Bangkok redemption

After years as a cold-blooded assassin, Nicolas Cage's character learns to love

Oscar-winning actor Nicolas Cage plays a killer in the thrilling remake of the 1999 action film Bangkok Dangerous.

Directed by Danny and Oxide Pang, the Hong Kong directing duo who also made the original, the film focuses on Joe (Cage), a heartless hitman who goes to Bangkok on an assignment. He hires Kong (Shahkrit Yamnarm), a street criminal, to run errands for him, fully intending to kill him and destroy any evidence as soon as his mission is accomplished.

One of the best assassins in the field, Joe follows four rules that are essential to his success: don't ask questions; don't get to know people outside of work; erase every trace; and know when to get out.

Against his better judgement, Joe breaks all the rules when, instead of killing Kong, he mentors him, and then falls in love with Thai shop girl Fon (Charlie Young). Having spent most of his life as a cold, pitiless murderer, these attitude changes make Joe question his isolated existence and ruthless actions.

The directors were committed to providing the audience with an accurate view of everyday Thai life. For example, one of the movie's most gripping shooting scenes was filmed at the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, one of Thailand's tourist hotspots. To keep it as realistic as possible, market vendors and tourists were invited to carry on with their daily routine while the scene was being filmed.

Nicolas Cage, whose impressive resume includes Leaving Las Vegas, Gone in Sixty Seconds, Ghost Rider and National Treasure, believes the remake will be better than the original.