Tubi Thursday: Ong Bak 3 (2010)

 After making the Film, its Star became a Buddhist Monk for a year.  Will you?

Let's find out...

For starters, that Cover is a lie.  It's him from the first Film...not this one.

Anyhow, he survives, I guess, his death in the last Film.

He's punished and kept around to be tortured by the King.

Said King is having his own issues.

He's been cursed by a former Associate and is tripping more balls than a Character in one of those 'Pot is evil' Films/TV Shows.

Jaa is spared and rescued- hurray.

After nearly dying (again?), he is reunited with his love interest and learns inner peace through dancing.

Oh shit- is he going to have to win a Tournament to save the Youth Center?!?

Nope.  The evil Raven Guy we saw at the end fight of the last Film has been promoted to top villain.

He rebels against the evil King because, well, he's evil.

Also, he likes to curse people.

Can Jaa maintain his newfound inner peace to save the day?

Or will he give in to violence for violence's sake yet again?

To find out, stream Part 3 now.

Is this as bad as so many people say?  To me, no.  That's the short answer.

Now for the long answer- I get it. The Film's Pacing and build-up is very different than the 2nd Film.  This one is all about breaking down the last Film and why it was not good for Jaa's character.

Look at it- he sought only revenge and what was his reward?  Pain, betrayal and death (well, kind of).

The Film has a message and it is not subtle.  So if you can't stand Jaa not kicking people's faces in for a good chunk of the Film, it will not be for you.  In many ways, you can compare this to Kill Bill Vol 2 vs. Vol 1.

Vol 1 had the setup, all of the big fights and a partial, yet satisfying Ending.  Vol 2 had lots more Plot in it, no fight as big as the Crazy 88s and ultimately wrapped up things.

This Film also focuses more on Buddhism, which is probably an issue for others.

If viewed as a whole, the Film is a nice counterpoint to the previous one with less fighting just to have it (although there's still plenty) and a Plot to actually tie it more strongly together. 
I'm at peace with that.  

A divisive Film, which was answered with, for better or worse, a return to the norm in his next Film.  For what it's worth, I don't hate this like so many others do.