Yuthlert Sippapak‘s Bangkok Assassins (Bangkok Kung Fu, 2011) may look like a high-stakes butt kicking good time on the surface. Alas, the majority of the film focuses on the dull lives of its main characters. Gotta give huge props for the locations and settings in the film, and they are by far the best feature. Unfortunately, nothing seems to come together in Bangkok Assassins, and there are other martial arts films about vengeance with much better execution.

Four young children are kidnapped and forced to procure money on the street through performances. In captivity, they are abused to the point of where each of them is given a distinct disability. A Shaolin monk rescues them from their horrid conditions and teaches them martial arts techniques.  But when their master is killed by a mysterious organization, they must band together after a period of separation and avenge him.

There is some extreme violence in this film and the special effects were amateurish, but fun to watch. I was hoping for a little bit more from the characters in the way of their special powers which would have individualized their talents and may have achieved more significant action scenes. Each character “disability” that identifies each fighter as unique, also make them all the same. Hence, for all the acrobatics and tense atmosphere the film lacks depth and does little to draw interest in the story or film as a whole.

Overall, even with its mediocre special effects, nothing exciting really happens.

Bangkok Assassins special features include:

• Trailer Gallery 
• Widescreen Presentation
• Thai 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio
• English 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio
• Optional English and Spanish Subtitles

Jarinya Sirimongkolsakul,  Athikit Pringprom, and Visava Thaiyanont make their feature film debut in Bangkok Assassins with guest appearance by Sucharat Manaying from Chob Kod Like Chai Kod Love. Bangkok Assassins was featured as an official selection at the American Film Market in 2011.