The Hard Corps

Plot synopsis:
Phillip Sauvage (Jean-Claude van Damme) is a man who has been dealt a hard deck of cards in life. Having suffered under savage fighting conditions in Iraq and Afghanistan, where Al-Qaida takes children as hostages and blows them to bits, Sauvage had to take some time off in the psych ward in a VA Hospital. Little does he know that this will come back to haunt him, but under the deception of a ruthless detective, Detective Teague (Ron Bottitta), who himself has some problems with cavorting with the wrong men.But Sauvage, in spite of his previous bouts with PTSD, which he experiences while first "guarding" the main hero of the film, philanthropist and boxer Wayne Barclay (Razaaq Adoti). While in a nightclub which Barclay goes to for entertainment, Sauvage experiences one of the symptoms of PTSD...flashbacks...to the drop of the pulsating lights and pounding music. But never one to let his illness get the most of him, Sauvage turns it all around and uses his weapon to protect Barclay when a load of drive-by shooters tries to take Barclay's life outside the nightclub.Sauvage attends a funeral with the boxing hero and his sister, Tamara Barclay (Vivica A. Fox), and it is at this point that the boxer and his sister ask Sauvage to work for them in protecting their lives. But Detective Teague interrupts the interview and takes Sauvage in via handcuffs for discharge of weapons in public without a permit. The Barclays can't believe the charges, but Wayne becomes a bit skeptical about Sauvage and his intentions when Detective Teague takes him in and explains that Sauvage was in a psych ward and massacred a bunch of kids. Wayne holds all of this in until everything breaks when he is supposed to meet with a politician and Sauvage spots a potential suspect in the crowd. Wayne calls Sauvage a schizo psycho who was locked up in a psych ward and this is the turning point when they decide to spar together. Not a friendly match, Sauvage is quite good with his fists. He asks Wayne who said this about him but Wayne does not yet trust him enough, as his image was destroyed at the politician meeting when they had to clear the buliding and some people got trampled a bit (no one was seriously injured though).It's not until the man Simcoe (Ron Selmour), who Sauvage suspected as wanting to kill Wayne, goes into a bathroom with some of his cronies that we learn that he really is wanting to kill Wayne and Tamara. They attempt to kill Wayne's sister while they are sparring and Sauvage and Wayne are taken to a local hospital where Detective Teague happens to be there. But Teague knows a little too much and this is when Wayne's benefit of the doubt turns to appreciate Sauvage. Sauvage confesses in the car with Wayne that he was inpatient in a VA Hospital for PTSD, for decompressing, he says. This much is true. But he also recounts the school massacre for Wayne, which he was not able to tell Tamara. Sauvage explains in gory detail of how Al-Qaida was using a child as hostage and then had explosives wrapped around his waist, and ended up annhilating a group of schoolchildren in Iraq. It wasn't Sauvage who was doing the massacring. True to Al-Qaida techniques, the viewer can see the harsh realities of war that even the Viet Cong used back during Vietnam.Wayne continues to employ Sauvage and one day when Wayne comes to his girlfriend's house he finds her at gunpoint with Detective Teague challenging him. Knowing that Sauvage is a stable man in spite of his previous experiences, and knowing that he is trustworthy, he hopes for the best. That's when Sauvage and his men come through and rescue Wayne of his predicament.But then the new crew must go to where it all started...the rap music mogul who wants to assassinate Wayne and the mammoth mansion in which he lives. Will true heroes prevail, or will evil get the best of the good guys? They take in some heavy gunfire and wounds near the end...Van Damme, like the character Sauvage in the film, suffers from mental illness in real life, but, and like the character in the film, does not let it get in the way of getting things done and in the way of his career.

Tags: romantic, cult, violence, flashback

Review:
The action scenes are way better then in Second In Command and much more martial arts oriented then Wake of Death, with some more trademark kicks.
Fox is sexy and perfect for her role and the story involving a former heavyweight champ who needs security from a rap-mogul/gangster is very fresh considering its new territory for a Van Damme movie.
Hard Corps reunites Jean-Claude Van Damme with frequent collaborator Sheldon Lettich for the 4th time.The first time was 1991's Lionheart,followed by the classic Double impact,until 2001's interesting,but flawed The Order.Hard Corps is a nice return to form for the talented director who should clearly be making more movies than he has.On one side we have battle-traumatized soldier Phillip Savuage(JCVD) who lands a gig as a bodyguard to a head-strong(but well to due) Boxer named Barclay(Raz Adoti) all the while answering to his sister played by Vivica Fox.Tensions arise when a Gangster with an army of thugs put away by Barclay is released from jail wanting serious payback.Can Savauge rise to occasion?The production looks like a medium-budget movie.Good photography and locations add to the "american" look of the movie.We get a lot of character detail.Some nice fights.especially the Savauge/Barclay throw-down.Some nice humor involving rap music form critic Savuage.A rather Macabe scene that revolves around the "feeding" of Singleterry's dogs.HCs gives JCVD a fully rounded character for once.There is a nice sub-plot that is handled very well involving his character's battle record and misplaced guilt.He still has the chops that developed very well at the start of Replicant and shined through WoD.He is a way more subtle here though.Why can't Hollywood see this?Vivica Fox is very commanding and reactive.Charming as well.She has some nice Chemistry with JCVD.Shame she does not get to go Kill Bill for a few scenes though.Raz Adoti is very likable as the Boxer-turned-entrepreneur.He gets better in every movie he is in.
As gangster Singleterry Viv Leacock gets to set on the sidelines and bark orders and does not make that imposing of a villain.That part is left to the imposing Ron Selmore.The supporting cast is good.The only real fault is that the action scenes are far and few between scenes.At 110 minutes you would think there would be more.A lot of opportunities end up wasted.I was expecting a little more myself after some of the stand-out action seen in Hell and WOD.However no bad CGI Trains,helicopters,Jets,Moths,or bad slow-motion is nice for once.7.5/10.
The fight scenes are really nice, Van Damme is fighting like a 10 years ago.In my opinion, "In Hell", "Wake of Death", "Second in Command" and "The Hard Corps" were 4 great films.
In Second In Command, the film wasn't very good, but Van Damme gave a solid performance, albeit in a role without much depth.
The Hard Corps regains a level of competence again for Van Damme.Here JC teams up with long time friend and collaborator, Sheldon Lettich.
The plot centres on world heavyweight boxer, and entrepreneur, Wayne Barclay (Raz Adoti), and his sister Tamara (Vivica Fox).
Tamara insists that Wayne hires a security team and contacts a Vietnam Vet who also served in Iraq and Afghanistan, who in turn contacts his old, war scarred buddy, Van Damme.
The war veteran sets up an experienced team (Mark Griffin , among others) called ¨Hard Corps¨ to save menaced ex-boxer .This movie direct to video packs violent action , suspense , shoot-outs , boxing and martial art fighting and results to be quite amusing .
Fox as enjoyable sister who falls in love for him and the brother played convincingly by Adoti who acted along with Jean-Claude in his former film ¨Second-in-command¨ .
This film is so far the best in all direct to DVD releases of Van Damme.
Jean Claude Van Damme looks very fresh and fit.The most important thing about the movie is its tempo which never makes you bored.
But I do like Vann Damme's idea of moving away from the action, more for the acting but he needs to find the right material or its just a waste of time.
The Hard Corps is about a PTSD special forces frenchie (Van Damme) that is hired to protect an ex heavy weight champ who is in deep s***t with a local gangsta punkie.
Each character is a ridiculous stereotype, the kind that you only find in made for TV movies or anything 'starring' Van Damme.I do admit that this film will definitely appeal to the mindless, brain dead members of society who actually think that slow-mo fighting is the epitome of cool, but for the enthusiastic film fans out there who enjoy at least a tiny bit of intellectual stimulation - give it a miss.In conclusion: DON'T BOTHER..
This movie was a good flick and one to be proud of it was an unusual role for van damme to play.
This movie should have got a cinema release it was that good maybe this might be a new start to an old genre of films this movie will be one for my collection along with hard target maximum risk and the order.So for those those who want to see this movie go get it out from your local rental store its great.
Jean-Claude will be playing a Combat Vet who's just spent the last 3 years fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq, who is hired to be a bodyguard to a former World Heavyweight Boxing champ to protect him and his family against a Rap Music Mogul.
He sets up a team called "The Hard Corps", complications arise when the boxer suspects that his sister may be in love with the bodyguard.- - -I really enjoyed this film, not just because I'm a huge Van Damme fan, the story is really intense and Sheldon Lettich did a great job.
The plot is: Phillip Sauvage (Van Damme) is hired to be a bodyguard for a heavyweight boxer named Wayne Barclay (Raz Adoti) who is receiving death threats from gangsta Terrell Singeltery (Viv Leacock).
Besides that, the movie has some good action sequences, including the Uzi gun battle in a parking lot, and a excellent fight between Wayne and Phillip.
Jean Claude Van Damme, guns, kicks, muscles, all that good stuff.
Okay, now the fight scenes are basically the same as every movie that Van Damme has been doing in the 90's.
Fox in a movie doesn't save it from being the worst direct-to-DVD films of all times.
THe film tries to make the boxer and van damme equal at fighting, and thats just crap.
In addition, if you're not able to take a Van Damme underrated, a solid good action flick from Sheldon Lettich, ignore this review, as well.
We'll both be better off.The Hard Corps (2006) is another solid underrated action flick from Van Damme that I like!
Watching The Hard Corps I was very surprised because I love Van Damme and idea from an American soldier who fought in Iraq must assembles a team of bodyguards to protect a former boxer and his sister.
I think is an underrated, a good action movie from Van Damme and Sheldon Lettich!
Razaaq Adoti who plays Wayne Barclay a retired ex world champion boxer, he at least was a boxer in this movie and he kicked and fight with Van Damme, he wasn't a chicken, like Arron Shiver was, who played Mason Silver a boxer, Nikita's boyfriend, who soled her out and was a drug addicted.
Army veteran Philippe Sauvage (Jean-Claude Van Damme) assembles a team of bodyguards to protect former boxer Wayne Barclay (Razaaq Adoti).
But the film rounds out a number of characters, including a straight-arrow nephew of the bad guy, and members of Jean Claude's group of bodyguards he calls "The Hard Corps".
It gives the viewer the same confusion that Van Damme's character has in trying to distinguish the beats of the music to the sound of gunfire.The main bad guy is fearsome with a bunch of man-eating dogs.
Fox as Tamara Barclay sister of Wayne Barclay, she was very hot in this flick.The Hard Corps is a 2006 American action film written and directed by Sheldon Lettich.
It stars Jean-Claude Van Damme, Raz Adoti, Vivica A.
It is the fourth collaboration between Jean-Claude Van Damme and film director Sheldon Lettich.
The film was released direct-to-DVD in the United States on August 15, 2006.8/10 Grade: A Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Clubdeal Motion Picture Corporation of America Starring: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Raz Adoti, Vivica A.
Sony Pictures had a better plot for this Jean-Claude Van Damme film.
And when Terrell Singletery gets out of prison early, the fireworks start."The Hard Corps" isn't a good film, but it is fair.
i am never watching another van dumb film , i rather see steven seagal movies, at least his acting is much better .
fox , i respected her as an actress, but her performance in this movie showed me that she is washed up, just like van damme.
Whoever was in charge for the casting has made this movie look cheap beyond belief, the directing is awful too, for allowing the ever so present facial expressions which are out of context.Hardly any actor has presence, I hardly felt sorry for anyone dying, it was very aimless, with little sorrow.This movie is only for the die hard Jean-Claude Van Damme fans, avoid this movie unless you want to be disappointed..
It's a film that looks good, seeing Van Damme team up once more with director Sheldon Lettich, with whom he made some cheesy classics back in the day (such as DOUBLE IMPACT), which are still personal favourites of mine.
There are some decent action scenes sprinkled around, including a great bit where our hero machine-guns a car and has a fist fight with a younger, fitter opponent, reminding us that he's still got 'it'.But for too much of the running time, the film gets bogged down in the storyline surrounding a black boxer and the man who vows to have him killed.
Van Damme isn't required to act much here, as in other, recent movies, but he's still fun to watch.
A tired looking Van Damme shows up like an odd man out in this straight-to-DVD hard "core" gangsta revenge action joint, as he plays an Army Vet that's hired as a bodyguard for a former heavy weight boxing champ who's targeted by a man who he put away by not throwing a fight.
very good Van Damme film.
this is one of the better Jean Claude Van Damme movies i have seen in a long while.the story is actually pretty good.the acting is decent.the characters have some depth to them.Van Damme actually misplays some emotional range.this isn't your typical Van Damme action flick.Vivica A.
Fox add some class(not to mention beauty and talent)to the proceedings.and the supporting players are all also very good here.after having just watched Derailed(another Van Damme Movie)which stunk to high heaven,i was pleasantly surprised at how good it really is.this is one movie i would definitely recommend watching.like me,i'm betting you just might be pleasantly surprised.for me,The Hard Corps is an 8/10.
I was once a big fan of Van Damme, especially in his low budget period in the 80's and early 90's that brought us cheap, but good, action fest's like Bloodsport, KickBoxer and Lionheart.
The Hard Corpse reunites Van Damme with his Lionheart and Double Impact writer/director Sheldon Lettich, and honestly, that was the only selling point for me to actually make the effort to watch this.
You'd never know these two (Lettich and Van Damme) were the same team behind some of his earlier classics like Bloodsport, Lionheart and Double Impact (a personal favorite).
The director is however Sheldon Leith who did make LEGIONAIRRE which is the by far the best of Jean Claude Van Damme's action adventure movies .
After seeing it I possibly expected too much and if you're someone who watches JCVD to see himkick butt you'll be disappointed too This treads the path that sees a Jean Claude Van Damme film have its star become more and more sidelined .
It's also very noticeable the longer the film continues the more interested it becomes in the hip hop soundtrack , bad ass gangstas dissing each other with right on street lingo so much so that Savuage is redundant at the end , so much so you're left feeling cynical that JCVD was cast because he is a known name That said THE HARD CORPS does contain a scene that caused me to laugh out loud .
Jean Claude Van Damme has long gone the way of Steven Seagal & Wesley Snipes relegated into appearing in Straight to DVD Films after various commercial flops at the box-office in the late 90's - but I am glad to say that the quality of the releases that Van Damme appears in, are FAR higher than most Straight to DVD releases which you find at the bottom shelf of your local Blockbuster Store.But having said that, I was slightly sceptical of 'The Hard Corps' as It's a Film that Steven Seagal turned down, and I'm not at all a fan of Hip-hop so my expectations were very low going into this and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised, The Film while wholly predictable with telegraphed plot twists it remains slickly made with a reasonable Budget and had a fair bit of action (though not as much as usual in a JCVD Film) with good performances from all.Slightly overlong, at 110 Minutes and needed a good 15 minutes cut off.It won't go down as one of Van Damme's best, but it's still worth watching, Keep your expectation low enough and you should enjoy.*** out of *****.
Sad. Van Damme is clearly too old to be making action films anymore, least of all poorly made STVs like this one.
Jean-Claude Van Damme stars as a special forces guy (you know the type) who is hired as a bodyguard for a world champion boxer, seems that a gangster has put a hit on said boxer, and despite Van Damme's reluctance, Vivica A.
Jean-Claude Van Damme is in decent form, he excludes a charisma and is in his strong action man role, which has been lacking lately in his later straight to video movies.
His role later on turns out as a bodyguard for boxing champion Barclay, whom he even competes in boxing.Anyway The Hard Corps may not be a typical Van Damme movie, but here he proved that the word 'action' can be converted to 'acting skill' by his cool natural and real-like performances.
But very disappointing issue is that, the whole focus in the movie mainly goes to Razaaq Adoti (as Wayne Barclay) rather than Van Damme.
In many ways this film reminds me of the flicks of Steven Seagall doing buddy buddy with some rap star and like steven, jean claude also feels a bit misplaced in the setting of rap music and undressed women, this is actually felt by his acting in some scenes...
I don't have the feeling he really believed or enjoyed himself all that much.There is very little hand to hand combat in this film and a very low amount of action, you can actually feel your ass telling you this flick really takes 110 minutes to tell its story.There isn't much to tell about the story that is interesting and the constant use of flashbacks is becoming irritating around halfway ( yeah we know the guy has problems from the war..yeah we get the hint) But all in all I found it a nice enough movie..little fast forward here and there but still a pleasant time waster.
In Hell, Wake Of Death, Second In Command were all great Van Damme film's and now we have The Hard Corps with perhaps my favorite director to helm Van Damme film's Sheldon Lettich.The story is great (better than I thought it would be), The acting is good (In my personal opinion Viv Leacock as Terrell Singletery was fine but they could have found a better person to portray that part), Van Damme was great as Philip Sauvage as usual, Vivica was good, who really impressed me was Razaaq Adoti as Wayne Barclay though he and Van Damme had great chemistry and he was just really believable and hopefully he will get more acting gigs.My favorite part of the whole movie, while I won't give anything away to much (I put spoilers in the topic just in case) the fight scene between Sauvage & Barclay is great!
For my money Jean Claude Van Damme's worst film..
I usually quite like JCVD but The Hard Corps is as bad as the rubbish Steven Seagal has been making lately, there's barely any fights or decent action scenes which is odd since JCVD is a martial arts expert & surely he & his skill's are the films best asset so why ignore it?
the hard corps is a van damme movie in which he plays an ex soldier who is asked to protect a champion boxer from gangsters.
so sure the story doesn't sound that good, but it's a solid movie, that is pullled by van damme's good performance, showing that 'in hell' and 'wake of death' wasn't flukes.
never the less this is a solid action flick that delivers the goods, compare this to any of seagal's movies from 2006 and you'll think this is a masterpiece, and fair play to van damme for always making an effort to produce the best films possible from the tools he has.
the hard corps is a great action flick thats sure to please fans of van damme.
this isn't a typical van damme movie.
the movie obviously didn't have a good budget and the thin plot just made it worse, for example, van damme was supposed to have been in the American army, something the film didn't really sell to you.
there wasn't much martial arts in the film, for most of it van damme uses guns.