Opening Day: 7 April 2011

Synopsis: Nicha, a famous news reporter and editor from Thailand, knows a secret. There is an experiment on the world’s latest type of virus, which was created by a foreign pharmaceutical company, using Thai citizens as lab rats to test for the anti-virus. Nicha must find the victims before it’s too late. She has been chased by Shawn, a young executive of the foreign pharmaceutical company, who want to protect his company’s interest. And Jate, leader of the National Security Special Detachment needs to eliminate test subjects before the virus spreads throughout the country.

Movie Review:

Many action film have popped up like wild mushrooms in Thailand that had much recommendable word of mouth for its genre, may it be action or thier much beloved horror subjects. But unfortunately, not all that are produced and film in Thailand are of such calibre. Some are just merely a factor of entertainment for tthe family without the qualm of complicated plots and subplots in mind. “My Best Bodyguard” is such a film.

Here is the lo down. A gungho reporter Nicha, played by Ubolratana Rajakanya, princess of Thailand and the eldest child of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Regent Sirikit, uncovers the deadly secret of epic proportion which will wide spread and infect the people like a virus. Why create such monstrosity? Money of cos but even then, the plan laid out seems unjustly laid out. So it’s a race against time, investigating leads that eventually digs herself even deeper into her own grave. A plot spread out as thinly and plainly as one can get without much originality. That is until halfway through the film were a glimmer of hope strikes through where Nicha is torn between young executive of the foreign pharmaceutical company, who want to protect his company’s interest and Jate, the leader of the National Security Special Detachment who needs to eliminate test subjects before the virus spreads throughout the country. So not only they were running away from the villain and the national security, they also have to find the anti-virus before it kills them too! Alas, even with all the edge-of-your-seat premise, i did not care for any of them halfway through the film. There was a lack of chemistry all around and seem distant to each other’s reaction. I have a feeling that because of the royalty presence, there is a barrier that is pretty hard to overcome to be fully committed to a character chemistry.

We can all agree that the royal princess is no A-lister in the acting realm but kudos for her to step into an action genre to show her action chopping skills. There is always room for improvement but for now, word of advice, don’t deliver your lines like an announcement to the people. It may seem like a total disillusion of a self vanity project to fulfil ones inspiration, for which is very commendable in deed, one should look up to in this film as an inspiration, not for the value of the production but how no matter what the odds are, there’s always a way to reach for it and succeed. Also helps of you’re a royalty and has access to anything at snap of the finger.

Good news is that with royalty power, one has the ability to summon the big guns. Choppers and military vehicles galore. Shawn Yue as the villain, seemed perfect for the role but was rather awkward when his English lines started rather quite impressive but slowly lead to a string of garble and at times unable to understand completely. With that said, watch the film at your own risk as its not everybody's cup of tea. Or anybody in some opinion.

Movie Rating:



(At face value, entertainment may be possible to some but don’t look further than that)

Review by Lokman B S