Review: Sema the Warrior of Ayutthaya (Khun Suk)

• Directed by Thanit Jitnukul
• Starring Woravit Kaewphet, Poomarin Janjit, Jaran Ngamdee, Sawinee Pookaroon
• Released in Thailand cinemas in 2003; DVD with English subtitles released by Mangpong
• Rating: 2/5

Another historical battle epic from Bangrajan director Thanit Jitnukul. Ho hum.

This is a swordfighting movie - excellent examples of 17th-century Thai swordplay. They use some big blades that go CLANG! when they hit each other. Often, the guys use two of them, one in each hand. They must be heavy, but they are handled with grace.

The bigger guys are wielding big battle hammers. I don't know how they could swing those big things around with any agility at all. They make it look pretty easy.

Unfortunately, the great battle scenes are broken up by melodrama involving the title character - a commoner - who is in love with a beautiful princess. She fancies him as well but is promised to a rat-faced colonel who is the court's top swordsman. Just so happens Sema is pretty good with the blade as well, having grown up making swords and studying the art.

Ratface has a sister who is the loanshark for the village. When Sema's dad falls behind in payments, Sema's sister is put to work in the lady's household. The girl and Sema's best friend are in love, so this sets up more conflict that distracts from the battles.

Well, I guess movies can't be all battle scenes, now can they?

There's a big dumb guy who makes for comedy relief. At one point he is chased by a very fake looking, giant cobra. Not sure what that had to do with anything.