Van Damme the ULTIMATE 80's / B-movie actor

Rating: 9/10 (11 April 2006)

This is a great movie. Not as good as Bloodsport, however, with its own quirky changes from the Van Damage movie formula. Yes, he does get trained after his brother is brutally beaten by a Muay Thai boxer, he does go through the hardship of training and yes there is cheesy romance. But this cheesy romance is saved by the fact that there is no sex scene, yet somehow Van Damme manages to get his token ass shot in there again! Brilliantly planned. This movie, like Bloodsport, has a support character called Jackson (maybe JCVD had a close friend by the same name...or maybe it is the only English name he can pronounce?), anyway he is a great character as he is really 'Nam American. He brings life to the movie as he acts out his role as the mentally effected 'Nam veteran. Furthermore, this movie shows Van Dammes acting ability at its finest when he is taken to the bar, made to drink till he is HIGHLY intoxicated and then test his skills on a bunch of little Thai guys (much like in Bruce Lee films where he proceeds to beat up 100 little Chinese guys). Regardless, his outfit in this scene is of envy to every die hard 80's child, and his capabilities as an actor shine. A must see blockbuster!