about making up for the extremely weak plot, the terrible acting (especially from the gamblers) and some truly irritating characters (the fat guy with the bob haircut being the worst offender).

A few reasonably fit-looking young people kicking the stuffing out of one another is really the most that 'Bangkok Knockout' has to offer.

Some well choreographed fight scenes are largely wasted upon a plot and situation that are poorly realised. It's not that the idea lacks merit, it just hasn't been put onto the screen very well. After a while, BKO's flaws begin to test your patience. Perhaps annoyingly, the last twenty minutes of the film - particularly the fight in and around the truck - are the most exciting. If you must, then watch it for the fight scenes, but don't expect the rest of the film to be in the least bit satisfying.