13: GAME OF DEATH

Directed by Chukiat Sakveerakul
Written by Chukiat Sakveerakul
Based on the Comic by Eakasit Thairatana
Cast: Krissada Terrence, Achita Wuthinounsurasit, Sarunyu Wongkrachang & Nattapong Arunnate

2006/117 mins/Color/Dolby Digital 5.1
1.85:1 anamorphic/Thai/Thailand/NTSC Region 1

Review from the Dimension Extreme/ Genius Products DVD

Puchit is a down-on-his-luck salesman who just lost his job, car, girlfriend and he is in serious debt. But everything could change as he receives a mysterious anonymous phone call offering him to play a secret game. The game consists of 13 challenges. If he manages to do them all he will win $100 million bath. If he fails at one or someone finds out that he is playing the game he will loose all the money, which was incrementally added to his bank account. The first challenge is rather easy but the more he gets into the game the hardest, more intense and humanly challenging it gets.

Winner of the Public's Golden Prize Best Asian Film at the 2007 Fantasia Film Festival, 13: GAME OF DEATH is a very clever and well-written movie. I was surprised on just how good the story actually unfolds. And some moments were actually very funny given the dark subjects within the film. Krissada Terrence gives a solid performance as the lead character. We seriously feel sorry for the poor guy. When everything is explained, the twist does feel a little like too much but it is still interesting. Now you got to ask yourself, would you play that game?

Presented on DVD by Dimension Extreme and Genius Products, 13: GAME OF DEATH features a very nice disc transfer. First of all, the film is presented in a 1.85:1 anamorphic aspect ratio. The colors are rich and nicely saturated with no signs of compression or artifacts. We get the choice of the original Thai Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track and a dubbed English Dolby Digital 5.1 version. Both sound clear and crisp. Surprisingly the English dub doesn't sound too bad. Optional English and Spanish subtitles are available.

'The Making of 13: GAME OF DEATH' is a 18 minutes documentary that features interviews with the director, the lead actor, behind-the-scenes and comments from the crowd at the premiere. We also get the original theatrical trailer and the teaser. There are also trailers for THE MIST, DIARY OF THE DEAD, STORM WARNING, and BLACK SHEEP. The movie is separated in 14 chapters stop. The disc features cool animated menus with music. It comes with an inlay card promoting other releases from Dimension Extreme and Genius Products.

(Original title: 13 GAME SAYAWNG)

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Review by Kim Dubuisson. All Right Reserved. 2008. ©

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