69
Metascore
28 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 100Film ThreatEric CamposFilm ThreatEric CamposSo just do yourself a favor, get out there and see Ong Bak. You’ll leave the theater bruised and battered, but you'll be happy about it.
- 80VarietyDerek ElleyVarietyDerek ElleyStrongly recalls Hong Kong kung-fu movies of the late '60s and '70s, with physical grit, over-the-top heroics and inventive fight choreography providing the entertainment.
- 80TimeRichard CorlissTimeRichard CorlissPummeling, exhilarating.
- 80Village VoiceVillage VoiceThe ferocious fighting moves (adapted from ancient Muay Thai manuals by veteran Thai martial arts director Phanna Rithikrai) that constitute Ong-Bak's money shots are often truly astonishing.
- 80L.A. WeeklyDavid ChuteL.A. WeeklyDavid ChuteHowever shrewdly he's been packaged, Tony Jaa is the real thing.
- 80The Hollywood ReporterThe Hollywood ReporterAn effective martial arts film destined to leave mouths agape.
- 80The New York TimesDana StevensThe New York TimesDana StevensMr. Jaa, blessed with astonishing muscle definition and a stoical, sensitive face, clearly has the potential to be an international action movie star, and Ong-Bak feels like the start of a scrappy, potent franchise.
- 80Los Angeles TimesKenneth TuranLos Angeles TimesKenneth TuranIt's a display of phenomenal dexterity and nimble grace that's a joy to watch. That, friends, is entertainment.
- 70The A.V. ClubScott TobiasThe A.V. ClubScott TobiasMakes up in action what it lacks in storytelling finesse.
- 70Dallas ObserverLuke Y. ThompsonDallas ObserverLuke Y. ThompsonOng-Bak's script, if you can call it that, is nothing but a series of setups for star Tony Jaa to show his stuff.