When I was a kid I was introduced to a plethora of fighting kids movies, all of which featured children who could very well either kick the crap out of me, or kick the crap out of someone for me. I always marveled at the talent and display seen in films like “3 Ninjas” and it’s nice to know with a certain movie about a karate kid starring Will Smith 2.0 getting all the hype, we can marvel at true talent like the variety displayed in “Power Kids.” The Thai martial arts film from Krissanapong Rachata barely clocks in at seventy minutes and possesses about two fold the raw talent displayed in the previously mentioned stink fest. Kroo Lek and his family of orphans are a proud clan, people who earn their keep and train each other in the fine art of Thai Boxing.
Unfortunately their youngest is in desperate need of a heart transplant and the odds of him making it alive are slim. Even if they’re unwilling to admit it. All three writers for “Power Kids” stage the movie like a television melodrama, introducing individual personalities and all five children present varying personalities that will make them redeemable and entertaining personas (Nantawooti Boonrapsap is especially memorable as wise oldest brother Wuth, and you have to love Sasisa Jindamanee as lone female family member Catt) throughout “Force of Five.” As the stress and turmoil increases among the small family who watch their fortune dwindling in the face of their little brother Wun’s increasing failing health as the days pass.
Much like its Thai brother and successful import “Ong Bak,” the writing for this particular film is a lot about class structure and struggle to make ends meet for a small village. Where Tony Jaa popularized the journey of a man to save his small village of people, this chronicles the struggles of five kids to save their family that also doubles as a village among them. Their fight to keep Wun alive leads them in to woe and misery, especially in the face of his birthday, and they come across a special hospital overrun by terrorists that happens to house the very transplant that could save his life. Wun’s life is fading and the hostage situation is increasing. Thus the journey for crime with the best of intentions continues, and the five must rescue the heart and in the process become a powerhouse of brilliant choreography and insanely amazing stunts.
Their resiliency in the face of adversity becomes an admirable trait as their head strong capability in saving this heart despite imminent death becomes a feat so admirable even their master finds it impossible to be upset at them. “Force of Five” is most importantly about the power of family and the unity it can build against impossible odds and it culminates in to a damn fine film that avoids pitfalls we’ve seen in “Spy Kids” or “Karate Kid.” When these kids hit adults, they hit to hurt. “Force of Five” is a martial arts tale that tries to be as humanistic as possible within the confines of its run time. The purpose of the film is primarily the fight sequences and director Rachata doesn’t skimp on the excellent fight scenes with much of the children up to the task to take on their adult counterparts. And there’s plenty between them as they enter in to the hospital to fight guards and soldiers alike.
As the race against time becomes ever more rigorous, “Force of Five” becomes an ever more fierce piece of action cinema suitable for the whole family, but primarily suited for action movie lovers in the market to watch some good old fashioned butt kicking by prepubescent all stars who could show most American movie stars how it’s done. I had a blast with “Force of Five” as a tale of growing up and as a pure piece of far fetched action cinema. In a world where kids are being groomed as action stars, it’s nice to see five who fit the bill. Sharp action filmmaking abounds as “Force of Five” is a marvel of martial arts cinema, a display of entertainment prowess and pure storytelling, director Krissanapong Rachata’s action film centered around five butt kicking kids is a superb time had by all, especially those in mood for actual karate kids.