Van Damme has finally arrived!

Rating: 7/10 (8 August 2018)

Along with "Bloodsport" from the previous year, "Kickboxer" sealed it for JCVD.
The fight scenes - more graphic than usual - are some of the best I've seen throughout Jean Claude Van Damme's career.
We are witness to the martial art of Muai Thai, the Thailand equivalent of kickboxing. It is shown to be a particularly brutal and bloodthirsty style - just as the public like it in this film.
Being filmed on location in Thailand certainly benefits the proceedings, because it gives "Kickboxer" a bit of realism.
JCVD is the avenging martial artist after his brother is crippled for life whilst defending his title. Van Damme is subjected to about the most gruelling training experience of his life and you have to see it to believe it.
The villain of the piece looks a bit of a scary dude. His power behind those kicks is enough to make you wince. The violence is pretty full on as you would expect. However, there is room for some lighthearted moments and these don't intrude or interference with the story.
Films like "Kickboxer" highlight JCVD as one of the best martial arts film stars of the 90s.