Lionheart

Rating:
Summary: One of Van Damme's VERY BEST-The Legionnaire Avenger
Review: Do not be misguided by the fact that this movie was shot back in 1989, and thus be led to assume that this is another one of the low budget, b-movies that Van Damme used to make in the 1980's.

AWOL/Lionheart, is arguably his best film ever.

The story begins in what is a typical modern Legion Etrangere camp somewhere in North Africa. Van Damme plays a ranker soldier, Leon, who is serving in one of the Legion's crack North African detachments. Here, we get the very rare glimpse of what is like to be a modern Legionnaire: Both the scenery and camp are very realistic, rigid discipline prevalent, with emphasis being put on the soldiers' perfect fitness through physical training and manual labour.

Suddenly, Leon receives a letter from his only brother's wife who lives in the USA, informing him that his brother was beaten to death by some villains, and that she needs someone both to avenge his death and take care of her and her little daughter.

Rigid almost inhuman discipline in the Legion is once again underlined, when Private Leon asks to see his Commanding Officer, an impressive blond Frenchman, every inch a soldier. After hearing the reasons why Pvt. Leon asks for a leave, his CO coolly denies on the grounds that he firstly needs him "down here", and secondly that Pvt. Leon's contract with the Legion excludes furloughs.

From here onwards, the movie ceases to be static, and becomes a fast paced action adventure, as we follow Van Damme's risky escape from the camp to some North African muslim seaport, where he seeks to obtain passage on one of the Merchant Ships there, to the USA. In the meantime, his French CO has reported him as AWOL, and he has ordered two of his best NCO's to locate and return the deserter back to his unit.

Van Damme evades his pursuers, and signs on a 1950's Steam Turbine General Freighter as a Wiper, in order to pay for his passage.

When he finally arrives in the USA, we see him wandering the streets of New York, dressed in Navy fatigues looking for a job. He finally makes his way under a bridge, where the odd black bookmaker is staging a no-holds barred street-fighting tournament of sorts. The bookmaker, seeing Van Damme's incredible physique, suggests that he should fight in the next match in return for a fee. Asking his name, Van Damme replies slowly in French, "LE-ON", whereupon, the bookmaker hears "Lion" and proclaims him the "Lion". Thus, a new street-fighter star is born.

Van Damme, keeps fighting for profit, and his successes attract the attention of a gorgeous Nordic-American female manager, who is organizing fights for the entertainment of the Jet-Set NYC citizens. She falls in love with him, and acting as his manager, arranges his participation in high-class private fighting matches for the rich. Van Damme wins fame and glory, but his mind is always with his dead brother, and his widow and daughter.

After doing a lot of digging, he finally manages to locate his brother widow and daugter, whereupon one of the most touching scenes of the movie take place, when Van Damme meets his brother's daughter and widow, amid hugs and celebration.

But, his pursuers from the Legion, follow close behind, looking for a chance to seize him. Finally, they manage to track him down, in some makeshift arena where Van Damme is about to meet the late World Wrestling Federation Champion Andre the Giant, in a match to the death, which would be the culmination of his career as U.S. fighter. As the match progresses, we see the two Legionnaire NCO's, formerly his bitter enemies, having changed into stalwart supporters of his, witnessing first-hand his bravery and fighting skill.

After the match is over, the French NCO's make themselves known, and take Van Damme into their custody, despite his brother's widow protests. Then follows the most touching scene in the film, with Van Damme hugging his brother's daughter, tears flowing in his eyes. The scene is so compelling, that even the tough French Legionnaires, after looking each other, cannot avoid to shed the odd tear.

After putting Van Damme in the car, the French NCO's drive only about half a mile down the road, when the car stops suddenly, and Van Damme is set free, in order to return to his dead brother's family.

A truly great movie, one of Van Damme's few movies, which I enjoyed seeing over and over again. The movie will be loved by, not only from those who admire the French Foreign Legion, but from martial arts fans as well, not to say anything of Van Damme's fans, who will absolutely love it. It is one of these rarest of the rare low budget movies that, having started with meager resources, by luck and hard work are turned into pearls.

The hero's devotion and love to his only brother, deeply touched me, and I think also struck a chord deep within the souls of all who saw it. I do not think that there is a single man, who would let his dead brother's wife and daughter suffer, no matter if one was half the planet away from the other. Sometimes, duty to the dead brother's family comes first from duty to country.

A truly outstanding movie:buy it.

Rating:
Summary: Van Damme doing his thing
Review: His earlier work is what has always appealed most to me and I was not disappointed with this one. It's kinda cheesy, but it's a Van Damme flick, so what were you expecting?
It's a lot like Bloodsport and Kickboxer in regards to the story line.

Rating:
Summary: The Heart of a Lion
Review: How clever to have named Van Damme "Lionheart". He escaped a French legion to escape to America. He had to find a job, so he fought on the streets. After winning all of his fights (predictable), he fought a huge, unsightly man at the end in a tent! After defeating such mortals in a pool, under a bridge, in a circle surrounded with car lights and on military grounds, Van Damme couldn't control himself. He even acts for the first time, how insane! The world went mad when this Van Damme epic was released. And I have stayed that way ever since!

Rating:
Summary: LIONHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: I don't know what Leonard Maltin's thinking when he's watchingthis movie, because the fight sequences are some of the most realisticever made. The only problem I see with this movie is that it has way to much heart, and thats a good thing. Apparently its just too much for Mr. Maltin, but I can understand his ignorance. He's just unwilling to accept Jean Claude Van Damme's perfect screen performance.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best movie ever!!!
Review: I love this movie. Van Damme must fight for his family. He must collect money in order to help his ex girlfriend. This movie have beautiful scenes, great music , awesome acting. If u like these horrible action movies with much violence, none meaning, then dont watch it. This is more a drama then action. Its really about friendship, the end scene is REALLY SAD!!!!!!!!!!! -:) TEAR JERKING NUMBER 1. The sadest scene Ive ever ever seen in a movie. Much more emotional then al these stupied romantic comedies that hollywood produce. THIS IS A REAL MOVIE! -:)

Rating:
Summary: I didnt like it
Review: I think that the fight scenes were too slow and that the used a poor system to hide the blows. every time an actor gets hit it switches to another angle for a seacond. the only time this doesn't happen is the last fight scene because the big baddy knows his distance. the combat is slow and obvious. I give it two stars becuse van damn does show some unique athletisism in his moves. Not that doing the splits in mid air is useful in combat, but it is interesting.

Rating:
Summary: Great movie, lots of action.
Review: I've seen ths movie several times. But despite that I would watch it again and again. The first time I saw it I was suprised how good this movie is. It is just a great movie. This movie gives us a glimp of J.C's emotional side. You need to watch it.

Rating:
Summary: Nothing new here; in fact, very little...
Review: If you're a Van Damme fan, you've seen this stuff before. If you're not, it's best to just keep away. His earlier works, including the excellent "Bloodsport," the timid "Kickboxer," and the silly "Death Warrant," all had the exact same elements this movie has. It's a by-the-numbers Van Damme flick that will probably interest only die-hard fans of his work. Director Sheldon Lettich and Van Damme have worked on another better film called, "Double Impact." See that one.

Rating:
Summary: its a very cool movie and i like it
Review: iI hope i could met Van Damme because i like the way he acts and the way he talks.I hope I could be like you one day.I always dream about meding you one day for the first time.I wish that you could come one day to my hous to met my family and me.If one day you want to come my addres is empire CA 12 south abbie.My Email is [e-mail] you Jean-claude Van Damme.

Rating:
Summary: Van Dammes best movie?????
Review: In this movie,Van Damme fight for his brothers family. Good action scenes gives entertaiment!!! I really enjoyed watching this movie!!!