Normally I am not a fan of remakes, and most of the time think they should not be made (like the possible OLD BOY and HARVEY remakes that are in the works), but this one I was actually impressed with. First off it it is the Pang’s themselves who are remaking their own film, now as a Hollywood action film, with a lot more money, and big name star (Nicholas Cage and Charlie Yeung, even if she is playing deaf and mute, but that does solve her not speaking Thai). And since the original was their first film, it was made on a shoestring budget, and here, not only does it look better, but it has some much bigger action set pieces. Not only that, but they were able to improve on the story a bit, making the whole thing more a tale of the Assassin’s redemption. Here he is not mute, the pharmacy girl is, and he wants to move on from his life, and starts to make connections with the world, of course he must still pay for his actions, but the film has more heart here, even if the Pharmacy story does get a bit sidelined, but overall the more streamlined story serves the film better. I also like the addition of some of his skills being taught, like always using reflections to look behind you. Very Cool! I greatly enjoyed the film, and think it is well worth checking out.

Nicholas Cage is a hitman named Joe, who lives by 3 rules, which keeps him out of contact of not only anyone alive, but his clients, and keeps him a rich man, and at the top of his game. In Europe he makes a kill, and has decided to take a 4 part job in Bangkok, and then retire. He overdoses his local fixer with heroin, severing any ties with him, and disappears to Bangkok, where he is going to work for the local ganglord Surat (Nirattisai Kajareuk), but he works to keep his identity always secret. Quickly he spots a local pickpocket named Kong (Shahkrit Yamnarm), who decides to make his local fixer, the one who will pick up his assignments and keep a layer between him and Surat. Kong goes to get Sarat’s assignments from a beautiful hostess named Aom (Panward Hemmanee) who works at an upscale club. He takes a liking to her right away, and wants to prove himself, buying her jewelry and the like.

REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS…

Joe’s first kill, against a guy in a car, goes slightly badly when a kid sees him, and the kid keeps following, and to avoid hitting the kid, Joe ends up hurting his arm, hitting it on some rebar. He goes to a local pharmacy, and that is where he meets the deaf and dumb Fon (Charlie Yeung Choi Lei), who though she can’t speak manages to give him stuff that really helps his arm, and he is quickly smitten by the sweet girl.

Surat decides to have his men follow Kong, but Kong realizes it, and calls Joe, and Joe sends the case back with a phone, and calls Surat, and as Surat looks at his wife and sees a laser site on her head, he tells him that if he sees his men again, that his wife will pay the price.

Joe kills his second assignment, a man Kong called a very bad man, who takes young women from the country and sells them for sex. He drowns him in a pool with a body guard and naked girl on the side completely oblivious.

Joe starts seeing Fon as much as he can, meeting her grandmother and becoming a fixture in her life.

Kong had gotten heroin from Surat to kill Kong when he was done, but instead he takes him on as a student, and begins to train him in the art of being the perfect assassin. Showing him how to always be aware of his surroundings, and even giving him a brand new motorcycle.

Kong goes with Joe for the third kill at the floating market, which starts to go bad, and a huge chase ensues. Joe ends up chasing his target who is in a boat on a motorcycle, but manages to take him out.

Joe and Fon go to a temple, and on the way out they are mugged, but Joe quickly kills the two attackers, and Fon sees it. In horror she runs away never wanting to see Joe again.

Joe gets his fourth kill and it is a big wig fighting crime in Thailand, someone that Kong says is a very good man. Joe realizes he has 2 choices, to not do the job, or to get a bunch more money, do it and get out, and he decides to do it, elaborately setting up so he can get away.

Surat though is not taking chances and decides to take Joe out to leave no connection. His men rape Aom and take her, and when Kong goes to get her, they take him too.

Joe goes to do the killing, but when he sees the faces of the people adoring the man he is supposed to kill, he can’t do it, and in his hesitation, he is seen, and the military opens fire on him. Joe manages to escape and get home, but Surat’s men show up, so he blows up his house, and sets out to save Kong and Aom, but first leaving a note apologizing to Fon and saying goodbye.

Joe heads to Surat’s headquarters and starts taking down gang members in a swath, looking for Kong. He finally gets to him, and sets Kong and Aom to get out safe, while he goes for Surat, a really bad man.

Joe manages to corner Surat in his car, but the cops have shown up, and Joe has been badly shot. So he goes into the car, and sits next to Surat, putting the gun to his head, and his head next to Surat’s, and shooting and killing them both, but saving Kong and Aom.

••••

Really a good action film, with a great story of redemption. Sure Joe could not survive, but he did redeem himself a bit, and he did want to be a better person, and he did finally do some good as well.

My only real complaint int he film is seeing Fon dance, how can a deaf and dumb girl dance, she can’t hear the music!

The action is improved, and the film looks great. This did not get the best reviews, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.