The stage curtains open ...
In Jean-Claude Van Damme's directorial debut, he bring us what some have considered to be a watered down version of "Bloodsport" - with a secret, martial arts/fighting competition featuring only the world's best fighters in a true show of strength and skill. Maybe that's so ... but it was still a lot of fun to watch this movie.
Van Damme stars as Chris Dubois, who is a pick pocket in 1920's New York City leading a ragtag bunch of orphaned kids. When he gets into some hot water with local gangsters and the police, he escapes aboard a ship as a stowaway and finds himself on a secluded island in the middle of nowhere, and with no way out. He trains to become a Muay Thai fighter and works hard to appear in the Ghang-Gheng ... a competition where only the elite may participate. Along the way, he is supported by a couple of modern day pirates, a news reporter, and the U.S. fighter, Maxie Devine.
I had heard that this was just a basic re-hash of the Kumite for a younger audience, having been rated PG-13. I didn't feel that way. The use of colors, and the cinematography were top notch here. The sets were lavish. The cultures represented and the different fighting styles were eye catching and enjoyable. Even the story, though pretty generic, was engaging with decent performances all around. It almost had a made-for-tv feel to it, but not quite.
I really enjoyed this film. It catches Van Damme in his prime, and he did a decent job behind the camera, as he does in front of it. Roger Moore makes a nice appearance here as well. I recommend this one to not only Van Damme fans, but to actions fans in general. You can't go wrong with this slice of the Van Damme experience. A solid 7 stars out of 10 - one to watch and re-watch.
In Jean-Claude Van Damme's directorial debut, he bring us what some have considered to be a watered down version of "Bloodsport" - with a secret, martial arts/fighting competition featuring only the world's best fighters in a true show of strength and skill. Maybe that's so ... but it was still a lot of fun to watch this movie.
Van Damme stars as Chris Dubois, who is a pick pocket in 1920's New York City leading a ragtag bunch of orphaned kids. When he gets into some hot water with local gangsters and the police, he escapes aboard a ship as a stowaway and finds himself on a secluded island in the middle of nowhere, and with no way out. He trains to become a Muay Thai fighter and works hard to appear in the Ghang-Gheng ... a competition where only the elite may participate. Along the way, he is supported by a couple of modern day pirates, a news reporter, and the U.S. fighter, Maxie Devine.
I had heard that this was just a basic re-hash of the Kumite for a younger audience, having been rated PG-13. I didn't feel that way. The use of colors, and the cinematography were top notch here. The sets were lavish. The cultures represented and the different fighting styles were eye catching and enjoyable. Even the story, though pretty generic, was engaging with decent performances all around. It almost had a made-for-tv feel to it, but not quite.
I really enjoyed this film. It catches Van Damme in his prime, and he did a decent job behind the camera, as he does in front of it. Roger Moore makes a nice appearance here as well. I recommend this one to not only Van Damme fans, but to actions fans in general. You can't go wrong with this slice of the Van Damme experience. A solid 7 stars out of 10 - one to watch and re-watch.