This is Jean Claude Van Damme's best film and shows his considerable fighting range and ability. Although clearly quite big headed in real life (as most movie stars are) he has true talent and world class ability in my opinion. His athleticism with doing the splits, spin kicks, clear martial arts technique, likable persona, good looks and awesome physique make for a very worthy action star of today. Many may not condone the violence and brutality (this film is very violent) but its done with style as Van Damme is transformed from a shy coach into a master of Muay Thai Fighting.
Although always criticised as an actor Van Dammes basic acting and emoting is nothing like as bad as people make out and I find him to be far more believable than most without an ounce of pretentiousness. Scenes where he is upset at the hospital over his brothers severe injurys and defeat at the hands of Tong Po are in fact very well acted and believable.
This is reflected in the whole film, from its realistic fight scenes to the wonderful Thailand scenery and ruins and innovative Muay Thai training techniques. There is also something immensely likable about the entire film, it does'nt claim to be brilliant but in fact it is. The characters such as Tong Po (the villian), Winston (the vietnam vet) and the master Xian are all memorable and have a powerful and quite realistic presence. Kurts brother is even played by Dennis Alexio who was a former undisputed world champion kickboxer and gives the film even more punch. The best film of its kind and set the benchmark. Has been much imitated since but never bettered.
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Production Year: 2002 - Martial Arts - Director: Yimou Zhang - Original Language: Mandarin - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Jet Li, Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Maggie Cheung, Ziyi Zhang
Production Year: 1981 - Martial Arts - Director: Kenji Misumi, Robert Houston - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: Kayo Matsuo, Minoru Ohki, Akiji Kobayashi, Shin Kishida, Masahiro Tomikawa, Tomisaburo Wakayama
Production Year: 1994 - Martial Arts - Director: Wong Jing - Original Language: Cantonese - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Gary Daniels, Chingamy Yau, Jackie Chan, Joey Wong, Kumiko Goto, Richard Norton
Production Year: 1972 - Martial Arts - Director: Bruce Lee - Original Language: English\Cantonese\Chinese - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: Bruce Lee, Nora Miao, Chuck Norris, Robert Wall, Jon T. Benn
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