It takes
a lot for me to rate a hitman film this low, but this deserves it. This is
directed by Wych Kaosayananda, who some might know for One Night in Bangkok,
Zero Tolerance and Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever. I have seen the first two and
they are quite bad and the last one has a reputation as one of the worst
action films ever - though admittedly with Lucy Liu in it, I would gladly
put myself through the pain. Wych is Thai and here is the weirdest thing
about this film - it is primarily shot in Bangkok but you would have to be
eagle-eyed to know it. Now I know that Vancouver is often substituted for
New York City or Los Angeles - but making Bangkok seem like some generic
Western city seems a really odd choice. It's fucking Bangkok - visually one
of the most incredible places in the world. But it seems that Wych doesn't
want us to know that. Nearly all the actors are farangs (foreigners), no
Thai is spoken, no scenes where it is obvious to most - but all the extras
are clearly Thai, all the thugs are Thai, the highway signs have Thai on
them if you squint and the Camp Safari where the killer goes is in Bangkok.
Kind of a bummer. For marketing purposes?
Besides that though, everything about the
film from plot to acting to action is awful. In a quote on IMDB, Wych says
something to the effect that he is strictly a director for hire - point the
camera and shoot with none of his own vision. So, we can blame it on the
producers. Jack Kesey plays Bang like a block of petrified wood as
he goes around killing people for money. He is part of a killer group headed
by Peter Weller. Weller is the film's only redeeming factor - often speaking
Italian for no reason and handing out orders to kill like a take-out restaurant.
Bang's first kill in the film is a fellow who just got out of jail (where
the inmates and guards are all non-Thai) and has gone home to celebrate with
his multiple bodyguards and two hookers waiting for him. Damn, Bang doesn't
even give him time for his bang and kills them all (other than the two topless
ladies). And videos it as he does so. Back at HQ, Weller does a play by play
like Howard Cosell for the gang of the kills.
Now the film turns gooey. Bang is shot seven
times in the chest - that would kill most of us - but Bang is tough and survives
in time to get to the hospital and have a heart transplant. From some fellow
who was driving his pregnant wife to the hospital for delivery. If you are
sappy, you might figure out where this is going. New heart, new person. A
better person. But earlier he saw Weller kill one of the gang because he
was going to get married. So no telling the Boss. He starts following the
woman (Marie Broenner) and the baby around and then chats with her. I have
a piece of your husband inside me. More romantic words were never spoken.
He is now Mr. Nice Guy and doesn't want
to kill anymore - so he comes up with a plan - more ridiculous than you can
guess. The action unfortunately doesn't raise the film above the plot and
acting - it is basically point your gun, fire, the other guy falls down with
a spot of red on his head. No choreography to speak of until near the end
when Kane Kosugi shows up to have a little fight. Goodbye Bangkok. It was
nice almost seeing you. Oh, before I forget - that Ferris Wheel where he
has sex is located at Asiatique - and credit Wyche with getting the shot
from a helicopter. That must have been his vision. I have been on it but
sad to say not like he was. I would not advise it, but up to you.
