VAN DAMME: A RETROSPECTIVE (25 Career Highlights Good & Bad) PART 4

Sorry, its been a week since I last posted. But hey, at least you had something to look forward to. This is the final list and BEST of the man JCVD:

7) In Hell

It has been awhile since I've watched this movie all the way through, but I remember being completely surprised by it. Not only are the action scenes realistic and raw compared to the choreographed ballet of violence we are used to getting in Van Damme movies, but the story itself is good and the performances are moving. This is actually a good prison movie as well, not just a Van Damme action flick. There is a sob story involved, but if you ignore the horrible CGI butterfly, then you can appreciate this film for what it is.

6) TIE: Hard Target & Cyborg

Yes, "Hard Target" is the movie where Van Damme rocks the southern mullet and knocks out snakes. It is also the movie filled with over the top villains played by the likes of B movie stars Lance Henriksen and Arnold Vosloo. Throw in Yancy Butler "Witchblade: The Series" and veteran Hong Kong action director John Woo making his American debut and you have a full package. A lot of people didn't like the story, but watching the film you can't help but marvel at the director's signature touches. Only Woo can make gun violence and explosions look so beautiful. Woo and Van Damme might not have been the best mix and this is neither of their greatest works, but coming together is a pretty decent early 90s action flick. If it wasn't for the style of Woo this film probably would have floundered, but he makes it one of the most visually interesting Van Damme films to watch.

"Cyborg" may not have won any awards for, well anything really, but it holds a special place in my heart and was one of the "Big 3" early Van Damme pictures that put him on the map. As you see above, Van Damme is somewhat of a futuristic Jesus in this movie and must take down a band of villainous pirates named after guitars who have captured a cyborg that contains important information to help save the future. I'm not going to commend any of these performances, but what I do like is the fight scenes and the gritty future this film sets up. "Cyborg" is not a good movie in the classical sense, but it is extremely entertaining. And really, who hasn't wanted to do a spin kick to someone's throat with a knife attached to their shoe? You are probably wondering why I made it a tie with "Hard Target", and the answer is I just couldn't put it above it or above any of the next films I'm going to talk about. Or it could be I just forget to list it properly until I started writing this piece. Who's to say?

5) Universal Soldier

Besides "Timecop", this might be Van Damme's other most successful film. Honestly, it is just a really good action flick. There are hints of science fiction and drama, but as far as pacing and an action film playing out with exciting moments and tension, it doesn't get much better than "Universal Soldier". Dolph Lundgren puts on one of his best performances as a lunatic soldier and Van Damme does surprisingly well as a machine like killer, but also a man who is starting to have feelings. Plain and simple, an action classic.

4) Universal Soldier: Regeneration

Some people would think I'm insane for putting this so high, or even above the original "Universal Soldier". I mean, this movie wouldn't exist without the original right? Well, for "Regeneration" the answer is more of a maybe. This movie would be really good even if it didn't have Van Damme and the "Universal Soldier" history attached to it. This film goes the smart route and ignores everything from "The Return" and creates an edgy new look for the franchise. The cinematography is amazing. The action sequences are brilliantly filmed. All around this movie is just plain good. The most surprising thing to me was mma fighter Andre Arlovski putting on a decent performance as a silent killer and lesser known mma fighter Mike Pyle holding his own as the hero soldier. You have to see it to believe my words and I know that is hard to accept coming from a straight to DVD sequel to a movie from many years ago. Just judging from the cover it looks like a disaster, but with the promise of approval by Death of the B-Movie, I strongly recommend giving "Regeneration" a try. To me, it is the best straight to DVD movie of all time and one of the best movies of the year.

3) JCVD

The movie that single handedly pumped new life into Van Damme's direct to DVD career and FINALLY gave him the acting credit he deserved. This is not an action movie. This is a drama and character study of a man broken and beaten. This film is very smart to use Van Damme's native tongue instead of english. His acting chops really show and the fact that the story is so closely based on his real life, adds extra heart to the most unique film of JCVD's career. Some people may say it is the best film he has ever done. It depends on what you are looking for. From a pure entertainment standpoint, probably not. But from a personal level, it may be his best work.

2) Kickboxer

I really struggled between putting "JCVD" ahead of "Kickboxer" or after. They are both so different, but so good for many reasons. Technically, in pretty much every aspect, "JCVD" is a better movie. But "Kickboxer" will go down as one of the most influential martial arts movies of the 1980s and one of the most entertaining martial arts pictures ever. Van Damme travels to Thailand with his kickboxing champion brother. His brother is brutally hurt in the ring when he can't adapt to the Thai style rules and JCVD must avenge his brother in an epic battle with Tong Po, the man who permanently paralyzed him. Chances are if you've never seen "Kickboxer" you won't go see it now and you probably won't even like. "Kickboxer" isn't for those people, but for the Van Damme fans, for the martial arts fans, for the 80's B movie fans, montage training fans, etc. This is just classic Van Damme and classic martial arts action. If you didn't grow up on this film then you probably don't understand, but those of us who were violence craving young boys understand the importance of this movie.

1) Bloodsport

For those who have seen "Bloodsport" does it really need an explanation? I guess I'll humor you, even though anyone reading a B-movie blog has probably seen this martial arts classic. Where to start? "Bloodsport" is the first starring role picture by Van Damme and the movie that put him on the map. The studio didn't give it a chance and no one liked JCVD, but it was a surprise hit and a whole slew of copy cat movies have been made since it's release, some even involving Van Damme himself. "Bloodsport" is probably the most important martial arts movie of the 80s and did many things for the genre just like "Enter The Dragon" did in the 70s, and Jackie Chan pictures did in the 90s. One could also argue that this was the first time different styles of martial arts were mixed and recognized this extensively and detailed. Besides the general overview of why this film rules, what about the other small things that make this picture so special? So many little things can be mentioned that it is nearly impossible remembering them all, even after hundreds of viewings. The classic one liners from Jackson aka Ogre in "Revenge of the Nerds", the brutal battle scenes, the colorful characters, the old asian man saying "OK USA!", and Van Damme showing his butt for the first time (although not last) make this movie unique compared to other pictures of the same genre. Van Damme does his best spin kicks and has his best training montages. He battles the most classic villain of any of his films, Chong Li. And with "Kickboxer", "Bloodsport" packed a one two punch that could have only catapulted Van Damme to higher stardom.

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There you have it, the essential list. I'm wondering what other people's favorite Van Damme movies are and why. I actually put time and effort into this one, so hopefully you enjoyed.