Bangkok Dangerous is not so much about the plot as it is about Joe reaching a moment in his life where his choices are limited and neither one will work. It is a tragic story about a man who cannot go back nor can he go forward. His life's decisions have led him down a path that leaves no room for normal relationships. Just watch him with Winai; he does not know how to act and when his instincts kick in, the results could be fatal. He is also reflected in Kong, an eager young man who intends to follow in Joe's footsteps.
The movie has a great look. It has a gritty, over-exposed look that just drags you in and doesn't let go. The Pang Brothers forgo the slick Hollywood sheen in favor of a style that more accurately reflects the central character and what he is doing. It works very nicely.
Bottom line. This movie delivered more than I was expecting. I was hoping for an action film in an exotic location; what I got was something more introspective, but still with a good dose of violence. It is more than a movie about a hit man, it is about a man finding his place in life, just a little too late.
Recommended.
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