Big thanks to WiseKwai's Thai Film Journal for pointing out that there is a new trailer for Thanapon Maliwan's Thai action flick Sanctuary now streaming on his production comapny website. Now, this is a film and a star that we have been tracking here for quite some time. The star is Mike B, who got his start as a stunt man for Tony Jaa and Panna Rittikrai and did some key work in Ong Bak. Mike previously starred in Brave, an action flick also directed by Maliwan which was severely hampered by a not-very-funny comedic sidekick shoehorned into the film by outside investors. This one, however, looks to be far more serious in tone.
It began life as a project titled Dead End, one that was about to begin principal photography before the financing fell apart before being resurrected as Sanctuary. The observant among you will recognize some of the old Dead End sales footage in this trailer - hello, tower of cars! - but there's a good amount of new stuff as well. Here's a brief synopsis:
A young Muay Thai warrior is accused of stealing a holy emerald that his master appointed him to protect. Now on the run from the police, he must retrieve the emerald from the mafia in order to prove his innocence and return the emerald to its holy place.
Blah! I bought Brave and it was a disappointment regardless of the sidekick situation. Mike B is a good stuntman but the moves are too slow and calculated. Too many pauses to set up the impact. They are trying so hard to offer another Tony Jaa. Come with another discipline or martial Arts style and maybe you will have my interest...
Trailer site is down. I'm going to echo the sentiment that Brave wasn't very good, but I'll reserve judgement on this for now.
Have to agree with seventh and mike, Brave wasnt just dissapointing, it was truly awful, unacceptable by today's standards to be totally honest.
The action is far to slow, and Mike B's attacks looks no where near as crushing as Tony Ja, he seems quite weak, cleary very fit, but perhaps better used as a stunt man and no more. The comedy factor, if you could call it that, was just bizzare, and gives the impression that the director himself was constantly confused as to whether he was making a serious action movie or a comedy, with many scenes going from one paralell to another in an instant.
This would need to be better by far, and yes it is perhaps unfair comparing Mike B to Ja, but that's his competition Im afraid, if it cant be bettered people should stop trying.