Opapatika

Thailand
A Sahamongkolfilm Intl. presentation of a Baa-Ram-Ewe production. (International sales: Sahamongkolfilm Intl., Bangkok.) Produced by Prachya Pinkaew, Sukanya Vongsthapat. Executive producer, Somsak Techaratanaprasert. Directed by Thanakorn Pongsuwan. Screenplay, Pongsuwan, Yukonthon Kaewtong.
 
With: Putthipong Sriwat, Somchai Khemglad, Nirut Sirichanya, Shahkrit Yamnarm, Ray MacDonald, Athip Nana, Khemupsorn Sirisukha.
 
Immortal beings discover that everlasting life is torture, and auds may feel the same way about the slipshod Thai horror pic "Opapatika." Ingredients for a nasty version of "X-Men" are present, but the result is an incoherent bloodbath interspersed with Buddhist platitudes about the sacredness of human life. Fantasy/horror fests looking for gory fare will take a peek. Pic opened to brisk local biz last October, but will struggle to find an international ancillary afterlife.

Det. Techit (Putthipong Sriwat) commits suicide as a way to enter and investigate the eternal-limbo existence of superghouls called Opapatikas. True to the promise made by the daddy of all the hereafter combatants, Mr. Sadok (Nirut Sirichanya), Techit is granted incredible powers of intuition. Unfortunately, each time he fights one of Sadok's Opapatika enemies, the detective loses one of his normal five senses and, like his fellow tortured souls, quickly discovers immortality is not all it's cracked up to be. Glossy lensing is complemented by Muay Thai gymnastics and high-quality bloodletting, but helming and editing are a mess, and perfs are deathly dull.

Camera (color), Decha Srimanta, Teerawat Pier; editor, Thanakorn Pongsuwan, Suotipon Tubtim, Satabob Tungkaseranee, Lee Chatametikool, Max Tersch; music, Chaibandit Peuchponsub; production designer, Pisut Pariwattanakit. Reviewed at Berlin Film Festival (market), Feb. 8, 2008. Running time: 106 MIN.