Friday, September 17, 2010

Sounds Like: Fireball (Thailand)

Is there a reason why I don't review films sometimes?  Yes.  Some of them are dull (Satan's Wife), terrible (Sex Medusa) or just don't leave me with enough to say.  This movie is in that category.  I love Thai action films, which this one happens.  Point 1 for you, movie.  The movie has a revenge plot involving organized crime.  Okay, that's another Point for you.  Here's the problem: there's really nothing else here.  I can make this work though, so stick with me.  If you like kicking, jumping and brutal violence, you're in luck.  The film's story involves organized crime, extreme sports and kicking.  Maybe I was being too harsh before.  Get out your b-ball for my review of...
The plot is simple: a man gets out of jail and seeks revenge.  In an introductory scene, his twin brother is put in a coma by some criminals.  Once out on the street, he joins a team that plays the odd sport of Fireball.  What is it?  Well, it's basically basketball, but you have to kick people a lot.  You do get points for scoring, but it's mostly just about kicking people.  In fact, most of the games/matches they show only one point being scored for either side.  Is the whole game like sudden-death hockey or something?  I don't get it.  This brings up the problem of the film: there are really only about five major scenes, about half of which are the games.  They're good...but a bit long.  I do love me some kicking though.
Okay, there's really not much to talk about.  After a second game, one of the group is accused of trying to throw the game to get out, so they kill him.  We get another scene where the group does some parkour stunts in order to get a ball.  Why?  Why the hell not?!?  Eventually, our hero goes after the lead villain, they fight and he wins.  As a bonus, they fight in the rain.  The End.
This movie is good...for what it is.  It's pretty much just a pure action film with almost no plot.  They spend a few minutes setting up the story, have a long fight scene, give us a little more plot and have another fight scene.  There honestly is not much more to talk about.  If you like this kind of stuff- which I do- you'll have fun.  Ultimately though, it's just going to end up in a fight compilation video on YouTube.  A lot of these Thai films try to mix in drama (Chocolate), a setting (Ong Bak 2), a crazy plot (Dynamite Warrior) or some political commentary (Born To Fight).  This one is just about people doing spin-kicks while running up and down a court.  You may not remember it for long, but you will enjoy it while you do.
Next up, Sounds Like Week concludes with a look another film called Fireball.  This one has mutant powers- bonus!  Stay tuned...


 

3 comments:

  1. I really have no where else to say this, so here goes: Dragonball Evolution was the single worst film I have ever seen. Ever. My God man, please tell me you have seen it so we can discuss.

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  2. While I can't say that it's the worst film I've seen- check out the first two reviews of October for some strong ones- it is terrible. I was a fanboy of that show in it's heyday (in America). Hell, I wrote fan-fiction about it- although it was attempts to fix plot-holes. :-)

    For giving 'Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li' a run for its money as the worst adaptation of 2009 is pretty impressive...in a bad way.

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  3. Part of me still wants to dare renting Chun Li, I dont know why, but I just feel like I have to see it... Like I'm obligated.. But god damned man, I loved DBZ and only saw some small pieces of DB, and this crushed my fanboy soul and spit on the crushed ashes.

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