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Bangkok Dangerous Review

Movies.com Critics

0.5

Dave White Profile

...You can always count on the hairpieces... Read full review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 2.0
    24

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Generally unfavorable reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 0

    out of 100

    Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman

    The filmmakers even manage to turn seamy Bangkok into the least exotic setting imaginable.

    Read Full Review

  • 30

    out of 100

    The New York Times Nathan Lee

    Of all the shoddy, insipid qualities of Bangkok Dangerous, the most egregious is the most fundamental: The film is simply dreadful to look at.

    Read Full Review

  • 40

    out of 100

    Los Angeles Times

    Pretty much all the things that made the original so original are filtered out of this un-original.

    Read Full Review

  • 50

    out of 100

    Variety

    Without the technical nastiness and fatal realism that made the initial film so compelling, the remake feels like a hollow excuse to present the myriad ways in which a bullet can pierce a cranium, rather than an edgy portrait of Third World violence.

    Read Full Review

  • 60

    out of 100

    The Hollywood Reporter

    Bangkok won't be making any appearances at the Oscars, but it is executed with skill and -- a severed limb or two notwithstanding -- without too much bloody excess.

    Read Full Review

  • See all Bangkok Dangerous reviews at Metacritic.com

For Families provided by Common Sense Media

Iffy for 15+

Slow action thriller from bored-looking Nic Cage.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this remake of a 1999 Thai thriller stars Nicolas Cage and has been targeting teen audiences -- and because of the hit man subject matter, it's likely to appeal to teen boys. Those who watch are in for a fair amount of violence, including a couple of grislier scenes of dismembered limbs. Two scenes feature a topless woman -- one during sex and another lounging. Other than those scenes, the sexuality is limited to flirting, embraces, hand-holding, and brief kisses. Nearly all of the movie's strong language (mostly "f--k" and its many derivatives) is spoken in Thai and subtitled in English. Expect some drinking and drug references, too.

  • Families can talk about the appeal of stories about assassins. Why are professional hit men the protagonists of so many action thrillers? Despite what they do, are they sympathetic characters? Why or why not? The movie implies that killing "bad" men is OK but killing "good" men isn't. What do you think about that message? What separates the "good" guys and the "bad" guys in this movie?

The good stuff
  • message true0

    Messages: At first the assassin believes there's no "right" or "wrong" and kills whomever he's paid to eliminate. But by the end of the film, he discovers his conscience and puts his life at risk to save someone else's.

What to watch for
  • violence false4

    Violence: Explicit violence is to be expected in an assassin thriller, but most of the violence here is on the tamer side -- until the final sequence. Joe usually kills his targets by shooting them from afar, but one is drowned and another is shot by a gun taken from his own amputated hand. There are a few beatings in addition to gun violence, and the last shoot-out involves some grislier moments of a torso-less man and a suicide/murder.

  • sex false4

    Sex: Sexy Thai go-go dancers perform at a club in several scenes. A middle-aged man is shown having sex with two young women; one is topless. A couple flirts, hugs, and kisses.

  • language false3

    Language: Surprisingly little cursing ... in English. Nearly all of the swear words are spoken in Thai and subtitled, including "f--k," "motherf---er," etc.

  • consumerism false2

    Consumerism: Some, but not excessive. Mercedes, cell phones, and a couple of expensive Japanese motorcycles.

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false3

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: Club-goers drink, as do gangsters at dinner; a cold bottle of beer is placed on a man's bruises; heroin is discussed and shown in a Ziploc bag, but it's not used.

Fan Reviews provided by

4

Ok people... by meccassault
first off, i hate it when people decide to put their two cents in when they haven't even seen it yet. Especially when they feel the need to knock it before it has even hit opening night. Then rate it too as if they have a clue as to what they are rating...you can't possibly rate something accurately based on what you ASSUME it will be. That is retarded. Now, I however did see it. If you like Cage films, then i think you will love this movie. Definitely one of his stronger films. I was interested throughout the whole film. Has a lot of action, some unexpected good acting from the whole cast of unknowns alongside Cage. The ending is unexpected to some degree and controversial. It ended strong but, not the way I had hoped or pictured it, which made it more realistic...i respect that even if i didn't want that. Let's just say it was def. worth going to see. why are you still reading this..go, now!

1

Dreary and Boring by Anpardavan
This was a very dreary and boring movie.The only reason I went was Nicholas Cage. If it wasn't for the shootings and an occasional nudge from my wife I would have easily fallen asleep. The whole theme of the movie was killing and taking lives. For me it was a waste of my money.

5

My Review by Dannyb1022
Dear Readers, Before traveling out to the nearest theater to watch Bangkok Dangerous, I scowled apon some of the reviews made by fellow movie viewers. First of all, to those who rated it apon how much gore, violence, and nudity was in the movie is quite irrational considering this movie was not only rated R, but apon viewing previews you will see how it is about an assassin's life which obviously would include gore and violence. Also, to those who rated it apon the love story that was also involved, I'm sorry to contradict you, but it kept the story held together to make for an oustanding ending. Last, I would like to see any movie that had a bad rating just because you dont like the actors hair. Since when did movies become a fashion contest? All in all this movie was an outstanding movie, and definitly worth your money and your best interest to see it. To all Nicholas Cage fans, he didn't dissapoint, believe me. Thanks for reading my review. Sincerely, Dan

1

Bangkok Dangerous by charles_w_shaffer
Awful - don't waste your money. Assassin Dude falls in love at first sight with a deaf foreigner!? How f-ing lame!!! This one falls flat except for the little bit of dancing Thai girls that you get to see.

1

Bangkok nightmare.... by gkm123
What a terrible movie. This summer has been one loser movie after another..and this one was the worst of all...Nick Cage looks like a crackhead, looks terrible and the movie just take forever to end..glad I went to a matinee and not spend full price for such a lousy movie.

4

bangkok dangerous by roynmaryanne
The movie was not exactly what I thought it would be. The focus seemed to be the character and the lonliness of his profession. I was not impressed with the ending. I love nicholas cage but will not purchase this movie for my collection.

1

The Mongoloid Returns by Bingoismynamo
This movie(and I use that word loosely) is horrific from beginning to end. From revolting dialogue, to Nicholas Cage's mongoloid acting, to a doltish plot, to trite special effects and finally the use of every movie cliche known to man. This movie promises everything and delivers nothing. If people keep going to see dreck like this then Nicholas Cage will continue to be employed in a profession that he has no talent for and Hollywood will continue to make movies like this.

3

Bangkok Dangerous by Carmen00622
If I were you, I will wait for the video and rent it. Not worth the price of the ticket. I did not like the ending.

3

Bangkok Sentimental by DreadPirateFable
Another movie about an angsty hitman who suddenly connects with people? Nothing original. Here we find Nicolas Cage (long unkempt hair and all) flying to Thailand for his next mission, brooding about the simple and lonely life of one who smites people for good money. Uh-oh! Bring in a new companion and a love interest, and things really start to get out of hand. The movie is entertaining enough--nothing epic, just a peek into a man's life filled with bullets. If it was anyone besides Nicolas Cage, I probably wouldn't have liked it as much. I must say though, I did like the woman who became the apple of his eye: a sweet pharmacist who was deaf. This is probably due to the fact that I know some sign language myself. So, if you do decide to watch this movie, I highly suggest a matinee. Spend your money on something better.

2

DON'T EXPECT MUCH by tammeron
WE WENT THIS MOVIE OVER THE WEEK-END, IT WAS MY HUSBAND AND I AND OUR 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. WE WERE ALL BORED. IT IS SOOOOO SLOW. WE HAD TO LEAVE ABOUT HALF WAY THROUGH IT. I LOVE CAGE, BUT THIS CAN WAIT FOR VIIDEO. YES IT HAS ACTION, BUT WHAT WE SAW DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH OR ENOUGH OF A LINE TO KEEP YOU INTERESTED. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE EVER GOT UP AND LEFT A MOVIE.

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