Film: The Protector
Genre: Action/Martial Arts
Release Date: September 8th, 2006
Distributor: Weinstein Company
MPAA Rating: R
Running Time: 1 hrs. 49 min.
Review by Sirus, Dack, Thecoojo

Starring:
Tony Jaa

Sirus's Take;

The Protector stars Thai actor Tony Jaa as a member of a people who have been raising elephants for generations because it is believed that great power can be gained from the elephants. One day, while going to the ceremony to get the elephant checked out to see if its worthy for the king, it turns out that they were drawn into a trap by the poachers. Both elephants they bring are captured and Jaa’s character, sets out intent on rescuing the elephants and getting vengeance for his family.

What makes the movie really shine is skill of Tony Jaa. Jaa is the best new martial arts master. His fighting totally oozes style and you will begin to wonder at some points if he is really the one fighting. And yes, Jaa does all his own stunts and he even choreographed the entire movie. The action scenes in the movie are non stop, the best action anyone could ask for.

The movie is very emotionally charged. It starts you out with Jaa’s character as a kid in his peaceful village growing up with the elephants. The elephants are made out like characters and you really feel like they are part of Jaa’s family. Anyone who likes martial arts movies for the action or Asian Cinema for its emotion should definitely watch this. It is a solemn reminder of the ways of honor that so many rich people have thrown away.

Sirus's Rating: 5/5 Stars

Dack's Take;

The Protector is Tony Jaa's chance to shine, and show the world that he is the next big thing in Martial Arts. Does he accomplish that? You bet your elephant he does!

The Protector is about a boy who grew up raising elephants for the royal family. He grows very attatched to a mother elephant, and her young daughter. After getting tricked by poachers that steal both elephants, he must find out who took them, and seek some revenge. Jaa Style.

If I had a Nickle for every enemy bone that Jaa breaks in The Protector, I'd probably have about $15 bucks. The story in the protector is flimsy. Alot of it doesn't make much sense and seems like a set-up for the next 20 minute rampage. But I have no problem with that. The story was above par for Martial Arts flicks, but who goes to these type of movies for story? You want to see a Karate master use some awe-inspiring moves and you want to see plenty of it! The Protector delievers so many amazing fight scenes, all of which are real, chorographed by Jaa himself. The biggest flaw of The Protector is the Half Dubbing/Half Subtitle system they used. One minute a character would be speaking in terribly dubbed english, the next, subtitled Korean. I have no idea why they did this. There's not much dialogue in The Protector, and subtitling the movie 100% would have been just fine. We can hope that on DVD, there is a full subtitle option.

Is The Protector as good as District B13? Not Quite. Is it better then Crank? Action-wise yes, story-wise, no. But it is still a great martial arts movie, that deserves to be seen after you see Crank, District B13, and Fearless. Crank, Fearless, and The Protector all open this month, why not go for a triple feature? You'll be wall jumping and kicking things for days to come.

Dack's Rating: 4/5 Stars

Final Rating 4.5/5 Stars