Bloodsport

Rating:
Summary: Fun!
Review: It is pretty fun. Why? We'll get to that. First the negatives.

The acting is mediocre. Almost everyone just puts on a walk-through performance. Not Van Damme (Frank Dux), though. He proves once again that for a guy who usually plays a stereotypical American. In fact, he's quite laughable, to say the least. That forced Karate shrek's gotta go too. Surprisingly, Donald Gib(Jackson) and Bolo Yeung (Chong Li) stand ahead of the others, even though Yeung has maybe as little as 8 minutes of screen time.

Now for the plot. We have martial arts graduate Dux aiming to make his sensai (not "shendoshi", Van Damme) proud by a ancient, noble tournament, the Kumite. Of course, how the Kumite can be an ancient and noble tournament when it has an Asian mafia boss as one of the people running it is beyond me. There's also a break for romance that is really appalling.

But again, I enjoy this movie. You'd probably have to hear him say that in this supposedly serious scene, but you get my point.

Also, there's a good side plot with these two government agents who are sent to capture Dux because he's a valued soldier and the
government has a professional concern for him getting hurt in the
Kumite.

Finally, there's fight scenes galore, which was more than likely what the consumer was expecting from this movie. Not the best fight scenes, but still entertaining despite some botched choreography here and there.

In short, "Bloodsport" is a terrible, terrible movie that I really like. And I'm not ashamed to admit it.

Rating:
Summary: Silly but fun
Review: Although this can hardly be regarded as a classic, it is nonetheless entertaining. Van Damme is certainly no great actor, but in this film no one shows any great acting skill. The two agents who follow Frank Dux bumble around in a manner reminiscent of Abbott and Costello, but the fight sequences are rather enjoyable. Some of the opponents are very funny, particularly "Paco" (how does anyone win a fight in his country?), and the fellow who resembles Fred Flintstone (and is about as agile). Jackson is such a mindless buffoon that it is almost the highlight of the film when Chong Li kicks the crap out of him. If you are looking for a serious work of art, skip this one, but for a bit of silly fun, this is more than worth your while.

Rating:
Summary: One of the greatest Martial Art Film Made!
Review: This is a Van Damme favourite, even though not my favourite VD film. True story about Frank Dux who goes to HK to fight in a Kumite, replacing the place of the Tanaka Clan. He's first trained. He goes to HK where he meets up with a reporter and finds a friend, Jackson. Frank and Jackson enter the kumite, a secret underground tournament. Kumite = Japanese word for fight. Lots of action scenes, a a true Martial Arts film. There is one thing I don't get. Why isn't this film on DVD????

Recommend:
Kickboxer (1989)

Rating:
Summary: Best Western Martial Arts Movie - Ever!
Review: Say what you like about this film... but in the end, only one thing matters: this film is by far the most memorable of its genre. Lines such as "You break my record, now I break you" and "OK USA!" sticks to your head like glue! The music went perfectly with the whole movie, from beginning to end. The fighting in the movie would be disappointing for martial arts experts, but they were easy to follow for the general audience, and is quite fun to watch (who the heck came up with the idea of the monkey man??). It's been 10 years since I first watched this movie, and I've probably seen it 30+ times now since, but I just can't get sick of watching it! And on a plus side, the movie's filmed in Hong Kong!

Rating:
Summary: Van Damme's best
Review: Bloodsport is the one movie from Van Damme's career that stands out. Great fight scenes that'll have you at the edge of your seat, even if you're a pacifist.

The best aspect of Bloodsport is the music, bar none. It's such a winner, that people at Ebay are willing to spend $50+ for the Bloodsport CD soundtrack.

Donald Gibb (Ray Jackson) was decent, Van Damme was slightly better, but Bolo Young (Chun Li) stole the show and his character really held the movie together. That guy's fighting moves were flawless! The blonde reporter had some good moments (except for that argument she had with Dux at the hospital, which was bad) but those two G-men weren't all that believable.

Nevertheless, I bought a copy to watch the fight tournament, but I stayed for the soundtrack! A great 80s B-rated movie that I recommend for karate & action hero fans.

Rating:
Summary: Good fighting action
Review: Honestly this is the movie that jump started van damme's career. The music with the fight scenes keeps the movie looking good with awesome fighters around the world. What also made it real good was the fact that it was based on a true story and he fought for his friend and sensai, what more can I say, the movie is a must see for martial arts fans and one of van damme's best ever in his collection. Don't miss out on this one!!

Rating:
Summary: jean-claude at his best
Review: Van Damme is incredible in this martial arts spectacular about an underground Hong Kong tournament. Movie in the style of Kickboxer and Mortal Kombat but with a much better storyline. Unlike many other martial arts movies, the acting is as good as the fighting. Have seen many times and would have to say it is a must buy for Van Damme and martial arts fans.

Rating:
Summary: ARGH!
Review: This movie, like many Van Damme movies, is the touching tale of a dim-witted kickboxer who thinks he is a martial artist and often takes of his shirt, pours oil on himself, and jump kicks people while grunting loudly.

Actually, all Van Damme movies are like this, not just many.

The movie is about a martial arts tournament where people from around the world come to compete and try to win the prize, which is something I forgot. It is probably run by a super-evil vaguely Asian guy with mob connections. I haven't seen the movie in a while, but I know a super-evil Asian guy controls the tournament because EVERY martial arts tournament in movies is run by a super-evil Asian guy with mob connections, and Van Damme movies aren't known for being very original.

The movie features the really huge muscular guy from Enter The Dragon. I think his name is Bolo, but that could be his real name, his name in Enter the Dragon, or his name in Bloodsport. Anyway, immediately after someone smashes a brick in his presence, he says "Very Good. But Bricks don't hit back." (or something very similar), which is a quote from Enter the Dragon. I can see quite easily how this line made it's way into the movie.

WRITER #1: This movie is really bad.

WRITER #2: I know! Let's ... a bunch of stuff from a good martial arts movie to put in our bad martial arts movie! That should make it good, right?

If you want a good movie, watch something with Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee, or even Chuck Norris. Repeat to yourself "Van Damme bad. Bruce Lee good." Ok?

Rating:
Summary: Good movie, except when the plot gets in the way
Review: Bloodsport is about an American soldier who fights in a full-contact martial arts contest called the "kumite." That's pretty much it. There are distracting subplots, like the federal agents who are chasing after him to return him to the states (why is never explained. It is mentioned that the government does not want him dsiabled. Does the army forbid officers to skydive or hunt for recreation?) There is another subplot where an obligatory beautiful reporter/love interest tries to get into the kumite for a story. The hero meets and befriends a buddy whom he must later avenge (aside formn being a cliche, its hard to see why they became friends as the buddy is a loudmouth jerk). Then there is the old cliche about the hero trying to please his demanding master by busting heads (this subplot does little excpet highlight the writer's ignorance about Japanese martial philosophy). If you can ignore/fast forward through the subplots, you have a collection of great fighitng scenes the provoke a great deal of macho enjoyment.

Rating:
Summary: Bloodsport
Review: This is a good movie with beautiful action scenes. I admit, the acting is quite bad sometimes and is sort of a B movie but I still love it! If you haven't got the soundtrack to this movie, then get it!