CHOCOLATE (2008)

Directed By: Prachya Pinkaew 
Written By: Napalee & Chookiat Sakveerakul 
Cinematography: Decha Srimantra 
Editor: Rashane Limtrakul & Pop Surasakuwa 


Cast: Jeeja Yanin, Hiroshi Abe, Ammara Siriphong 


When Zin, former girlfriend of a Thai mob boss, falls for Masashi, a Japanese gangster in Thailand, the boss banishes them: Masashi to Japan, and Zin, with her small daughter Zen, to live next to a martial arts school. Zen is autistic, with uncanny swift reflexes. She watches the students next door and Muay Thai movies, absorbing every technique. She's now a teen, and her mother needs chemotherapy. Zin has taken in a chubby kid, Moom, who watches over Zen. Moom finds a ledger listing business men who owe Zin money; he goes to them one at a time to collect in order to pay for Zin's treatment. Zen, with her martial skills, becomes his enforcer. A showdown with the boss is inevitable.

Now here is an undiscovered action gem that should also appeal to the artistic crowd a little. As it is a foreign film and a Kung-Fu film. Which should please the action audience.

The added attraction is that the hero of the story is female. Which can be rare in an action film especially an international one. So that you feel proud and fascinated at the same time. As the film doesn’t pull any punches and stays balls to wall with hand to hand combat throughout. If a man played the main role i’m not so sure it would be as noteworthy or exciting.

You have to at least admire a film where the villains lead henchman is a cross dresser. The film modernizes the action tale. While adding a bit of humor.

The film is a pretty simple endeavor story wise. As that is mostly set up for the action sequences. This film could have easily been made in the 1970’s, 80’s or 90’s and it still wouldn’t have changed anything other then the film stock.

The film is short and still moves at a brisk pace before. So that before you know it, it’s over.

The film doesn’t suffer from Common problems That most martial arts films seem to have where the action sequences feel repetitive. Here you remember each one individually.

The stakes do rise slightly with each fight until the mesmerizing final battle that seems to throw everything into it.

This film is directed by the same man who directed ONG-BAK and again makes a memorable action film. He also gives a nod to his previous films by having the lead character watch and learn from those films starring Tony Jaa

Now here is a little gem that should appeal to the art crowd as it is a foreign film and a kung-fu flick which should please the Action audience. The added attraction is that the hero of the story is female which is so rare that it makes you feel proud and fascinated at the same time.

When it comes to the violence at least the heroine isn’t malicious when it comes to handing out the pain. She is usually attacked first and is more defending herself then anything.

You have to at least admire a film where the villains lead henchman is a cross-dresser. It modernizes the tale while adding a bit of humor to a film that is pretty simple story wise it could have been made during the 70’s, 80’s or 90’s and you still wouldn’t have had to change anything really.

If a man played the main role I’m not sure it would be as noteworthy or exciting.

The film is short and still moves at a fast pace before you know it. It’s over.

The film doesn’t suffer from common problems I seem to find with most kung-fu movies. The action scenes don’t feel repetitive. You remember each sequence individually.

The Stakes do rise slightly with each fight until the inevitable mesmerizing final battle that seems to throw everything into it.

The film starts off as a love story with the two lovers torn apart and then the movie moves to there off spring who has developmental problems but has a talent that she can mimic any fighting style just by seeing it on tv almost like in THE MATRIX but this story tries to stay close to reality. Her mother develops cancer and needs expensive medicine so her cousin decides to track down people who owe her money he is the daughter’s caretaker so he brings her along and when the people don’t like them asking for money and react violently she basically defends them. Tons of action, Tons of impressive stunts.

When it comes to action sequences stunts are a must but one finds the best ones mesmerizing because it’s Like watching a musical where you can see the full bodies and not only is the choreography tight but the moves seem almost acrobatic yet effortless. Like all in a day’s work despite the presentation and display.

It’s not Gaudy except for the violence it could almost be family friendly.

Grade: B-