Striking Rescue (2024)

"I can't jump! I'm not Tony Jaa!"

If you are looking for a tight, nail-biting action film with strong acting, Striking Rescue ain’t it. If you are in the mood to see Tony Jaa cut loose with fierce elbows and knees on his opponents like he hasn’t done in recent history…this is it. My rating is comparing this film against other Jaa films.

Bai An is on a vengeful rampage after his wife and daughter are gunned down in front of him. Believing the perpetrator to be his wife’s boss, Chairman He Ying Hao, Bai An leaves no stone unturned and no body unbroken in his hunt for He. Lying in wait for He and his caravan travelling through the jungle, Bai An is surprised to find He’s crew attacked and He taken prisoner. In a strange trick of fate, Bai An ends up saving He’s daughter, Ting. The two join forces to find He with nearly everyone in town hunting the pair including Ting’s dutiful bodyguard, Wu Zheng.

The story was a flat framework used to hold up the fights. There were a half-dozen bad guys with their own crews of machete carrying minions that queued up for Bai An to pummel his way through. Despite his hatred of He, he risked his life repeatedly to keep Ting unharmed. Chen Duo Yi made the most of her damsel in distress role. Wu Zheng ended up being a nice fight buddy as the two reluctantly helped each other out. Two of the villains were wildly over the top which didn’t enhance the story. Shi Yan Neng played a villain he could do in his sleep at this point.

Now for a reason to watch this film. Tony Jaa at nearly 50 years old was amazing. I had to look up the fight choreographer and discovered it was Guo Yu Long. I’m not familiar with his work and it doesn’t look like he’s worked on many films, but he certainly knew how to showcase Tony’s talents. One of the best things about Tony’s fights was that he didn’t do a lot of rapid-fire punches that seemed pointless, unless it was the main villain. He aimed for the weak spots-elbows, shoulders, knees, and neck, which down an opponent immediately. Tony may be small but he’s mighty and a thing of frightening beauty to behold.

Striking Rescue may not have provided anything new in an action story and did run long, but it was good to see Tony in fine form again. I’ve missed his vicious knees and elbows. Don’t stay away so long, ‘kay? Rated on a Jaa curve. If you are a Tony fan, you’ll think it’s Jaa-some. If not, probably Jaa-ful.

21 March 2026

Trigger warnings: A few grisly fight scenes and a short operation scene. Child murder.

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