Do you think this movie would of been better if Van Damme was the hero?

agreed

Not only that but it marked the end of Sho Kosugi's career as his time was "passe". Every time Kosugi and Van Damme squared off, I sensed as if Kosugi knew "this guy can kick my butt". Kosugi is more talented as a ninja than as a martial artist. Van Damme was too strong for him. The style of martial arts films in the late 80's changed since "Bloodsport" where physique and the pretty slow-motion kicks were the in thing.

The only way to watch this movie is to mentally reverse the roles on the fly.

Dunno about that. I'll tell you this though, it would HAVE been much better if people didn't use prepositions instead of verbs!

Van Damme IS the hero in this one. His opponents are just covering their asses and flee when it's getting too tough. Sho Kosugi is a family man tricked into working for CIA - of course he is not going to die hard and fight to death. And the fake priest cannot even fight (at least the impression is such).

The movie would have been more satisfying if Van Damme won in the end, married his girlfriend, and retired.

'Nu chto gliadite? Ne poluchali davno?'

Yes.

No, the movie would have sucked anyways, because the movie would still be plagued by a crappy script, lack of action, poor direction, and low production values. To be honest, it would have been better if this movie wasn't made at all.