Review: Goodman Town

• Directed by Sakchai Sribonnam.
• Starring Watchara Tangkaprasert , Suppakorn Kitsuwan , Archariya BuaSuwan.
• Released on region-free DVD with English subtitles

Set in an arid, post-apocalyptic world, this action comedy gets some good marks for lively action sequences and colorful characters. But the story often doesn't make sense and the action is repetitive.

Invariably, any reviewer that's seen it picks up on the similarities to Mad Max and Road Warrior. It also reminded me of Six-String Samurai, but with more explosions. But instead of gasoline being the sought-after commodity, it's bullets. Bullets for fuel. Bullets for water.

The story concerns a lone hero, driving his van across the dusty plains looking for fuel and water. His name is Mr. Climax. He enters the picture as two opposing forces of are ready to face off -- the Afghani-like outcast militants of Dark Commune and the people of the more prosperous Goodman Town, which is run by the evil but stupid Tiger Yai.

While they are burrowing underground in a move to attack Goodman Town, the Dark Commune folks contrive a way to distract Tiger Yai - they send a false fortuneteller (an unfortunate one-eyed, wheel-chair-bound man) to tell Tiger Yai he must be married to a certain woman in four days.

That woman turns out to be Mr. Climax's wife, whom he has forgotten because he has amnesia.

The mix also includes four killers who Climax used to be the leader of: Earth, Wind, Fire and Water. These are among the more colorful characters, as each has a distinct weapons choice (one favors a nickel-plated shotgun; another is a flaming stereotyped gay).