Bloodsport (DVD)

BLOODSPORT

Hands up who likes Jean-Claude Van Damme? Is that a hand at the back? No, none of you have the decency to admit beyond your better judgement that Van Damme is a bit of a legend? Sure, he's a smug git of the highest order, has limited acting range and has to shoulder the burden for the creation of the god-awful Double Team, yet the mainstay of his flicks remain eminently enjoyable. Indeed, even Cyborg was a video rental ...
...not got round to watching Bloodsport yet...

Frank Dux (Van Damme) has absconded from his military barracks in the US and headed to Hong Kong to participate in the Kumite, an illegal yet prestigious underground anything goes martial arts tournament. His aim - to be the first north American to win the tournament in honour of his dying mentor, Tanaka. Things aren't going to be easy though as the worlds best fighters, with vastly differing ... more

BLOODSPORT

Hands up who likes Jean-Claude Van Damme? Is that a hand at the back? No, none of you have the decency to admit beyond your better judgement that Van Damme is a bit of a legend? Sure, he's a smug git of the highest order, has limited acting range and has to shoulder the burden for the creation of the god-awful Double Team, yet the mainstay of his flicks remain eminently enjoyable. Indeed, even Cyborg was a video rental number one for eons during Van Damme's heyday; incredible considering Cyborg is mostly pants! But with a regular flash of an arse-cheek, ballerina styled fight scenes, a cheesy soundtrack, some homoerotic guy love and his signature move of doing the splits, what's not to like? The Fred Astaire of action movies is much more entertaining to watch than a Steven Segal fat-bloke look-alike with rosary beads shuffling about unconvincingly in an action flick, and with the likes of the deliriously fun Hard Target, the engaging Time Cop and the ego-tastic Double Impact (two Van Damme's for the price of one - priceless!) he's every bit a martial arts legend deserving of our respect. Still not convinced? Then you've obviously not got round to watching Bloodsport yet...

Frank Dux (Van Damme) has absconded from his military barracks in the US and headed to Hong Kong to participate in the Kumite, an illegal yet prestigious underground anything goes martial arts tournament. His aim - to be the first north American to win the tournament in honour of his dying mentor, Tanaka. Things aren't going to be easy though as the worlds best fighters, with vastly differing fighting styles, have also descended on Hong Kong for this years Kumite, including the rather despicable Chong Li (Bolo Yeung) the tournaments last champion. After making himself a favourite following an impressive example of a 'dim mak' and breaking Chong Li's tournament record for fastest knockout, everyone is gunning for good old Frank. Chong Li wants to break him, the US military want to electro shock him and force his return home and Janice Kent (Leah Aryes), a journalist he's hooked up with, wants him to quit before his pretty boy good looks are mashed to a pulp. But when a friend is mercilessly left for dead on the tournament ramp by a brutal Chong Li stamp, Frank's fight becomes just a little more personal.

Based somewhat tentatively on the real Frank Dux's participation at the 1975 Kumite (i.e. its mostly bollocks), Bloodsport is pretty much poorly acted and poorly scripted nonsense. Normally this would sound off the alarm bells, but if one is picking up a title like Bloodsport it's hardly likely you're expecting a Fellini masterpiece. Don't let future Oscar winner Forest Whitaker's appearance fool you otherwise! Not that the poor acting does any real harm though, as it makes Bloodsport somewhat unintentionally hilarious. There's something to be said for getting actors who can barely say a word of English fumble through their lines unconvincingly or, better yet, over dubbing them when they've done such a poor job, which makes for some unexpected chuckles. Still, Ray Jackson (Donald Gibb) is a hoot as Frank's fellow US compatriot entering the Kumite. An oafish, bad-mannered, beer-swilling giant with a heart of gold, he gets near enough all of the best lines and plays the buddy-buddy support to Van Damme's enigmatic hero with great stature. And credit due to the (at the time) 50-year-old Bolo Yeung as well, who is suitably menacing as Chong Li.

Yet, as is the way when making a low budget martial arts action flick, the equation is quality fighters over quality actors and this is where Bloodsport really works. Not only are the fight scenes expertly choreographed, they are also hugely entertaining and satisfyingly nasty. The range of styles on show is exquisitely portrayed; from exponents of kung fu that are swift and fast moving, to wrestling type heavies that are more comfortable bear hugging opponents until their spinal column goes limp. It makes for some compelling confrontations. Obviously it's a logical step from the Island tournament of Bruce Lee's Enter the Dragon, but with Rocky style montages and some simply inspired cheesy eighties rock tunes. Read as, the cheesy eighties rock makes it better than Lee's film. No shit! When you add a nasty leg break from Chong Li's baddie, which is likely to make one wince, and an in your face head butt that ruins a competitor's face you soon realise why it's called Bloodsport. This film is hardcore and these moments help to remind the audience that Frank is at the Kumite, not the school playground.

Then there's Van Damme. Quite frankly he is awesome in this. Maybe it has something to do with it being his first starring role, but he certainly seems to be enjoying himself and pretty much wears a beaming smile throughout, be it playing video games with Jackson or out-pursuing the comedy military duo on his tail. Sure, the attempt to act is risible at best, but he gets through on pure boyish charm and toned physicality alone. Indeed, Van Damme has probably never looked in better shape, which works supremely well whenever he enters the Kumite floor. Scenes where he is trading kicks, willing his opponent to hit him harder, or simply removing his top to show off the 'muscles from Brussels' makes it somewhat believable this kid could survive against this kind of opposition. And whilst Van Damme's fight sequences are never going to be as impressive as anything Jackie Chan has managed, his own fluid and ballet like style is certainly engaging and brutal enough.

Of course, Bloodsport is also the place where all those quirky Van Damme trademarks we love to complain about sprang to life. From the spectacular 360 degree spinning kick, to his affliction of doing the splits whenever possible - its all here. Yet for once it all seems so fresh and unpretentious. The training sequence in an early flashback where Tanaka is stretching Frank's legs is immense, if only because Van Damme goes on to snap the tree in half as he raises himself into the splits position. Never was it as impressive again. Likewise, the repetition of a Van Damme blow from a variety of camera angles doesn't seem to distract as much here as it does in nearly all of his subsequent movies. Which near enough makes Bloodsport close to genius!

It's funny, the combination of excessive violence (the Kumite mat is literally covered in blood by the time of the final bout), cheesy eighties rock, unintentional comedy and Van Damme's boyish charm shouldn't work, but it all comes together in some weird juxtaposition where everything just seems so right. Even the fact Bloodsport is really a love story between Frank and Jackson (in a guy love, mutual appreciation kind of a way - come on it so is) nestles subtly between the many layers of the film. That's how perfect an action movie it is - hidden homoeroticism to make you feel more comfortable with your manliness, despite the fact you've been subconsciously starring at Van Damme's arse for the last 90 minutes. Don't try denying it either. Further still, no Bloodsport, no Street Fighter 2 arcade game. That's how important the movie is. For devising a range of characters that were deftly lifted to influence one of the greatest beat 'em ups ever devised, means we all owe Bloodsport a huge debt of gratitude. That it is also the perfect martial arts movie, which is better than Enter the Dragon should not go unnoticed either. And it cannot come more highly recommended than that...

Overall - Easily Van Damme's best film, this is where everything he did seems so fresh and unique. Brilliantly entertaining with brilliant fight sequences and all delivered in a way that only a cheap eighties action flick knows how. See, told you he's a bit of a legend.

Director: Newt Arnold

Screenplay: Christopher Cosby, Mel Friedman and Sheldon Lettich

Cast:

Jean-Claude Van Damme... Frank Dux
Donald Gibb... Ray Jackson
Leah Ayres... Janice Kent
Norman Burton... Helmer
Forest Whitaker... Rawlins
Roy Chiao... Tanaka
Philip Chan... Inspector Chen
Bolo Yeung... Chong Li

Rating: 18

Running Time: 92 minutes

Genre: Action/Martial Arts
 

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