Search - Vengeance [Blu-ray] on Blu-ray

A solid Blu-ray release from Thailand

K. Napier | Loyall, Kentucky USA | 08/03/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I watched this film on Blu-ray Disc.

At the time of this review there aren't any other reviews. This doesn't make any sense to me. Normally films like this draw a cult following fairly quick. It falls into so many different genre's that it's impossible to label it.

I really enjoyed this film. The CGI was a little weak, but the Director himself mentions in a "making of" short on the Blu-ray disc that the CGI is probably some of the best for any Thai films to this date. It definately wasn't weak enough to take away from my enjoyment of the film. Keep in mind I'm comparing it to a Hollywood film, it still stands heads & shoulders above anything made for the Sci-Fi channel.

Story was solid. Some of the acting was a little soft for some minor characters, but the main characters gave a strong performance.

Beware of the product description. This movie is definitely action/adventure, but most definitely NOT a martial arts film. Essentially it's a story about a magic jungle where mythical creatures live. A group of cops are hunting some escaped convicts who are trying to find "riches" in the jungle. The story spans over a couple of decades and has a pretty cool ending that I didn't see coming. This is a monster/cops & robbers/demons/magic movie with some time travel mixed in.

It looks and sounds amazing on Blu-ray. The picture remains sharp throughout and only drops in quality during the CGI scenes which is understandable for a film of this type.

There isn't a lossless audio track on the disc however the Thai Dolby 5.1 soundtrack remains strong. The rears were definitely being utilized for added atmosphere. I can't comment on the English 2.0 track. I hate watching dubbed films and couldn't imagine trading a 5.1 for a 2.0 even to watch a film in my native tongue. The only English audio option is the 2.0 track. I believe that most of the people who'll enjoy this film fall into the "rather see it with subtitles than watch it dubbed in English" category anyway.

I couldn't bring myself to give this film 5 stars due to some of the less than perfect acting and some soft CGI (mostly where the High Def picture quality drops too). All in all this is an excellent movie that speaks of some future potential from Thailand. A definite rental, but for the price I think I'm going to add this one to my collection. I can see myself wanting to watch this film again someday."

A mighty fine piece of Thai horror/fantasy

trashcanman | Hanford, CA United States | 11/02/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

""Vengeance" is an encouraging step forward for Thailand's film industry and an all-around solid flick. As evidenced by the making-of featurette where they explain the process of computer generated imaging to what I assume is a Thai audience unfamiliar with the technique, the film industry there is better known for stunt-heavy practical effects in martial-arts films like Ong-Bak - The Thai Warrior. But here, we get an Asian fantasy romp with full-on CG beasts that don't look half bad and a pretty great story that culminates with the lead character seeking revenge in the past for the wrongs of the present. It's a very cool concept that doesn't make itself evident until the film's final scenes. The rest is filled with gritty human violence and lots of supernatural jungle menaces that keep you on your toes. Not too shabby.

The film opens with what are obviously flashback shots interspersed with the credits. PAY ATTENTION! This seems pointless, but is actually vital to understanding the ending. Back to the present day: a group of murderous thieves steal an artifact (an engraved disc said to bestow magic powers). A police officer rounds up a posse to go after the bad guys. But when they flee into a forest, their guide balks declaring he's rather go to prison than enter the cursed place. Now, some people would say "don't go in there!" at this point, but seriously: who doesn't want to see what's up with the haunted jungle? I know I do. Killer swarm of wasps stripping flesh from bone before our very eyes? Cool, but I know you can do better. Mexican standoff between cops and robbers interrupted by a swarm of flesh-eating alligator lizards descending from the trees? Give me more. Giant snake that looks like the offspring of Dragon Wars? Almost there. Naked vampire ladies bathing each other and beckoning to errant campers? DING! DING! DING! We have ourselves a winner! Now again, I know some people would say "don't go to the beautiful naked ladies bathing each other in the middle of the haunted jungle in the middle of the night", but in spite of my decades of studying horror, mythology, folklore, and everything else that goes bump in the night, I'm falling into that trap 10 times out of 10. What can I say? It's the way I want to go out. God bless you, Fruit Tree Maidens (that's what they're called): you made my day and this movie. Guy in the jungle who watched the whole thing with his hand down his pants: I really wanted you to die. You're icky.

Okay, back on point. The good guys wind up picking up a couple of jungle locals in the form of.....two beautiful and mysterious girls. Hidden agenda, ya think? There is actually this amazingly beautiful scene with the hero and one of the girls are holding each other while fireflies drift lazily around them. It's subtle, romantic in the most genuine way, and just a wonderfully shot scene that really sets a mood and makes a platonic romance given almost zero time to develop work dramatically. Once we get to the girls' village the pieces finally start to come together as all hell breaks loose. The climax, while heavy on action is actually pretty poorly thought out. The final menaces come off like lightweights after being built up wonderfully and that just brings me down. Also: deus-ex-machina no es bueno. The film had a ton going for it, but in the end it definitely could have done a lot more with what it had. The ending, on the other hand, is pretty great and fitting even if it sort of comes out of nowhere. an overarching theme of the futility of dwelling on the past or revenge would have served this film nicely.

The action veers well away from the choreographed martial-arts and stylish gunplay we are used to from Asian action films and goes for a much more gritty, realistic feel. I like. "Vengeance" sports a little gore, teasing nudity, and some cursing but not much of any of that good stuff. But with decent special effects, a creepy atmosphere, lots of action, and an ending that makes all the pieces fit together this is absolutely a movie you will want to have a look at if Asian cinema is your bag. Enjoy.


"

Vengeance served warm

Neil Barto | 08/04/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Vengeance isn't a terrible movie but it isn't a great movie either. It contains an interesting plot witin a plot within a plot that somewhat works. A team of police officers is sent after a group of ruthless criminals who try to get away by heading into a cursed Jungle filled with bees that eat human flesh, alligator like creatures that hunt in herds and a giant snake. Once inside the jungle, police officers and criminals are all treated alike by the inhabitants except for a girl from an unusual tribe who befriends and falls in love with the head police officer. Vampire/cannibalism insues with only a time medallion that can set things straight, or begin it all over again. The special effects are subpar, but better than what you see on the SC-FI Channel. There is an interesting making of feature as well."