Hubby and I went to see "The Protector" a couple of weeks ago, much to Hubby's disdain. I could tell he really didn't want to see it, but he was sweet to go with me. He knows how much I loved "Ong-Bak" and as soon as I saw the trailer for "The Protector" I think he knew that we were going to see it in the theatre no matter what. I don't know how I ended up with a man who doesn't appreciate martial arts flicks, but that's neither here nor there.

The basic story is around a group of Thai people who are the protectors of the king's elephants. For centuries these people have raised and trained and protected the elephants that were chosen worthy enough for the king's use in battle and whatnot. Anyway, Tony Jaa's elephants (a huge male and his baby, the mother gets killed by poachers) get kidnapped and shipped to Sydney, Australia and his father gets killed in the process. He has sworn his life to protect these elephants so he goes to Sydney to rescue them. The bad guys want him dead so he gets in a lot of fights.

Those fight scenes are amazing! There's more hand to hand combat and not as many big action stunts than there was in "Ong-Bak", and it's incredible! Tony Jaa has replaced Jet Li in my heart as martial arts god. I love Jet Li, I really really do, but he's been doing too much wire work lately. Tony Jaa is all Tony Jaa. He does not use wires, it's all him baby! And he's incredible. There's this one scene where he runs up a window and while he's flipping in the sir, a motorbike crashes through it. It's phenominal!! And another scene where the villianess is hanging from a helicopter and he jumps off a building to grab onto her and they both fall. You can tell there were no wires involved and it's just too cool for words! Those Thai are crazy bastards! It's incredible what that man can do with his body(total loin-quiveration)!

All in all, the story is weak, but the action more than makes up for it as with most martial arts pics. I loved it and if you truly appreciate what martial artists do, then I think you'll like it too!