Nick said:
As a big fan of Jean Claude Van Damme I have to disagree with many on the fact that he has faded. Maybe slightly only because he made such questionable films as Desert Heat, Universal Soldier 2, and Derailed. Little to like in those poorly made films. But Ringo Lam really showcased a different Van Damme for most of us. He has become an actor. Sure maybe not an Oscar one but a good one nonetheless. Just look at Maximum Risk, Replicant, and In Hell. The fact that In Hell grossed more than Belly of the Beast and was released in several theatres should tell you he still has quite a large Fan Base. I thought Wake of Death was quite a good film. He defiantly gave a good performance but it would have been even better if Ringo Lam didn’t leave. Now the fight scenes I feel are being overrated. They were very short and not very impressive. But I felt the movie worked well enough and the torture scene was very in the style of Scorsese. The final showdown was probably the most disappointing part though. Very B style and looked like it belonged in an 80’s film.
Kumite sounds like a great project if it happens. I mean I seen advertising for it. Why would he abandon it after all the advertising? I am quite positive he won’t. Maybe he will reconsider the idea of Bolo Yeung’s Chong Li training him in the film. I have high hopes for this film I must say. His other two upcoming films sound just dismal. He should do Kumite and then his Directing follow up The Tower.
Well on Kumite, I dont think it was his choice to push Kumite back. He probably had creative differences with the producers, since he is directing it and wrote it. I have mix feelings about the movie. On one hand, its been done, hes done a few tournament movies already and this one is kinda confusing. Is it a Bloodsport sequel or not? But on the other hand hes not getting any younger, and this may be our last chance to see him go all out and do a ton of martial arts in a movie.
Im looking forward to Second in Command, it has a nice budget, and from what I heard the director did a good job with Wesley Snipes and 7 seconds. Castel Studios are really nice and this film should be solid. The Hard Corps sounds like something Seagal would've done several years ago. So Im still kinda iffy on whether Im looking forward to it or not. But it does seem to have a small love story built into an action flick, I like that.
Its been real nice seeing Van Damme grow as an actor, I have a lot of respect for that man. I wish and pray that one day Seagal will wake up and just realize he needs to put more effort into his films.