This movies stars Tony Jaa, who is most likely the most famous Thai actor in recent times. In case you don't know, Tom Yum Gung is simply a type of Thai soup that is sour and spicy at the same time which isn't really all that uncommon in Thai cooking. There is no cooking of any sort that takes place in this film.
The film has almost nothing to do with food but rather with Tony Jaa's character having his elephant stolen from his family and his pursuit to retrieve it.
One thing you need to understand is that Tony Jaa's martial art style is unlike any other performer out there and it is quite impressive. I don't really even know how to explain it properly but i suppose it could be a mix of kung-fu, muay-thai, and theater. He is incredibly flexible and able to do flips from a standing position without the assistance of cables or special affects. It is rumored, in fact, that Tony is actually so rough in filming that many international stunt doubles quit or got injured during filming.
The film was released in the United States name "The Protector"
say what you will about Americans renaming fillms
I loved this movie and Tony Jaa is an incredible performer. There are rumors that he was offered tens of millions of dollars to move to USA and learn English (like a new-age Jakie Chan) but he turned it down. I have no idea if this is true.
Here is the trailer
To be honest, I feel as though the portions of this film that take place in Australia were unnecessary and kind of take away from the film as a whole since the "comic relief cop" can't speak English but plays an Australian Sergeant in the police force. I understand why they cast him because he is a very very famous Thai comedy actor but a lot of his sequences had to be overdubbed and it is quite obvious that he is not actually the one speaking.
The studios did this in order to pave the way to market the film to a larger and more international audience.... since we all like to make money, I guess we can't really blame them for that now, can we?
As always i welcome your comments and suggestions.
Ong-Bak 2 is my favourite Tony Jaa movie. He's martial arts style is b r u t a l :D
When i saw Tom Yum i thought you meant the sour soup lol.. i saw the movie but it was titled the Protector or so.. really nice movie indeed
Tom-Yum-Goong may refer to a shrimp dish in Thailand, but in this movie, it refers to a restaurant which serves as a front for illegal activities. Action fans need not wait too long for Tony Jaa action, as he plunges head on into fights with the Thai gangsters first, in their bungalow hideout. And that's just to whet your appetite for more mayhem! Bridging the fights from Thailand to Australia is a short boat chase scene that looked right out from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, but that's the only weak action sequence in Tom-Yum-Goong.
wow......Really Really awesome trailer....very interesting.
Any other act outside of Tony Gaya's martial arts style is different and it is quite impressive. @gooddream
Thanks for this review, you've inspired me to watch it !
Very interesting and watchful movie I have a great desire to watch this movie. Such movie in Thailand is often seen, I will also see this movie.
Look really an amazing movie , the story is so interesting , sure i will watch it.
wow, its impressing trailer................great share i think this movie everyone should watch..
I love action movies , and the story is amazing thanks for review it.
I don't know Tony, neither have I seen Tom Yum Gung, but with your description of Tom Yum Gun as one of the Thailand food which taste sour and spicy, then the title must be a parable with a mixed feelings... Just my idea.
This is so funny, I think Tom love it real, if you are not ready to make it real or at least look real, don't come near him... Ahahhahaha.
Thank you. Will try and watch it over the weekend.
Well I have watched this movie too. Tony jaa one of my favorite action hero. The ong bak series is a great one from him. I hope you have watched that one too.
My genre is action so I guess I would have watched a lot of them.
Thai movies are really a great action thrillers to watch. Tony jaa is an expert in muy Thai and his action sequence are so real.
Raid series is also a must watch, the action performed is so amazing.
Thanks for sharing this post with us.
Well I'm not familiar with Thai films or food at all. It seems like a very entertaining and kick ass movie. The intention of reach an international audience it's very common nowadays and understandable, so as you said we can't blame them, the american films do it all the time now. Thanks for suggest this movie.