One of the main things, probably the thing, that made the original Bangkok Dangerous so unique and worth checking out is the fact that the main character is deaf. And one of the key things is that he can then zone in and concentrate far better on the job at hand without being distracted by noise around him. However I’m sensing Mr. Cage stepped in after the rights were acquired for a remake and put an end to having to play a deaf man. In a way this lessens the film's value, and it just sets the way for Cage to play a character we’ve seen many times before. Although satisfactory in the action/shoot-out scenes (you’ll notice he’s been putting the time in at the gym for the role), he never really works in the emotional scenes where we’re supposed to care about the character. A combination of that and an inadequate script causes the film to fail to make you believe in the humanistic elements that this supposedly “cold-hearted hit man” is supposed to have. You never quite believe in him as a real person, in spite of the film’s plentiful efforts.
I can’t exactly say I really liked Bangkok Dangerous all that much, but it’s just the relief that it’s far, far better than I thought it was going to be. Past remakes of Asian films have gotten us used to the fact that they naturally suck, but thankfully that isn’t the case here. However you would be better off seeking out the original than watching this. But ultimately if what we have to settle for, short of Hollywood stopping the remakes, is for the remakes to be decent rather than terrible then I’ll take that option without a moment’s hesitation.
Article comments
1 - Derek Fleek
Great review. I might have to see this one, but I think waiting for the DVD would be best. Maybe I will rent the original...