Skin Trade is truly the definition of an 80's - 90's cop-flick. It had a very concurrent and relevant underlying theme in regards to today's global issues, which the title pretty much gives away. Though I feel the core audience of this film is not the right crowd to appeal to, I think many of us can still appreciate that the issues raised in Skin Trade are very real and indeed, serious.
Now, there are plenty of reviews talking about the filmography, plot holes and loose ends, so I will not spend more time repeating similar comments. I know myself and many others watched this film for one reason and one reason only-- Tony Jaa, so that's all I'm going to talk about.
Deep down, we appreciate Tony for the raw beauty of his form. His debut in Ong Bak was breathtaking because of his dedication to achieve perfection with zero post processing, zero stunt-men, and zero in- film cuts. Whereas Ong Bok's filming technique and equipment was extremely outdated, its simplicity in fact complimented Tony's ability to deliver satisfying blows with full shots of every movement. This was even better demonstrated in Tom Yum Goong. Albeit the plot was nothing short of pathetic, Tom Yum Goong had a nearly four minute long uncut fighting scene where Tony ripped through an army of henchmen and obstacles with zero tolerance for mistake.
For true martial arts fans, the above is undeniably what Tony is all about. And in his recent films, Skin Trade especially, fans were completely denied of this satisfaction. Aside from the overwhelming dependence on firearms and explosions, there is an absolute lack of fist fights. The positive reviews out there boasting this film's "bare fist violence" are nothing short of blatant lies.
Regarding the brief and bland fights that apparently pleased many, here's a more accurate depiction. The choreography looked amateur, the fights lacked creativity, and worst of all, the shots were abysmal!! Throughout the entire film, there was not a single movement, strike, kick, jump, or flip that did not look like it was filmed and cut by some kid in his first year of film school. We know what Tony is capable of, yet the film managed to make EVERY, SINGLE, ONE, of his moves look like it was stitched together by 5 different shots of 5 different stunt-men. It was pathetic. I know Ong Bak was 12 years ago and all, and Tony has aged plenty since, but this is simply unacceptable!
To those who claim this is a true "Tony film" and found it satisfying, I feel like we watched a completely different movie altogether. I've watched all of Tony's early works multiple times and powered through his more recent works at least once. Skin Trade is by far the worst possible representation of Tony Jaa.
Now, there are plenty of reviews talking about the filmography, plot holes and loose ends, so I will not spend more time repeating similar comments. I know myself and many others watched this film for one reason and one reason only-- Tony Jaa, so that's all I'm going to talk about.
Deep down, we appreciate Tony for the raw beauty of his form. His debut in Ong Bak was breathtaking because of his dedication to achieve perfection with zero post processing, zero stunt-men, and zero in- film cuts. Whereas Ong Bok's filming technique and equipment was extremely outdated, its simplicity in fact complimented Tony's ability to deliver satisfying blows with full shots of every movement. This was even better demonstrated in Tom Yum Goong. Albeit the plot was nothing short of pathetic, Tom Yum Goong had a nearly four minute long uncut fighting scene where Tony ripped through an army of henchmen and obstacles with zero tolerance for mistake.
For true martial arts fans, the above is undeniably what Tony is all about. And in his recent films, Skin Trade especially, fans were completely denied of this satisfaction. Aside from the overwhelming dependence on firearms and explosions, there is an absolute lack of fist fights. The positive reviews out there boasting this film's "bare fist violence" are nothing short of blatant lies.
Regarding the brief and bland fights that apparently pleased many, here's a more accurate depiction. The choreography looked amateur, the fights lacked creativity, and worst of all, the shots were abysmal!! Throughout the entire film, there was not a single movement, strike, kick, jump, or flip that did not look like it was filmed and cut by some kid in his first year of film school. We know what Tony is capable of, yet the film managed to make EVERY, SINGLE, ONE, of his moves look like it was stitched together by 5 different shots of 5 different stunt-men. It was pathetic. I know Ong Bak was 12 years ago and all, and Tony has aged plenty since, but this is simply unacceptable!
To those who claim this is a true "Tony film" and found it satisfying, I feel like we watched a completely different movie altogether. I've watched all of Tony's early works multiple times and powered through his more recent works at least once. Skin Trade is by far the worst possible representation of Tony Jaa.