Kickboxer

Rating:
Summary: Better than "Bloodsport"...
Review: Yes, this movie was better than "Bloodsport." Basically, as one reviewer said, it's a basic plot: good guy's brother gets beat up, good guy trains real hard and beats bad guy. However, they did it so cool:) When Van Damme goes to Thailand, the movie gets awesome. There are some very nice Thai fights in the ring (both in the background AND during Van Damme's bouts). The training scenes are rather long (always a plus with martial arts movies) however they aren't accurate to Muay Thai. Why? Thai boxers don't do Van damme's "splits kick," among other things. And Thai boxers (in the old days) kicked banana trees (with rubber bark), NOT palm trees. Don't let this movie influence you to go try and kick down a tree with your shin. There, that being said. Go watch this movie:) Still want more? Hmmm... cool music (the old guy's flute rules), beautiful women, and comedy. What else is there?

Rating:
Summary: Kickboxer delivers heavy Van Damme-age!
Review: Not exactly "Gone with the Wind", but this is without a doubt Van Damme's best pic. Sort of a cheap cross between "Rocky," "The Karate Kid," and "Bloodsport," this film is loads of fun with plenty of action and a good helping of corny jokes.

Rating:
Summary: Martial-Arts fans wake up!
Review: Everybody in search of a good story or anything else that would normally make this title worth a look: Go away! This is for Martial-Arts fans only! But if you like the old fashioned "good guy gets trained by wise old master to kick the butt of the bad guy"-movie Type: Go ahead! Buy this! This early van Damme movie delivers it all (unlike most of his more recent ones): Great fights with a stunningly energetic choreography and one of the longes training-sequences ever to be seen in a movie. Especially the final fight agains evil Tong Po is a feast for every Martial Arts junkie. Going over almost 12 minutes (beware of the heavily cut german and english versions!) this fight is one of the best, ever satged with van Damme showing all he's got, only that here it's much better filmed than it was in "Bloodsport" for ex. His famous "Splits-kick" can be reviewed in this movie again, too! If only he would be doing this kind of stuff still. END

Rating:
Summary: Martial-Arts fans wake up!
Review: Everybody in search of a good story or anything else that would normally make this title worth a look: Go away! This is for Martial-Arts fans only! But if you like the old fashioned "good guy gets trained by wise old master to kick the butt of the bad guy"-movie Type: Go ahead! Buy this! This early van Damme movie delivers it all (unlike most of his more recent ones): Great fights with a stunningly energetic choreography and one of the longes training-sequences ever to be seen in a movie. Especially the final fight agains evil Tong Po is a feast for every Martial Arts junkie. Going over almost 12 minutes (beware of the heavily cut german and english versions!) this fight is one of the best, ever satged with van Damme showing all he's got, only that here it's much better filmed than it was in "Bloodsport" for ex. His famous "Splits-kick" can be reviewed in this movie again, too! If only he would be doing this kind of stuff still. END

Rating:
Summary: The Classic, The Best
Review: This has to be the best Van Damne movie with Bloodsport and Hard Target, get this movie its Van Damne's best, 4.8/5

Rating:
Summary: Better than "Bloodsport"...
Review: Yes, this movie was better than "Bloodsport." Basically, as one reviewer said, it's a basic plot: good guy's brother gets beat up, good guy trains real hard and beats bad guy. However, they did it so cool:) When Van Damme goes to Thailand, the movie gets awesome. There are some very nice Thai fights in the ring (both in the background AND during Van Damme's bouts). The training scenes are rather long (always a plus with martial arts movies) however they aren't accurate to Muay Thai. Why? Thai boxers don't do Van damme's "splits kick," among other things. And Thai boxers (in the old days) kicked banana trees (with rubber bark), NOT palm trees. Don't let this movie influence you to go try and kick down a tree with your shin. There, that being said. Go watch this movie:) Still want more? Hmmm... cool music (the old guy's flute rules), beautiful women, and comedy. What else is there?

Rating:
Summary: THIS IS NOT A VAN DAMME MOVIE! CHECK ASIN OR UPC
Review: THIS IS NOT A VAN DAMME MOVIE! CHECK ASIN OR UPC.This movie is a martial art film about the world of Illegal KickBoxing. EDEN Entertainment. Each fighter is a lethal weapon.

Rating:
Summary: My Fav Van Damne Movie and My Fav Movie
Review: Im like the biggest Van Damne fan and this is like the best movie by Van Damne and mayb the best fightnig movie,including with Bloodsport but Kickboxer is the best.

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.