One thing Hollywood hasn’t learnt yet (even though it might as well do it, given the previous experiences) is that its adaptations of flicks of other cultures will never be successful. Hollywood hasn’t enough stamina and vibe to revive all that’s necessary to make a genuine gig, unfortunately. What’s even more unfortunate is that these mistakes are persistent and no one seems to be aware of that.

The history of “Bangkok Dangerous” dates back to 1999, when the original Thai movie was released under the signature of Oxide Pang Chun and Danny Pang, both directors and writers. The pic back then was the perfect embodiment of the title. Bangkok was extremely dangerous and the plot was thrilling. Nine years after that, “Bangkok” returns, but weakened. The direction is signed by the Pang brothers and the leading character is in the hands of Nicholas Cage.

So, Cage plays the protagonist, whose name is Joe, but he is no regular Joe. He is a ruthless hitman, a solitary man, trained to be an assassin and paid consequently. “The work is steady, the money's good ... but it's not for everyone,” as he explains it. Even though we don’t get to discover what led him to his ‘profession,’ we learn from the very beginning that he’s good at it. Probably he even enjoys it, although he himself confesses that he has nobody.

The intrigue of the plot is constituted by his leaving for Bangkok, on holiday, as he declares at the custom office. Evidently, his vacation plans are something else than sightseeing and relaxing, he has four targets to murder without making mistakes and without leaving any traces.

Only that some other variables intervene. Like the fact that Joe hires local henchman Kong (Thai actor Shahkrit Yamnarm) and their relation turns into a relationship. From being Joe’s help, Kong becomes Joe’s protégé, it seems like the killer has been craving for a friend, despite his coldness. Moreover, Joe’s heart starts to beat more rapidly around a Thai beauty, deaf pharmacist Fon (played by pop singer/actress Charlie Young). Well, well, it takes about half a movie to convince the audience that he has no heart and only a few minutes to demonstrate the other way around. It strikes us that killers are human beings after all… Discovering his more human part, Joe finds difficulty in completing his mission in Thailand. And audiences will have difficulty in enjoying the plot.

This year’s “Bangkok” is full of visual surprises, like boat chases and snippets of Bangkok’s picturesque views. These surprises are pleasurable, but the movie also contains some disappointing ones. Like the fact that the actor of 1995’s Oscar winner “Leaving Las Vegas” Nicholas Cage is sporting long, dyed hair and states his lines so seriously, bearing nothing of the satirical talent of his previous acting credits. It appears like his acting career took a wrong turn after starring in “Snake Eyes” or “Gone in 60 Seconds.”