Screenplay:
Glenn A. BruceCinematography:
Jon KranhouseComposer:
Paul HertzogCast:
Jean-Claude Van Damme, Dennis Alexio, Dennis Chan, Haskell V. Anderson III, Rochelle Ashana, Michel Qissi, Kar-wing Lau, Louis Roth, Ming-Yueng Lee (more)VOD (2)
Plots(1)
Accompanied by his brother Kurt (Van Damme), American kickboxing champion Eric Sloane (Dennis Alexio) arrives in Thailand to defeat the Eastern warriors at their own sport. His opponent: ruthless fighter and Thai champion, Tong Po. Tong not only defeats Eric, he paralyzes him for life. Crazed with anger, Kurt vows revenge. After a crash course in the ancient techniques of kickboxing from Thai master Xian Chow, Kurt challenges Tong. Their battle to the finish, born of lust, power and revenge, will leave only one man standing. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Reviews (2)
The film doesn't quite deserve its rating; it's a pretty classic revenge story, in this case, involving sports. However, JCVD is absolutely excellent here, and it's a movie I watched several times as a child. I hold it close to my heart, and it can't be removed from there. Kickboxer is simply a film about how a person can rise to the occasion. It's nothing more than the main character pursuing his goal and, in the end, thoroughly kicking the villain's ass. Quite thoroughly at that.
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A legendary B-movie that is a class better than the one-year-older Bloodsport. The fights are intense and well-shot, and Van Damme tries much harder to act, so occasionally, he even succeeds in some facial expressions. Otherwise, the kicks are fine, the villain is weaker, but the atmosphere of Bangkok and some scenes are fantastic. The best shot is when Van Damme goes into the dressing room with the Thai master, captivating, atmospheric, and demonic sequence.
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