I really enjoyed the last
UNISOL movie and (gulp!)
UFO truth be told (but none of that was down to Van Dammes involvement) I totally hear (and get) what you're saying about his ambition and dedication. I'd never question that. Van Damme puts a lot more effort in his projects than Seagal ever would. But other than a few flashy kicks, I never really thought of him as an imposing or impressive 'presence' to start with (even in his heyday)
Everyone else from the EXPENDABLES franchise (other than Stallone & Schwarzenegger) has gone back to DTV land as soon as the movies have finished shooting. So whilst I'm sure Van Damme & Lundgren enjoyed the 'Red Carpet' treatment, nothing has really changed for them since the EXPENDABLES? Raising ones profile in a big budget movie is fine....but the old-school action scene is so played out nowadays, you have to make 'ensemble' pieces in order to get asses on seats......No-one cares about Van Damme's solo efforts (probably even less than Seagals) projects like 'Jean-Claude Van Johnson' only exist (bizarely enough) *because* of Ridley Scotts involement (not the other way round)
BTW, that car commercial was fake as hell (viral videos like 'CAT FALLS FROM A PIANO' get just as many, if not more internet 'hits'....and are just as equally realistic) the fact that people actually believed that Jean Claude Van Damme was actually doing the splits whilst balancing between two vehicles.....says a lot more about the society we live in....than it does about Van Dammes skillset (and don't get me started on those COORS adverts)
But hey...You say tomato, etc.....So peace be to you, My Brother