Product: Replicant (2001)
Rating: 4.0
Well I�ll be Van Damme�d.
I never thought I'd ever give a Van Damme movie 4 stars. I also never thought I'd see the day that Van Damme would perform as a "real" actor. Well, folks. This is the day, and this is the film. While this may only be a fluke (like Segal's UNDER SEIGE), one can always hope.Granted, the storyline isn't much to talk about (what is it that makes Van Damme want to play two rolls?), and the premise itself is absolutely unbelievable ... still, it is not without interest, but one must keep eyes tightly closed to a few plot holes and contrivances. But believe it or not, what helped make this film interesting was Van Damme's performance (that and Ringo Lam's fast, hard-hitting direction -- he also directed Van Damme's MAXIMUM RISK).If you're not much of a Van Damme fan, I doubt this film will change your mind. But for those of us who enjoy mindless action every now and again, this film turned into a real surprise. Between 1 and 10, REPLICANT gets a marginal 7. Happily, I got much more than I bargained for.