Bloodsport

Plot synopsis:
The movie begins with montages of various hopeful competitors training and practicing their fighting techniques. Interspersed with these montages are shots of the arena where the Kumite will be held. The hosts of the Kumite are rehearsing pageantry and preparing the arena for proper use.Frank Dux (Jean-Claude Van Damme), an army captain at his base, is summoned to a meeting with his colonel before going on furlough. The colonel has found out he plans to travel to Hong Kong while on furlough, and Dux's superiors want to stop him from entering the Kumite, in part because the Kumite is an illegal, underground fight. It is not sanctioned by world martial arts organizations, due to its particularly violent nature. Fatalities, though uncommon and frowned on, are considered part of the risk. Dux stages a daring escape from his base, going AWOL to travel to Hong Kong. The Army dispatches two MPs, Helmer (Norman Burton) and Rawlins (Forest Whitaker) to find Dux and bring him back.Dux first visits the home of his mentor and teacher, Senzo Tanaka (Roy Chiao). He is greeted warmly by Mrs. Tanaka (Lily Leung), who goes to tell her husband that Dux has arrived. Waiting in the living room, Dux becomes lost in thought looking at Tanaka's katana (samurai sword). He begins reminiscing about his long relationship with Tanaka: As a youth, Frank fell in with two unruly boys who made him come with them to try and steal the sword. The boys ran at the sound of people approaching, but Frank started to put the sword back on its stand when he was found by Tanaka and his son, Shingo. Tanaka admonished Dux for stealing, and Dux protested he wasn't going to steal it. Tanaka slices the visor off of Dux's baseball cap and is impressed that Dux didn't even flinch. Meeting with Dux's parents, he convinces them to let him train Frank in martial arts. At first, the young Dux becomes frustrated that he is only learning some of Tanaka's knowledge while Shingo is being trained far more intensively. Shingo is being groomed to represent his family in the Kumite as an adult. But tragedy strikes when Shingo dies as a young adult. A heartbroken Tanaka, having already lost his first family in Hiroshima, chooses to stop all training, believing his family is ended. Dux makes an impassioned plea for Tanaka to train him fully, to compete in the Kumite on Shingo's behalf, to honor both Shingo and Tanaka. Montages are shown of this training, becoming more and more intensive, until at the pinnacle, Dux is able to ignore pain and operate while blindfolded as if still fully sighted.Dux goes to see Tanaka, who is now an old man and showing the infirmities of old age. He tells Dux that when he fights, Tanaka's spirit will be there, fighting beside him, and in the Kumite, he will need it.Dux arrives at the hotel where most of the Kumite participants are staying. He meets Ray Jackson (Donald Gibb) playing a karate video game. The two play the game together and start to bond as friends and as fellow Americans. Jackson is a big, brawny, beer-swilling brawler with a scruffy beard. Not knowing anything of Dux, he likes the smaller man and treats him almost like a 'little brother.'Also at the same hotel, an American journalist named Janice Kent (Leah Ayres) is questioning two men about the kumite. She knows it is being held in Hong Kong over the next three days and is trying to get a story on it. The two men don't acknowledge even knowing what the kumite is.Helmer and Rawlins arrive at the Tanaka home to find out if Dux was there and if the Tanakas knew he was going to Hong Kong. Mrs. Tanaka says that Dux came by to pay his respects, but she doesn't know if he was heading to Hong Kong. Rawlins is sure she does know and tries to press her, but Helmer steps in, simply thanking Mrs. Tanaka for speaking to them.Dux and Jackson go to check in at their hotel and are told that a Victor Lin is looking to speak to them. Lin (Ken Siu) comes across Dux and Jackson at that moment and introduces himself, saying he is one of the Kumite agents and he's been assigned to assist them with their stay in Hong Kong. He leads them through the streets of the city to a run-down, seedy part of the city (no man's land, as Lin calls it), explaining that the Kumite is being held in Hong Kong at the permission of the "Triad," the Chinese Mafia. At the entrance to a back alley being guarded by several tall, burly, stoic men. Victor speaks to them in Chinese, and the tallest of the guards, their leader, lets them all through with a condescending air toward the American foreigners. Victor leads them through the alley to the secret arena where the Kumite will be held. The first step is to properly register for the Kumite. Participation is by invitation only. As Jackson and Dux present their invitations, the officials stop and are very dubious of Dux, because his invitation lists him as being part of the Tanaka Clan. Clearly they know of Senzo Tanaka and are unwilling to believe, at face value, that Dux is a student of Tanaka's. They insist he prove this claim with a demonstration of the legendary "Dim Mak" pressure point strike. They show him where several bricks are stacked. To properly demonstrate the Dim Mak, Dux must shatter the bottom-most brick without damaging either of the two bricks stacked atop it. As all the other participants in the arena watch, Dux successfully demonstrates the Dim Mak. The officials accept Dux as authentic and complete his registration. The Kumite participants resume training and sparring, except for one-- a large, burly Chinese man named Chong Li (Bolo Yeung) who is not impressed, warning Dux, "Bricks don't hit back."Helmer and Rawlins go to the Hong Kong police department and confer with Inspector Chen (Philip Chan). They give him a photo of Dux, explain that they are trying to stop him from competing in the Kumite, and they ask Chen to contact them if his men learn anything about Dux's whereabouts. Chen is very dismissive but tells the two MP's that he'll see what he can do.Back at the hotel, Dux and Jackson find Janice Kent trying to get a story on the Kumite from one of the participants, a Mid-Eastern fighter named Hossein (Bernard Mariano). Hossein and his friends are surly and condescending. Hossein is only willing to speak if he can take Janice to bed, a proposition she finds repulsive. Hossein is offended at her defiance and is about to slap her when Dux and Jackson intervene. Jackson is ready to melee, but Dux asks everyone if it's worth getting ejected from the Kumite over a woman. Despite Janice's indignant protests, Dux arranges an alternative contest-- he puts a coin in Hossein's hand and challenges him to close his hand into a fist around the coin before Dux can successfully snatch the coin out of his palm. Hossein is amused and overly cocky at the challenge, but the smirk is wiped off his face when Dux succeeds in grabbing the coin. Per the terms of the bet, Hossein and his friends have to leave Janice alone.Dux and Janice are talking as they take a walk, and Janice tells Dux about her ambition to get a story on the Kumite, which she describes as 'a cockfight, except with people.' Dux agrees te speak to Janice, and asks her to dinner in return.The first day of the Kumite arrives, and the opening pageantry is conducted and the host organization introduces itself, speaking about the traditional background of the contest.As the Kumite prepares for the first fight, Victor reminds Dux and Jackson that the contests are full-contact, and there are three ways to win-- knock the opponent out, knock them off the platform, or force the opponent to shout the word "Matte," which is a cry of surrender similar to saying 'Uncle.'The first-round bouts are conducted, showing several participants standing out as victorious and forces to be reckoned with -- a Polynesian fighter named Parades (Michel Qissi), a Chinese kung-fu fighter named Chuan Ip Mung (Dennis Chu), a big and burly Japanese Sumo fighter named Pumola (David Ho), a Muay Thai kickboxer named Paco (Paulo Tocha), Jackson, and Chong Li, who is the current champion. Chong Li exults in hearing the crowd cheer his name, and enjoys finishing his matches by maiming and crippling his opponents. He is notorious for having killed a participant at the last Kumite. Chong Li easily dispatches his opponent, breaking his own world record for the fastest knockout.Dux's first opponent is none other than Hossein. The Syrian fighter is eager for a little revenge, but Dux not only knocks him out, but proceeds to break Chong Li's new record for fastest knockout in so doing-- and Chong Li is noticeably angered.Helmer and Rawlins are eating lunch when Inspector Chen comes to see them. He's found out the name of the hotel Dux is staying at. Helmer and Rawlins confront Dux in the lounge there as he is talking with Jackson. They pull taser stun-guns and order him to come with them immediately. A football tackle by Jackson takes them down and gives Dux time to run. He leads them on an amusing chase scene, seemingly toying with them before giving them the slip.Dux meets with Janice that evening for dinner. He tells her a little about the Kumite, but insists she cannot truly understand it without seeing it-- and the Kumite doesn't allow just anyone in, even as spectators-- they are especially strict about keeping press out. Janice asks Dux to pull some strings to let her come in and watch. She even sleeps with him as an incentive (and because she likes him). In the morning he kisses her goodbye and tells her that he cannot get her inside. But Janice quickly finds another way of entry, going "undercover" posing as a date to a wealthy patron.A number of Kumite bouts are shown, and Dux, Chong Li, Chuan Ip Mung, Pumola, and Paco stand out, eliminating various opponents. Chong Li fights Parades, whose longer reach lets him land various combination punches that jar Chong Li. But Chong Li adopts a counter-punching strategy and gets inside, landing brutal attacks that leave Parades completely dazed and stunned. Playing to the crowd, Chong Li executes a brutal stomping kick to his opponent's kneecap, breaking Parades' leg and presumably crippling him.More fights are shown, and more fighters are eliminated. Dux defeats Pumola by doing a split to get under Pumola's charge, and punching his groin. The crowd begins to chant Dux's name, which really gets Chong Li angry.Ray Jackson finds himself facing Chong Li. Jackson is remarkably confident and arrogant, and shrugs off warnings of caution from both Dux and Victor. Dux has noticed a weakness in Chong Li's fighting style-- Parades almost turned the tables on him by landing a stiff punch to Chong Li's belly. Dux advises Jackson to focus on punches to the stomach, and warns Jackson to stay away from Chong Li's right leg. Jackson brushes off the warnings and advice, saying he has everything under control.As the fight begins, Jackson pounds on Chong Li's head with several hammering blows that drive him to one knee. Jackson then turns away, thinking he has the fight in the bag, and plays to the crowd, trying to get them to chant his name the way they chant Chong Li's name. From ringside, Dux tries to call out to Jackson to focus on finishing Chong Li, who is still on one knee, nursing his bruises and recovering. But by the time Jackson turns back to face Chong Li, the burly Chinese fighter has risen back to his feet and is ready to show the whole crowd what happens to people who try to make a mockery of him. Chong Li lands a devastating kick that turns the tide of battle in a heartbeat. Not satisfied with merely defeating Jackson, Chong Li lets his rage bubble to the surface and delivers a frighteningly brutal stomp to the head of his prone opponent, as Victor struggles to hold Dux back from intervening. Jackson is unconscious and bleeding profusely from his mouth as Chong Li pulls off Jackson's biker bandanna and claims it as a trophy, shaking it in front of Dux as a dire warning.At the hospital, Jackson is being examined by doctors. Dux speaks to the unconscious Jackson, telling him he's lucky to have such a hard head, which saved him from being permanently maimed. Dux vows to get revenge on Chong Li. Janice is there as well, and she is horrified at the personal vendetta. The two argue passionately outside the hospital. Dux points out Janice's career as a reporter, and she is trying to be the best she can be-- Dux is doing the same; to be the best fighter he can be. Seeing she cannot budge Dux, Janice resignedly shouts that she only hopes Dux doesn't end up in a similar state as Jackson-- or even worse, before storming off. Lin goes up to Dux and admonishes him to forget Janice, as well as Jackson's injury and also about revenge. Dux has the chance to become the first fighter from the Western hemisphere to ever win the Kumite, but he needs to have a clear head.Desperate to see Dux spared from grievous injury, Janice turns to Inspector Chen. Knowing that the Kumite is illegal under Hong Kong law, Janice hopes to see the police get involved in stopping the competition. Inspector Chen is again dismissive, until Janice gives him Dux's name.Riding a bus back to his hotel, Dux is haunted by memories of the bout and mistakenly thinks he sees Chong Li's reflection in the bus window, glaring at him.Walking through the back alley for the final rounds of competition, Dux finds he has to fight his way through a gauntlet of Inspector Chen's police officers. After getting past them, he finds Helmer and Rawlins waiting at the doors to the arena with Chen and Janice. Helmer and Rawlins have their taser stun-guns at the ready. Dux uses a trash can lid to deflect the taser darts and grabs their weapons away. Knowing they cannot take Dux hand to hand, Helmer disgustedly enters the arena with Rawlins and Janice to observe the final bouts, hoping they do not have to scrape Dux up off the floor.In the arena, the officials are unaware of what is going on outside-- only that as a result of the melee, Dux is extremely late in showing up. They are just about to disqualify him when Dux enters.Dux's semifinal match is against Paco. As the fight begins, Paco extends his fists, motioning for Dux to touch knuckles with him. Warily, Dux finally does so, and is hit by a cheap shot from Paco. Recovering, Dux wades into battle and knocks Paco out.Chong Li's semi-final opponent is Chuan Ip Mung. Chuan gives Chong Li the stiffest resistance he's encountered in the Kumite, but even he cannot withstand the power of Chong Li's blows. Chong Li has Chuan supine and barely conscious on the ground, and starts to play to the crowd. But then, looking to send a message to Dux, Chong Li grabs Chuan's head and brutally snaps his neck. The crowd falls completely silent as the referee feels for breath and looks at Chong Li in appalled shock. Chuan is dead.The officials all stand and turn their backs to Chong Li, facing the wall and bowing their heads in a moment of silence. To Chong Li's disappointment the whole crowd, including Helmer, Rawlins and Janice, follow suit. Chong Li warns Dux that he is next, and Dux just glares back before joining the rest of the crowd in the moment of silence.As Chong Li prepares for the final bout, his trainer (Wilson Lee) carefully and stealthily slips a small chunk of a chalky substance into the waistband of his trunks. (Hinted to be cocaine but not stated definitively)Dux and Chong Li step onto the platform for the final bout to determine the Kumite's champion. Chong Li points to Jackson's bandanna, which he has tied around his calf, saying he plans to break Dux in return for Dux's breaking his record. Dux stares back unafraid.The bout begins and Dux quickly seizes initiative. He takes control following the advice he tried to give Jackson, focusing on repeated punches and kicks to Chong Li's stomach and watching for kicks from Chong Li's right leg. He knocks Chong Li down, staggering him. On one knee, using his body to shield the action, Chong Li carefully removes the chalky object from his trunks and crushes it into a powder in his hand. Rising to his feet, he throws a punch that falls well short of his mark but, unseen by everyone else, flings the powder right into Dux's eyes. Aside from his vision being completely clouded over, Dux appears to fall into a near stupor. The tables are turned and Chong Li takes the opportunity to enjoy beating Dux from pillar to post.On the mat, screaming in frustration, Dux suddenly clears his mind and appears to go into a meditative trance. Flashbacks are shown of his training with Tanaka, including training where he is blindfolded and learns to operate through his other senses as if he were fully sighted. Dux blocks a punch to his head and throws a ground side kick to Chong Li's stomach. Rising to his feet, Dux begins to step carefully around the arena, but always able to fend off Chong Li's attacks and land more blows to his stomach. Chong Li tries to throw Dux off by pushing the referee into him, but Dux, grabbing a handful of the ref's tunic, recognizes the ploy and carefully eases the referee behind him. He takes control of the match, hammering Chong Li's stomach and then going up to the head with leaping, spinning wheel kicks that knock the burly Chong Li completely for a loop.Dux refuses to settle for a mere knockout. He needs to establish absolute dominance-- meaning even Chong Li himself must declare it to the whole crowd. Dux grabs Chong Li's head and gradually twists his neck, shouting, "Say it!" He twists Chong Li's neck harder until it is clear that his neck will snap if he doesn't comply. With his very life on the line, Chong Li defeatedly shouts 'matte,' and the crowd goes wild as the referee gestures to signal Dux's victory.The closing ceremony shows the officials presenting Dux with a beautifully crafted Japanese katana with words of praise. The whole crowd, including Helmer, Rawlins and Janice, applaud as Dux looks up to the ceiling and says quietly, "This is for you, Shidoshi."Dux and Janice visit Jackson at the hospital. Jackson has regained consciousness and is convalescing. He is notably impressed as Dux's victory-- forcing Chong Li to submit, no less-- but jokingly warns that Dux might have to fight him next time. Dux and Jackson give an emotional handshake, their bond having strengthened to near blood-brothers.Helmer and Rawlins are waiting at the airport in front of a plane to take Dux back to the United States. They wait, and finally they are convinced that Dux has given them the slip yet again. Suddenly they hear a whistle behind them and turn to see Dux just inside the plane's boarding doorway, telling them to hurry up. The two MP's are grudgingly amused as they board the plane.Just as Dux is about to re-enter the plane, a cab pulls up and Janice steps out. Looking up at Dux, she gives him the Chinese covered-fist salute. The camera freezes on Dux returning the salute and bowing his head to her. Captions proceed to give Dux's career fight stats in the Kumite over several years, saying he established four records that were still standing at the time of the movie's release, and that he retired undefeated, before establishing his own martial arts school. Fade out as the credits begin to roll.

Tags: comedy, murder, cult, violence, flashback, humor, revenge

Review:
A cult classic best martial arts Van Damme Style movie!.
In my opinion is Van Damme's best martial arts film!
Van Damme called those three months "the hardest training of his life" - this despite being a world-championship martial artist in his own right.It does feel good to go re-watch films like this especially dealing with the very sad fact that films like this classic aren't made anymore and seeing Van Damme these days on film, he just seems to stone faced or depressed.
One of my favourite movies it also provides the Rocky pump, as in like Rocky it has the emotion both in action and through the films music and the fighting makes you want to get up and starting punching and kicking anything!
Van Damme is excellent, his fighting manoeuvres are breathtaking, the range of different styles of fighters is great and well know martial artist Bolo Yeung's destruction of all opponents is wonderfully filmed, and as Van Dammes main contender we have a great adventure.
I left the videos with her, and when I returned the next day I was surprised to see her cheering along with Van Damme as he was beating the large Asian Man.A few days later, she was walking around and trying to perform some of the stunts she saw in her new favorite movie.
While it seems to have a similar storyline to other martial arts films, this one differs in that it is based on the true events of Frank Dux, who also assisted the fighters for this movie.Anyone at all that doubts Van Damme's talent as a fighter, should see this film.Bolo Yeung also makes a spectacular appearance as the evil one in the tournament.
He acts about as cruel and heartless as one can get, and he makes the perfect climax for the film.If you are after a good quality martial arts film, and you haven't seen Bloodsport, then this is the one for you.
No one can deny that van damme is a great martial artist, but his acting is so so the opposite.You have to look at it as a martial arts film (which it is) and accept the stunning fight sequences (especially the final fight scene which was very well choreographed) the film offers.Yes, people will talk about how bad his acting may be, but what people forget is that he is a martial artist more than an actor.
The military Frank Dux (Jean Claude Van Damme) abandons his base to participate in the Kumite, a dangerous secret competition in Hong Kong.
"Bloodsport" is an early Van Damme´s film and also one of his best films ever, disclosing the refuted story of the American martial artist Frank Dux. The screenplay is funny and engaging with excellent fight choreography.
Bloodsport is Van Damme`s first American film and it is a great B-movie.
In his film starring debut, Jean-Claude Van Damme portrays a martial arts expert who decides to compete in the Kumite, a no holds barred martial arts competition in Hong Kong.
This film has plenty of the well staged fight scenes and martial arts sequences that would be evident in Van Damme's later films.
While Frank is pursued by government agents (played by Norman Burton and Forest Whitaker) who mean to take him back to the U.S., he makes friends with amiable giant Jackson (Donald Gibb) and attempts to romance reporter Janice Kent (Leah Ayres).There isn't much in terms of story throughout this relatively brief movie (93 minutes all told), but devotees of the action genre will get what they aim to see.
It deals with Frank Dux (Jean Claude Van Dame, at the time being a world-championship martial artist in his own right) has spent most his life being trained by Tanaka (Roy Chao) to participate in the Kumite, the ultimate martial arts tournament .
The real Frank Dux was the fighting coordinator for this movie , when Jean-Claude Van Damme was cast, Dux announced that Van Damme wasn't nearly in good enough shape, and put him through a 3-month training program.
Bloodsport is considered by many to be Jean-Claude Van Damme's best film as well as the film that paved the way for his international fame and cult status among martial-arts and action film fans.
The fight coordinator for the film was the actual Frank Dux himself, who even allegedly took the time to put Jean-Claude Van Damme through three months worth of training in order for him to be extra prepared for the role despite the fact that Van Damme was already a championed martial-artist.
The director Newt Arnold balances the adventure elements with the dramatic touches of the plot (and in this more serious moments, Van Damme demonstrates a surprising talent) what turns "Bloodsport" into an excellent show not only for those who admire martial arts, but also for those who enjoy a fast and interesting entertainment.
The film that consecrated Van Damme as an action star is also the one that had his best acting!.
The film that consecrated Van Damme as an action star is also the one that had his best acting!.
A young American soldier, trained, when child,by a master in martial arts, escapes from the United States with the objective to go to China and participate in a secret tournament, famous for its violence,as a form to honor his teacher's memory.Once he is there, he ends up falling in love for a beautiful journalist who is there to report the event, at the same time in that he needs to use all the force and technique he acquired with his master to survive...and to win.The film that consecrated Van Damme as an action star is also the one that had his best acting.
Director Newtt Arnold balances the adventure scenes with the dramatic touches of the plot, what turns "Bloodsport" into an excellent show not only for those who admire martial arts, but also for those who like a nice entertainment.
I personally think this is one of(if not the best) the greatest martial arts movies of all time.
As Frank Dux,Jean-Claude Van Damme , enters the Kumite, an illegal martial arts tournament.
Being a martial arts film, this is probably one of the most famous ones, and for Jean-Claude Van Damme, his best movie.
Meanwhile two military policemen arrive in Hong Kong determined to return Dux to his station and not allow him to fight.The illegal fight tournament is a frequently used plot device in films of this genre, in fact Van Damme himself has used it several times (and his 2005 project looks like it will be a return to the setting of this film  Kumite).
But just because it is a common setting for martial arts movies and video games doesn't mean that it alone will supply a good plot and an engaging film and Bloodsport is certainly proof of the former even if it sort of pulls off the latter.
Add some good one-liners and you have BLOODSPORT.So if you like action films, Van Damme and the 80's you have to see this film.
"Bloodsport," the 1988 debut vehicle of Belgian martial artist and "actor" Jean-Claude Van Damme, opens with one of the most impressive montages of fighters preparing for the Kumite, an illegal full-contact mixed martial arts tournament held in Hong Kong.
It gets the audience ready for the bloodiest cultural display of martial arts combat in decades.We're told that there are three ways to win a match in the Kumite:1) You knock the guy out2) The opponent gives up and shouts "matte," which is like saying uncle3) You knock the other fighter right off the matEnter into the picture, clean-shaved United States military intelligence officer Frank Dux (Van Damme), of whom this film's story is supposedly based off of.
Dux (like, "put up your dukes") is first introduced as a teenager, coming under the tutelage of a venerable martial arts master who instructs the young man in a brutal regiment of non-stop combative training to prepare him for the Kumite.Once in Hong Kong, Dux befriends fellow American Ray Jackson (Donald Gibb), also a Kumite fighter, and the two prepare for combat.
No one will talk about it, especially to nosy reporters like Janice Kent (Leah Ayres), much less pick fights outside the ring, which would result in an automatic disqualification if a brawl took place outside the Kumite.When it comes time for the action of the great tournament, 40 or so fighters look over one another, eager in anticipation of jumping into the ring and duking it out.
When the combat begins (with action choreographed by the real-life Dux himself), blood flows as one fighter after the other is knocked out leaving a titanic duel between only-standing Dux to duke it out with the brutal Chong Li. In between, though, we see many great styles from all over the world including straight-up Chinese gong-fu, Karate, Hapkido (my own current style of training), Capoeira, Sumo, Monkey, Muay Thai, and some good old-fashioned American brawling.Even in recent years, "Bloodsport" is still a wholly decent affair that does get bogged down in some cheap Hollywood theatrics.
Surprisingly, the movie holds up well...far better than I was expecting...and probably better than the dubious history of real-life fighter(?) Fred Dux.Upon my initial viewing one of my problems with Bloodsport was the lack of flashy fighting sequences.
But, in today's MMA world the fights look pretty darn good and with the exception of the bouncy-guy and the finale with the over-the-top acting, the rest of the fighting rings surprisingly realistic.Bloodsport was VanDamme's first movie and it still holds up as one of his best.
Can't say anymore about this film but its fight scenes are great despite being a little annoyed at seeing Van Damme doing the same kick over and over again.
However, if you watch it as it's meant to be watched, that is to say as a no questions asked, straightforward, martial arts tournament movie, then it is a truly great film.Based on an allegedly true story, there is no deep meaning to Bloodsport...but it isn't meant for one to be there.
This is a movie you can watch again and again, just because it's not all about the story.All in all, Bloodsport is an entertaining flick, with a decent story, decent acting, great music by Paul Hertzog, and great fight scenes.
I never grow tired of watching this movie; its one of JCVD (Jean Claude Van Damme's best role.
Not only does it have a decent plot based on a true story that is not wacky or corny in the slightest way (okay, it is corny in some parts, but not to the extent of Kickboxer), but the fighting scenes actually are the best of any American choreographed martial arts film out there.
I am a big fan of Jean Claude Van Damme, and I can honestly say, this is his best movie ever.
I rated this movie a 10, because I can never get tired of watching it and it is totally entertaining for any Van Damme or martial arts fan in general.I did find one more goof about the film though, in Chong Li and Paredes' fight, Chong Li wins by breaking Paredes' leg and you see the bone penetrating the skin.
It is a perfect film for Van Damme to showcase his amazing martial art skills.
Even though Jean Claud tried to remake this movie with The Quest, I believe that Bloodsport could not be surpassed.Despite being completely unrealistic at times it does appeal to the Martial Arts crowd very well.
Bloodsport is Best Martial arts movie in history.The movie is tense and fast.The background music adds to the chill.VAN DAMME(FRANK DUX) fights for honour of Tanaka for revenge of his son who is killed by CHUNG LI a fighter in "kumite",an illegal Hongkong ring fighting arena.The movie is full of intense action scenes.It is based on TRUE story of martial arts expert FRANK DUX.The lowpoint of movie-it could have been made bigger in length..
Van Damme, in this movie is a very good fighter and wants to learn from Mr. Tanaka how to FIGHT.
It was easily watchable and fun, and the fact that it was mostly based on a true story makes it even better, but what really makes this movie is Jean-Claude Van Damme's Martial Arts Skill.
If you like Martial Art's Films, Van Damme Films or Action Movies..this is for you..
Bloodsport stars Ogre from 'Revenge of the Nerds' as he tries to win some underground fighting tournament against a bunch of Asians, Jean Claude Van Damme and some mystery French/German kickboxer.
Any fan of kick 'em ups owes it to himself to watch this film - Van Damme's finest hour, and the best fighting movie ever made..
I have seen all the Van Damme movies, and I could promise to you that 'Bloodsport' is the best of them all...
This is Van-Damme's best martial arts film and one of the best ever in the martial arts genre.Based on Frank Dux's true story, who also helped the fighters in this film, it tells the story of how he enters the kumit'e.The fight scenes are amazing, and are all real.
Frank Dux (Jean Claude VanDamme) has spent most his life being trained by Tanaka to participate in the Kumite, the ultimate martial arts tournament, where participants are seriously injured, even killed.From a critical standpoint, this film gets sort of a bad rap because of the cheesy acting and formulaic plot.
Bloodsport tells the story of martial arts expert, Frank Dux (played by Jean Claude Van Damme), who travels to Hong Kong to participate in a dangerous underground competition known as the Kumite.
My number 1 personal favorite the best martial arts tournament film of all time in Van Damme style.
My number 1 personal favorite the best martial arts tournament film of all time, with Enter the Dragon!
The best martial arts movie from Jean-Claude Van Damme he ever did.
It is now 30 year anniversary since this movie come out.Bloodsport is in my top 10 Van Damme films.
We can all agree Bloodsport is one of Van Damme best films, he ever did and worked on.
Bloodsport is my number 1 personal favorite martial arts tournament and one of my favorite Van Damme movies.
Bloodsport is no high art and it with today standard where it all about the craft and the acting it maybe consider a bad movie but without it we will never got a Jean Claude Van Damme when Bloodsport not only make him famous but also shape his career into what we know and love today.Arguably there far better movies about martial arts tournament than Bloodsport like Enter The Dragon with better fight scenes but I still hold the movie close to my heart because there something about a guy with worst English than his sensei entering a bloody event with his loveable but obnoxious friend that make this movie so enjoyable.Because I love Hong Kong style of action where anything is quick and brutal so at first the fight scenes in Bloodsport for me kinda slow and not that interesting but from time to time when I get used to it the fight scenes turn out very believable and realistic in many ways..
If you like Van-Damme movies you'll probably enjoy it, but this movie despite having some good fight scenes really shows its age now.
Jean- Claude Van Damme (getting better at his English lol) plays Frank Dux, a strong will-ed fighter who decides to enter the Kumite, a deadly illegal fighting arena where men confront each other and display their athletisism...
This is one of my all-time favorite movies, I loved the story line (which is true), this one is probly Van Dammes best movie.
If your a fan of the "underground tournament, brutal fighting" martial arts movies then definetly check this out!.
This movie is so very crummy.It's an exhibition of terrible acting, a thin and ridiculous story(yet based on a true event), pathetic dialogue, non-suggestive music ("go on a date"-music when Van Damme is chased by cops in the Shanghai harbors) and so on.Now, of course, all these things are secondary to the fighting and action scenes.
Enter the Dragon only bloodier and not half as enthralling, this cherpy action classic sees Van Damme as real-life master Frank Dux, escaping from army training to represent his dying teacher in the brutal Kumite, a violent martial arts tournament secretly-held in Hong Kong where world representatives get to strut their stuff.
Van Damme stars as a soldier who flies to Hong Kong to compete in a outlawed tournament called the kumite.The story is cliched but still Bloodsport offers excellent action scenes and rewards to be worth a look.
One can tell why people often say this is "the very best martial arts movie ever made" (que exclamation marks and over-use of caps); quite simply because this is a solid, fun movie to watch as a whole.Fighting films should be about fights, obviously, so it would be a good idea to just keep the rest simple, which is just what Bloodsport does.
'Bloodsport' is the best Van Damme movie ever.
'Bloodsport' is the best Van Damme movie ever.
The plot could have been better, and the acting too, but it is a Van Damme movie, and it is the fighting we wants, and the fighting in this movie are very good!
Good Van Damme film, Bad Movie.
This is obviously Van Damme's best film, which isn't saying much since most of his movies suck.
Van damme's best & the greatest martial arts film ever.
Bloodsport is definately Jean Claude van Damme's best movie.
It seems like they all try: I wish they'd stick to what they are good at.Bloodsport is just amazing in terms of martial art on film.
Frank Dux (Jean-Claude Van Damme) decides to turn his back on the military so that he can compete in the Kumite (which is a full contact fighting tournament held in Hong Kong).