Kickboxer

Rating:
Summary: Frank the forgery
Review: If you believe Bloodsport is based on a true story you are mistaken. Bloodsport is based on the life of Frank Dux. The truth is Frank Dux is a fake, phony, and complete disgrace. He made up lies passing himself off as a highly decorated but unknown Vietnam Vet who served with the U.S. Marine Corps. on clandestine missions in Laos in the mid 70's. The trophy he is said to have won; he awarded it to himself after it was forged at a place near his home in North Hollywood. If you don't believe me you can read it for yourself in a book, by B.G. Burkett and Glenna Whitley, called Stolen Valor: How the Vietnam Generation was Robbed of its Heroes and its History. Bloodsport is not a movie based on a true story. Frank Dux is a liar who like many others who have stained the memory of 60,000 American G.I.'s that died in Vietnam.

Rating:
Summary: Kickboxer: The Ultimate Vengeance
Review: 'Kickboxer' imo is a very solid film. Van Damme plays 'Kurt Sloan'. His brother 'Eric'(Dennis Elexio) is the kickboxing champion. As the film opens he finishes off the last person there is to beat. He's then interviewed after the match and asked what he'll do now. And its suggested that he go to thailand where Kickboxing originated. He likes the idea and decides to go with it, dragging his brother Kurt along for the ride. As they enter Bangkok Stadium you can immediantly tell how different the style is there compared to what Eric was used to in America. Kurt watches the match with a concerned look. The stlye is almost street fight, anything goes. They head to the back and Kurt tries to talk Eric out of it. Eric won't be denied the fight with their champion to prove he's the best and tells him to just go get some ice. Upon returning from getting the ice Kurt hears banging soundes. He peers through a door where he sees 'Tong Po', Thailand's Kickboxing Champion, kicking a huge post holding up the building with his bare leg over and over again. He returns to his brother and begs him not to do it and explains what he saw. His brother still says no and that he can either go with him on this or go home. They agree to go through with it and get to the match. Eric is destoryed by Tong Po in the opening rounds and refuses to cancel as his brother asks. He goes into the 3rd round getting beat once again and Kurt throws in the towel. To his suprise Tong Po swiftly kicks it back on the ropes and then proceeds to elbow Eric in the back as he tries to get up, paralyzing him. This story of true revenge continues with Kurt finding out how bad his brother is hurt. He wants to rectify what happened to his him and seeks out someone to help him learn muay-tai so he can fight Tong Po. The legendary Xian decides to train him after a few scenes of putting him through some choors. For about 3 months Kurt goes through some intense training. The scenes shown for the training are great imo. Van Damme shows off his Martial Arts Skills and acting skills alike to let you better connect with the burning fire in him to want to fight Tong Po as he must do some things that are hard to watch almost, while training in order to prepare. This film also has a love story focusing on Van Damme and Xian's Niece. After months of training Van Damme is ready and Xian sets up the match after testing Kurt's ability to fight disoriented in a hilarious bar scene. They later find out the fight will have ancient rules which means each fighter's hands will be wrapped in rope, dipped in resen and dipped again in broken glass. Kurt takes this information with confidence as his brother is outraged, who earlier tried to pursuade Kurt to stop saying he should've listened to him, but he didn't and not to make the same mistake. Kurt knew he was a great fighter though and he didn't train week after week for nothing, he was goin to beat Tong Po. Kurt finally gets to face Tong Po and his brother has been kidnapped. He's then given an ultimadem. Lose all the rounds or his brother dies. Kurt is disposed of most of the fight and Tong Po informs him that he raped Mia Lee, his girlfriend, after a dominating beating, burning even more fury in Kurt. The final round comes and Kurt's brother Eric arrives from a rescue by Xian. Kurt now knows his brother is safe and can finally unleash all the fire burning inside him. The final round turns out to be an awesome match that gives you chills. It all culminates into on final move and the winner is clearly declared.

All in all, I can see why I loved this movie back when. I love it even more now on DVD. Its really a good movie about one man driven to his ultimate boilng point in so many ways. Giving him the passion he needs to finish off his opposition and achieve his ultimate goal. Van Damme, who coryographed the fights in the film, really entertains with his training and fighting. And I didn't mind the love story, just another good thing about this movie. It gives seemingly every single motive a man can be given to want to destory another man and just all comes togeather greatly. Mix in the hint of comedy it has and its a great watch. Van Damme is very convincing as his main role. I just wish he would do sequals, I dont' think he ever has. Cos Kickboxer two is good as well, but Van Damme decided not to come back, oh well I guess. The first is always best, so just focus on this for now. If you enjoy martial arts, Van Damme movies, or movies that take you on a ride, then this is definetly for you through and through. One of my top five in my collection of DVDs.

I did have one major problem with this movie though. Profanity. Why do people have to do this? You don't need profanity, it just kills parts of your movie for some people. I know it does for me. So it gets a 4 star, but if you can get passed that kinda thing its still an awesome movie.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely LOVED IT!?!?!?
Review: Back in the 80s, this one was one my top movies!!!! Along with Karate Kid, The Dragon : Bruce Lee's Story and best of the best. All inspired me to become a martial arts expert. Which I have used for over 7 years! I can seriously say I have watch this movie over 100 times, before going to tae kwon do and afterwards. Trying to perfect my form, all show off movies. Nothing too powerful, but it looks amazing in demos for karate schools. You will truly fall in love with this movie!! RENT/WATCH IT/OWN IT!!!

*why does van damm always have to reveal his rear end in almost every film he makes??

Rating:
Summary: Best Scene Ever!
Review: This movie is unbelieveable! The reason it is unbelieveable? One scene, and one scene only. The dancing scene in the middle of the movie. It goes like this...Van Damme and his wily master go to a dive bar. His master makes him drink a mystery liquor. Van Damme, being the dork that he is in this movie (he is wearing a body suit/tank top at the bar that has clamps that connect at the shoulder, this keeps the shirt from falling off and makes Van Damme look like a dink), gets hammered. He is then forced to dance... With a shreek "AYYYEE", his master cues the music and movie history is made! Van Damme shakes his hips and does his splits, attracting all the babes...and Tong Po's gang! But who cares about those hooligans, Van Damme is getting his groove back better than Stella ever thought possible! The gang attacks him, and he pummels those lousy goons. "You got Served!" has nothing on Van Damme! He would serve those suckahs like he does Tong Po at the end! Nut-Sue Cow (White Warrior in Thai) to you all! What this movie teaches us is that Van Damme's ballet lessons did not actually teach him to "cut a rug", and that his brother is Latino? Buy this movie for this scene, trust me.

Rating:
Summary: Another Van Damme classic
Review: Like its predecessor 'Bloodsport,' 'Kickboxer' is a showcase for the young Belgian karate expert Jean-Claude Van Damme. Like the character he played in 'Bloodsport' (Dux), Van Damme played a likeable, underdog fighter who has to overcome great odds against a hulking fighter who crippled his kickboxing champion brother. The training and trials he goes through to finally avenge his brother is reminescent of numerous Chinese kung fu movies.

'Kickboxer' and 'Bloodsport' are to martial arts what Rocky 1-4 are to boxing. You can't help but cheer for the little guy.