The 2009 Thai actioner The Sanctuary shamelessly takes a big slice of inspiration from Ong Bak. While this film's star, Michael B, doesn't have the personality or moves of his former boss Tony Jaa, there's still more than enough fisticuffs on display here, showing why Thailand has become one of the go-to places for action fanatics to look to for satisfying new releases, or least ones that will feature more than their fair share of knee strikes to the head.

The plot isn't anything deep or meaningful. Basically, a group of evil foreigners led by Russell Wong (who also served as one of the producers on the film) steal some valuable antiques from a monastery, and it's up to the plucky Krit (Piroj Boongerd working under his stage name, Michael B) to get them back. As you might guess, many brutal fights ensue, much to the delight of the audience.

While The Sanctuary doesn't have the overall hard-hitting impact of the better Thai martial arts pictures that have come out over the past several years such as Ong Bak and Chocolate, the action that is contained in here -- besides some poor-looking and out-of-place CGI blood spurts -- is done well enough that viewers should be able to forgive the movie's shortcomings in the story and acting department, at least if they aren't too nit-picky.

Sure, there's really no way The Sanctuary could be considered a piece of great cinema. Obviously made for a very small budget, this film offers very little (if anything) in the way of a meaningful story or compelling acting. But sometimes, one just needs to turn off their brain for ninety minutes and enjoy the small bubble of bliss only well choreographed and shot sequences of pretend fighting can bring.

RATING: 6.5