video cover

Somtum
(aka Som Tum, Muay Thai Giant)
2008; directed by Nontakorn Taweesuke

After leaving the WWE in 2003, strongman/pro wrestler Nathan Jones turned his attention towards a movie career, playing the heavy against such notable onscreen opponents as Tony Jaa (Tom Yung Goong) and Jet Li (Fearless), where his imposing six-foot eleven-inch frame made him an impressive villain. Jones scored his first leading role with the 2008 Thai picture Somtum (renamed to Muay Thai Giant for its' recent US video release) which pulls a switcheroo with his usual tough-guy image and casts him as a gentle giant in a kid-friendly production.

Somtum aka Muay Thai Giant    Somtum aka Muay Thai Giant

To clarify a bit for those confused about the "kid-friendly" label issued above and the US version's R rating, after viewing this film, it's puzzling why as to why the harsher rating was issued. The rating was given for the nebulous reason of "some violence", but really, Somtum isn't even as violent as many PG-13 movies. Besides a bit of blood shown during the end fight, which isn't as bad as something you'd see on your average episode of CSI, there is (at least in this reviewer's opinion) very little that parents might find objectionable to showing older kids. This is the sort of action picture where people fight with papayas, not guns or knives, in their hands.

Somtum aka Muay Thai Giant    Somtum aka Muay Thai Giant

Anyway, getting back to the crux of the film itself, even though Nathan Jones is the defacto star, Somtum could really be considered a reunion of sorts for performers that have appeared in action director Panna Rittikrai's previous efforts. The most notable of these, and really the main attraction of the film, is young Sasisa Jindamanee (previously seen in Rittikrai's Born to Fight) who really raises the bar as far as teen actors in action films go. Not only does she perform jaw-dropping moves that will actually have you believing that she can beat grown men, but she's actually a solid actor as well, far beyond the usual whining and screeching teen girls usually belt out in films and TV.

Somtum aka Muay Thai Giant    Somtum aka Muay Thai Giant

Even though the acting and action featured in Somtum is solid for the most part, it ultimately doesn't warrant a higher rating of the erratic pacing. The film really takes far too long to get going, and doesn't really seem to find its' groove until mid-way through. Until then, older viewers might find the jokes and Popeye-esque gimmick of Nathan Jones turning into a beast after eating spicy salad a little too silly and broad. Once things do begin to click, though, Somtum does offer up enough action to at least warrant a rental, no matter the viewer's age.

RATING: 6.5

US DVD cover

DVD Information

Released through Magnolia's genre label, Magnet, the main feature on the DVD runs 102 minutes and sports a crisp anamorphic widescreen picture in a 1.78:1 ratio. The Dolby 5.1 soundtrack can be listened to in Thai or English, with easy to read English and Spanish subtitles available. Extras include trailers for the movie and several other Magnolia releases, as well as two behind-the-scenes featurettes.

The DVD and Blu-Ray are available at Amazon.

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