MovieChat Forums > Kickboxer (1989) Discussion > Comparing this to Bloodsport (1988)

Comparing this to Bloodsport (1988)


Kickboxer has a superior script, but Bloodsport is better paced.

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I haven't watched Bloodsport in a while, but from what I remember of it and recently seeing this, I gotta things Bloodsport is better. Kickboxer is quite bad. Funny and entertaining, but bad.

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I think that both films are GOOD martial arts films, but Bloodsport was always my preferred movie.

It's hard to put my finger on why. Maybe it was the Hong Kong setting. Maybe it was the superior villain. Maybe it was the superior sidekick characters. Probably it was all of that, and then some.

As a kid, the battle for my "favorite movie" was always between Bloodsport and Revenge of the Ninja.

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Bloodsport is absolute dogshit (I'll never understand why it's so beloved?) The fights are garbage, no form, no technique (just gay-ass slow-mo and posturing) same with 'Double Impact' (sheesh!)

Kickboxer (and 'No Retreat No Surrender') highlight the best of Van Damme's (limited) skills.

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I actually agree with you. Kickboxer has a better story and better character development.

Bloodsport is just the overall better movie, though. Awesome and unique fights with pretty cool choreography.

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I'm not sure that Kickboxer has the better story. A guy out for revenge after his brother is injured feels like a worn out trope to me, whereas a guy evading the CIA so that he can honor his master feels more fresh, even today.

And I'm not sure about character DEVELOPMENT, but certainly the characters in Bloodsport are better. Ray Jackson, for instance, is a much better/more interesting and entertaining friend to the hero than Winston Taylor, and I have to say that I prefer Chong Li to Tong Po as well.

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No disagreements here about the characters in Bloodsport being way better. They were all interesting and you really wanted to see various matchups between different fighters.

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Agree with you, Kickboxer has a classic martial arts script: villain kill/hurt family -> the hero (friend/brother) want revenge -> a old man teach him -> he ready and beat the villain. BTW, I don't have any problem with that typical script, find it enjoyable.

Agree with Bloodsport have better characters. Although I find Tong Po villain better than Chong Li. Bloodsport little better in soundtrack department (Kickboxer have better closing credit).

Overall, Bloodsport is better movie than Kickboxer in most points.

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Yeah, I think so, too.

Regarding Chong Li vs Tong Po, I think the reason I prefer Chong Li is because the awesome Bolo brought something to the character that made him feel more interesting and three-dimensional.

Regarding the soundtrack, they're both great but I agree that Bloodsport's is better. I actually used to own the soundtrack back in the day and would listen to it occasionally. I never owned the Kickboxer soundtrack.

When I was a kid I loved both movies, and I still do, but I have always found myself going back to Bloodsport more often. I'm not sure how many times I've watched either, but certainly I've seen Bloodsport more than I've seen Kickboxer. They're both classic and iconic martial arts films, but Bloodsport just ultimately feels like the more unique and more interesting movie.

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No doubt that Chong Li is more complex character than Tong Po, I prefer the last one due his size, fight ability and his cruel-sadist persona that make him the ultimate villain in my opinion.

It's interesting, behind their macho male personality, both characters are quite insecure when they face a serious competitor. Chong Li looked very nervous in the crowd when he seen JCVD kick ass. Secondly, despite their great record in battles, both decide to cheat (and in a very radical manner).

Regarding the soundtrack, they're both great but I agree that Bloodsport's is better. I actually used to own the soundtrack back in the day and would listen to it occasionally. I never owned the Kickboxer soundtrack.


One of the thing I loved about JCVD movies is hearing the song in the closing credits. 50% of the times, the song have the title of the movie in the lyrics 😂



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Bloosport has better music IMHO.

Bloodsport is less gay. Kickboxer is a fine MA film of its era, but you have to laugh at how gay it is.

Bloodsport has the training montage at the beginning, which highlights all the different fighting styles we'll see later in the film. There's also a tournament montage. Montages always rule, that's why we love Rocky movies so much!

Kickboxer looks better as a film. It clearly had better photography and better film stock.

Kickboxer arguably has a better villain.

Kickboxer has an in-depth training sequence. This is probably its greatest strength over Bloodsport.

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Blood sport soundtrack is amazing. And now i must watch american kick boxer to appreciate the gayness

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