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I understand that Americans, for the most part, don't seem to like subtitles in their foreign movies, and I can appreciate that. But then there are a sizable number of us who can't stand to see English voices dubbed in, either. So what is the recourse?
Well, Hollywood tends to remake them using big-name stars from our country, and usually twists the story a little bit in the process. Sometimes the results are pretty good, and other times, when the filmmakers dumb down a good story, it makes no sense.
There is a third option, though, and that's when the original filmmakers are involved in the remake. Odds are, the movie has a better chance of being close to the original. Japanese writer-director Takashi Shimizu was on board for remaking "Ju-on" (2000) into "The Grudge" (2004). Of course, there were a lot of visuals that made that movie scary, and it didn't require too much dialogue to deliver its message, so that helped.
When the 1999 Thai version of "Bangkok Dangerous" came out, the subtitles seemed annoying, but the twin directors, Oxide and Danny Pang, went more for the action and pulsating music, so reading the English at the bottom wasn't too bad.
The exterior scenes in Bangkok were gritty and unapologetic, so it was like another character. In the lead role of Joe the hitman was the very cool Pawalit Mongkolpisit, who reminded me of an Asian version of Johnny Depp, but without that swagger.
Well, Hollywood tends to remake them using big-name stars from our country, and usually twists the story a little bit in the process. Sometimes the results are pretty good, and other times, when the filmmakers dumb down a good story, it makes no sense.
There is a third option, though, and that's when the original filmmakers are involved in the remake. Odds are, the movie has a better chance of being close to the original. Japanese writer-director Takashi Shimizu was on board for remaking "Ju-on" (2000) into "The Grudge" (2004). Of course, there were a lot of visuals that made that movie scary, and it didn't require too much dialogue to deliver its message, so that helped.
When the 1999 Thai version of "Bangkok Dangerous" came out, the subtitles seemed annoying, but the twin directors, Oxide and Danny Pang, went more for the action and pulsating music, so reading the English at the bottom wasn't too bad.
The exterior scenes in Bangkok were gritty and unapologetic, so it was like another character. In the lead role of Joe the hitman was the very cool Pawalit Mongkolpisit, who reminded me of an Asian version of Johnny Depp, but without that swagger.
In the remake, the Pang brothers cast Nicolas Cage as the lone assassin. The flat, droll persona from so many of Cage's movies actually suits him well here in showing a disconnect from society.
Cage is pretty much the only Anglo in a cast of Asian leads in a location the Pang brothers recycled from the original. It adds to the corrupt feel and dark setting.
I like Cage, even though I never could quite see him as an action figure. He's more like the reluctant, not-by-choice anti-hero.
His nonchalant style is reinforced by his monotone voice-over explaining where and how far he has gotten in his career up this point, which is about to change suddenly.
Joe hires a subcontractor, Kong (Thai actor Shahkrit Yamnarm) to assist in eliminating his targets. (Is it just me, or is Cage becoming the William Shatner of hairpieces, now sporting a jet-black moptop with plugs?) He does have a lighter side, but, like in the original, it's a distraction.
Injecting a romantic element might have been an attempt to make Joe more human, but after you witness the jobs he already has done, spawning a conscience does seem out of character. He falls for Fon (Charlie Young), a pharmacist. Joe has to hide his true occupation from her and everyone else connected to her.
Cage is pretty much the only Anglo in a cast of Asian leads in a location the Pang brothers recycled from the original. It adds to the corrupt feel and dark setting.
I like Cage, even though I never could quite see him as an action figure. He's more like the reluctant, not-by-choice anti-hero.
His nonchalant style is reinforced by his monotone voice-over explaining where and how far he has gotten in his career up this point, which is about to change suddenly.
Joe hires a subcontractor, Kong (Thai actor Shahkrit Yamnarm) to assist in eliminating his targets. (Is it just me, or is Cage becoming the William Shatner of hairpieces, now sporting a jet-black moptop with plugs?) He does have a lighter side, but, like in the original, it's a distraction.
Injecting a romantic element might have been an attempt to make Joe more human, but after you witness the jobs he already has done, spawning a conscience does seem out of character. He falls for Fon (Charlie Young), a pharmacist. Joe has to hide his true occupation from her and everyone else connected to her.
Joe does have his boundaries, for the most part "eliminating" (love that word as a euphemism for "whacking a foe") the seedier guys, whom no one would miss anyway.
Joe does have feelings for Kong, whom he takes under his wing, but, like I said, having a kinder, gentler Joe is bad in a business that punishes those who let their guard down.
- Howie Nave is host/manager of The Improv comedy club inside Harveys and reviews films for seven radio stations throughout Northern California and Nevada, including Sirius Radio. He hosts "Howie's Morning Rush" on Tahoe's KRLT radio, and you can see his film reviews on "Howie's Late Night Rush" Monday through Friday at midnight on RSN. For past reviews, blogs and audio clips, visit www.HowieNave.com.
Joe does have feelings for Kong, whom he takes under his wing, but, like I said, having a kinder, gentler Joe is bad in a business that punishes those who let their guard down.
- Howie Nave is host/manager of The Improv comedy club inside Harveys and reviews films for seven radio stations throughout Northern California and Nevada, including Sirius Radio. He hosts "Howie's Morning Rush" on Tahoe's KRLT radio, and you can see his film reviews on "Howie's Late Night Rush" Monday through Friday at midnight on RSN. For past reviews, blogs and audio clips, visit www.HowieNave.com.
Keepin' it reel
NOW PLAYING: "Bangkok Dangerous"
STARRING: Nicolas Cage, Shahkrit Yamnarm, Charlie Young, Panward Hemmanee, Nirattisai Kaljaruek, Dom Hetrakul, Tuck Napaskorn, Steve Baldocchi, Chris Heebink, James With, Peter Shadrin, Arthajid Puengvicha, Duangjai Srisawang and Veerasak Boonchard DIRECTED BY: Oxide Pang Chun and Danny Pang Fat RATED: R for violence, language and some sexuality RUNNING TIME: 100 minutes HOWIE GIVES IT: 2 out of 5 bagels |
