Jaydep,
Not all of Van Damme's movies from the 90's were brainless action movies. Take a look at Timecop and Universal Soldier, what I consider two of his best movies. Double Impact showed that he had the ability to act, with 2 completely separate roles as twin brothers, each with different personalities. In Kickboxer, when he finds out that his brother will never walk again, that scene almost has me in tears when Van Damme breaks down and cries. Those movies showed that Van Damme could act and do his signature leg work as well. Compared to what he's putting out there now with the straight to video market, I'd consider his older movies works of art. Even Nowhere to Run, which had no martial arts in it, was a pretty good movie.
In my opinion, Van Damme will never be an accomplished "actor". These days, even when he tries, it comes off as very awkward, like he is uncomfortable and self conscious. That doesn't mean he shouldn't continue to explore further roles that challenge him as an actor, but what he's known for and will always be known for, is his visually impressive martial arts skills, which made him a star and established his fan base.
Sure, he made his share of brainless action movies with lame dialogue and repetitive basic revenge plots (Death Warrant, Hard Target, Universal Soldier 2), but those movies were at least watchable with his high flying kicks in full display.
I guess I just have a real problem with direct to video movies in general, with their rushed and low budget productions and no name inexperienced "actors".
Like I said before, The Hard Corps is a step up, but I fear that the old Van Damme, that people fell in love with, is gone. If you ask me, I think he could have a lot of success if he were to decide to make sequels for his earlier hits. Timecop 2, Hard Target 2, Lionheart 2, Double Impact 2, etc. A lot of untapped potential there. Even if these were released as direct to video movies, they definitelly can't be any worse than what he's been making lately.
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18 years ago
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playitodabone1
18 years ago
The movie was great. I hope he brings out more like it.
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firemacher11
18 years ago
i praying this since years, JCVD have to do a real martial arts movie again, at best two movies in a row, in the vein as his late 80´s and early 90´s movies. believe me, more people wanna see JCVD kicking than acting (JCVD is wrong when he really said that, that people don´t wanna see that anymore, he is more than wrong when he really believes that) altough i am a fan of his improved acting which i loved a lot in wake of death(!), replicant and in hell but now after SIC and the hard corps it´s enough from trying, being different, doing more acting than fights. now he has to do more his trademarks of his classics if he wanna be more popular again. altough i have much respect that JC is trying to be different and more an actor, i enjoy that some movies, too but i wanna see him again in his old style at least for 1 or 2 further movies. 3 short fights like in SIC is just not much enough...everyone will be disapointed of the lack of fights in over 90 minutes..is that so hard to do?
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18 years ago
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mrosubuckeye69
18 years ago
I have to agree with Bud wholeheartedly, this movie was average at best. Van Damme seemed emotionless throughout the movie, like he really didn't care if he was there or not. He and Vivica on the screen together was somewhat odd to say the least. It's like he is a tiring kickboxer who is running out of gas. Hopefully Kumite will bring back some old JCVD.
I'm as big a fan as anyone, and I actually thought Wake of Death was his best acting job, but I sure miss the high flying JCVD from the early 90's....
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hardhitterburell
18 years ago
I'm gonna have to go with playit. That movie is as good as DTV goes. And it was a step up from SIC.
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banton28
18 years ago
I agree with many of the negative comments stated earlier
I am a true lover of martial arts and movies
JCVD is a true martial artist and has done very well in the
beginning of his carrer, we all know he wanted to change his acting
style, but this is what made him, so he should stick to it, i dont know about other people but i want to see action, also getting older doesnt mean he cant show some good moves anymore, comon Van Damme, maybe its the director, look at Vivaca Fox in Kill Bill, the fight scenes were amazing! this is what Van Damme needs, somone that can direct him with acting and good old action coreography.
I was dissapointed in The Hard Corps, no fight scenes at first? goes in the ring with the girl and shows her nothing? fights Barcley for what reason i dont know, i guess to teach him a lesson but they end up choking each other? stupid movie, im sorry, but its true, dont get me wrong, if i could root for JCVD in a line, picket, crowd, whatever i would, up to now im still collecting his movies, and i love Kickboxer, Double Impact, Hard to Kill. JCVD can come back with the right help...
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CrazyJim2004
16 years ago
"That movie is as good as DTV goes."
No. It definitely is not. There are loads of better straight-to-video films. Everything about this production feels void of any effort. It's writers, actors, and directors doing the very minimal to collect a paycheck.
For more on this waste of time movie, check out my review of it and other crappy DTV action films right here.
http://blog.myspace.com/crazyjimfilms
^^^^^^^^ THAT'S THE LINK ^^^^^^^^^^^^
http://www.myspace.com/crazyjimfilms
Click here to read my scripts!
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