Mikes Film Talk

The 2014 film Skin Trade with Dolph Lundgren and Tony Jaa is an action film with a message. Lundgren developed and co wrote the screenplay.

Thai action films have been ruling the martial arts film market for some time now. Movies like the 2008 martial arts action feature Chocolate are almost eternally popular. JeeJa Yanin stars as an autistic martial arts prodigy. JeeJa’s film followed Ong Bak and other, more recent, Thai action films. A new formula where stunts are real and painful. These new films make each fight sequence something special.  Jaa is, in the world of Thai film enthusiasts, an icon.

Lundgren, who has made a bit of a comeback since Expendables 1,2,3, ad nauseam, provided the story, and a screenplay. This was doctored by several writers, including the wildly talented John Hyams (Z Nation, Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning). The storyline was prompted by a real skin trade incident witnessed by Lundgren while working on another film.

It’s a message film

Lundgren’s message film, delivered via the action film genre, has a pretty impressive cast. Peter Weller, Tony Jaa, Michael Jai White, and the ultimate (type-cast) baddie in the guise of Ron Perlman. The film took some time to come together. It was enough for production to start but apart from the dynamite fight scenes, it shows. Unfortunately, despite the Asian setting, the film cannot match “ordinary” Thai action movies. This is true even with the inclusion of the legendary Tony Jaa.

Sadly, compared to Ong Bak or even the disappointing follow up to Chocolate; Raging Phoenix , the fight scenes lack impact. They are not overly impressive. That said, his presence alone elevates the action choreography. This is set up by maestro coordinator and choreographer Dian Hristov, who has nearly a hundred features to his credit. While the fights are not as spectacular as the ones featured in, for example, Chocolate, they are pretty convincing.

When Lundgren and White fight Jaa the efforts of the men and their stunt doubles feels real. And painful. It is easy to assume that a few injuries incurred, but it is the actor’s who sell the altercations. Each performer makes the action that bit more convincing by slowing down as the fight goes on.

Dolph, despite looked darned good for 57. The same age as this reviewer, He is old enough now that these films must be harder for him. Lundgren look s30 years younger in the muscle department. But this type of exertion at over-50 is harder than it was at over-20.

The Story

Skin Trade is a multinational operation. Serbian baddie Perlman runs the family business. One that entails stealing girls, or buying them from poor families. Life is very cheap in the skin trade world. Where Vietnamese, Thailand, and other impoverished Asian countries will sell their children to the sex trade.

These drugged up, and uncooperative, recruits all “work” in a Cambodian club. This is a worldwide operation. One container ship lands in America with a shipment of long dead girls. Police Officer Nick Cassidy (Lundgren) goes after the leader of the skin trade. While chasing Viktor (Perlman) the cop loses his family as a result.

Peter Weller does a more than competent cameo as a narcotics detective. Michael Jai White is the turncoat who tries to have Cassidy killed. Tony Jaa is the “local” cop in Cambodia whose girlfriend is an inside informant at the club.

The storyline is almost boringly formulaic. A “by-the-numbers” drill where Dolph’s character loses his wife and daughter. The latter “loss” is set up to enable a sequel presumably. The bad guys buyout law enforcement and government officials. Lundgren is badly injured by Viktor’s Serbian mobsters, he goes out to kill the mafia leader.

Director Ekachai Uekrongtham does a good enough job with the story handed him. This film went almost straight to VoD . A few years back it would have been relegated to the ‘B” picture slot at the local participating drive-in.

The Verdict

Skin Trade is a solid 3.5 star film. It is nothing too exciting. It is, however, never boring. The film earns a half-star for 57 year-old Lundgren’s ability to still look and act like a cinematic action-man. It is streaming on Prime, Tubi, Plex, et al. Check it out, if for no other reason than to enjoy Peter Weller’s cameo. Or the ability of Tony Jaa to amaze outside of the Ong Bak verse.

the trailer