Raging Phoenix

[Drunk Monk]

Remember Chocolate? http://brotherhoodofdoom.com/phpBB3/view...f=9&t=1004

Jeeja's back for more. New from Baa Ram Ewe!

[youtube]ejM7ZCEzs5A[/youtube]

[Dr. Ivor Yeti]

Sign me up!

[Drunk Monk]

...this, Assassins & Bodyguards, & Mulan. Never did get a chance to show that Ong Bak 2 version with the fantitles... not sure it's b'fast worthy tho...

[Drunk Monk]

...but I'll concede that Raging Phoenix is a remarkable film. First off, it's high fantasy, like most martial arts movies, so if your trying to look at it from a logical "why don't they have guns?" perspective, you better just stop watching this film genre because it'll only frustrate you.

The choreography is outrageous - very inventive and a lot of great wire work. Unlike many so-called kung fu film fans, I enjoy wire work when it's well done. Wire work is extremely hard and dangerous. It's not a 'cheat' at all. Quite the opposite. But that's another subject. There's this insane blend of Muay Thai, kung fu, hip hop, tricking, parkour and ballroom dancing that actually works for this film - assuming of course you parked your brain outside as soon as you saw the pogo-stilt urban ninja fight (the first fight scene coming in within the first 15 minutes of the film). Like I said, despite it's initial modern feel, this is a fantasy film, so best to park your brain outside and remember where you parked. That being said, the fight choreography was very entertaining and imaginative.

I liked RP's overall aesthetic. The color schemes and background environments were really intriguing, lending more to that element of fantasy. The color schemes with all the overblown beach pastels and textured concrete were engaging.

I was NOT impressed by Jeeja's acting (how many times did she wail "Saniiiiiiiiiiiiiim!" More than Kirk said "Khaaaaaaaaan!" maybe ). She also had her bangs covering her face for too much of the film.

Two things would have made this a perfect film for me. #1 Jeeja should have stayed wrapped in cellophane for through to the finale. #2. The perfume should have had psychedelic effects.

Who was that villainess? We want to see more of her.

A DOOM film? Quite possibly. It's mostly unencumbered by plot so it would give us plenty of opportunities to chat and imbibe. I have a copy on DVD and will share if anyone wants to host.