So I had a bit of free time after work today and I’d been meaning to catch the Thai parody-spoof-homage Chai-Lai Angels ever since I heard about it last month. Reviews were blasé to say the least, but I’m kinda glad I did decide to watch it in the end.

For one thing, Agent Lotus (played by Supaksorn Chaimongkol) is gorgeous. Though she doesn’t have the meatiest role or the most memorable of characters, nonetheless, she was a joy to see on the screen. The other two eye candy actresses weren’t exactly my type, with Agent Poy-San (Katesarin Akethawatkul) looking like a poor man’s Shu Qi, and Agent Rose (lead actress Bongkoj Kongmalai) showing Singapore how much sexier Desiree Ann Siahann could have been.

The plot itself is as unbelievable as aliens attacking SMU, but everyone knows the real reasons why they watch the film. And director Poj Arnon does not disappoint in that aspect. With dozens of gratituous shots of the three ‘Angels’ in action while dressed in bikinis, bathrobes, towels and wet clothes, among other costume choices, it was clear that this was the live-action-version of a fantasy that belonged to either a teenage boy or an old perverted man. And me, of course.

I think what made the movie work was that it never once took itself seriously. Sure, the plot seemed to indicate that there was a sense of environmental awareness to the storyline, but it became such a minor plot point that it was forgotten after the third costume change. Odd references to Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill II, not to mention the numerous parallels that obviously spoofed Charlie’s Angels, lent some international appeal to the film.

If nothing else, Thailand should be proud that they could make an enjoyable film that is marketable across the globe. Now, I can’t wait for Mercury Man, the first Thai movie superhero.