5 comments about Derailed.

1. I hated this Van Damme movie. I own all his others but I could not bring myself to add this to my Van Damme collection. I found this to be a very bad movie with very low production values. There was nothing in this movie for me other than annoyance. Very poor direction, cheap and laughable special effects, particularly the exterior train sequences where the train looks like it is made of wood, illuminated with a light bulb from the inside and pulled along by a piece of string. Bad lighting, badly filmed, executed and edited martial arts and action sequences. Laughable acting performances from all including Van Damme. Very bad audio post production special effects to such an extent that at times you can't hear character dialogue. I got the impression that a lot of this was filmed in very low lighting conditions to hide the cheap sets and obvious poor special effects. Basically the movie is a cheap rip off version from a mix of Under Siege 2 with Steven Seagal and The Cassandra Crossing with the late Richard Harris. I would say to anyone thinking of buying this to go and rent it on the cheap first before splashing out your cash. You might be thankful you did.



2. There were so many things wrong with this movie. Featuring Jean Claude van Damme as agent Shaq (I think his name was Shaq...yeah that's right...I think...) who guards a woman who has stolen a powerful hybrid of small pox from the Slovakian government.
   
   By now you're thinking, "What?" Hang with me, we're not done yet.
   
   Shaq and the female thief catch a train heading to Germany. Shaq gets an unpleasant surprise when his American family happens to be on the same train to surprise him.
   
   You're probably blinking in astonishment. Hang on, I'm not even to the conflict yet.
   
   Unfortunately, terrorists hijack the train and put everyone in a room for hostages. Shaq handles the situation by crashing through a window, beating people up for five minutes then getting knocked out with one punch. Yes you read that right. Kicking people and windows are no problem, but a tap on the head, that's another matter.
   
   Shaq escapes and begins to take out the villains bit by bit. One fight scene in the automobile compartment involves Shaq riding a motorcycle out of the compartment, onto the TOP OF THE TRAIN while its STILL MOVING, then JUMPING onto A PASSING TRAIN and riding off that train ONTO THE GROUND and DRIVING AWAY FINE.
   
   No, don't stop reading the review, the movie's not done.
   
   Shaq gets back on the train and fights the last few villains while another train collides with his locomotive. You're probably thinking, "So there's a major train crash?" No, the train collides at the end of the train with the front untouched. Characters explain this as hitting the back of the train...which still doesn't make sense as the rear of the train is connected to the REST of the train. But a friend and I came up with our own theory. You see, the front of the train was going so fast at the moment it was transported to another dimension. Hence only the rear was affected, while the front came by unscathed.
   
   Besides the fact its basically a rip-off of "Under Siege 2" which was "Die Hard" on a train (ripping off a rip-off, how does that work?) this movie will either have you shaking your head in confusion or going for the headache pills from start to finish. The good news is this is one of those bad movies you can make fun of, as opposed to those that make you feel dumber by the minute. Between NATO headquarters being in Bonn to Shaq's wife telling the World Health Organization how to handle diseases like they wouldn't know, you'll find reason to laugh at this movie. Intentional or not.



3. I dont normally slate films but this one was asking for it so bad.
   OMG- It saddens me to think the director got paid for this.
   Please someone- write & direct a good film for Van Damme- he deserves better than this...



4. well for its budget this movie is very entertaining and a lot of action has some good fighting van damme is good lots of fun.



5. DERAILED
   
   I have always been a huge fan of Jean-Claude Van Damme; in fact I own every one of his films. So the other day I said to my self I should watch one of his films I hadn't seen in a while, "Derailed" was the one I went with. It was a wise choice because this is a very entreating movie, much better then I remembered. I still don't know which I think is better, this film with Van Damme or "Under Siege 2" with Steven Seagal which was also on a train.
   
   The story is about Jacques Kristoff who is hired to escort a woman named Galina Konstantin onto a train and get her across the border. Of course it wasn't that easy since she is carrying a bio weapon on board and some terrorists are after it. Of course in true Van Damme fashion he fights them all on board a speeding train. And to make things worse his family is on board and the virus breaks loose on all the passengers.
   
   Writer's Adam Gierasch, Jace Anderson, and writer producer Boaz Davidson have created a pretty good movie with plenty of action. Under the direction of Bob Misiorowski this film is actually a really good film, even my grandmother liked it. Also along side Boaz Davidson there is seven other producers including Avi Lerner, that is a lot of people producing one film. Of course what sets this apart from other similar films is Van Damme and his style of action, which is excellent and exciting. And of course Van Damme's performance is great as is the rest of the cast. Laura Harring does a good job as Galina who has the virus, and Tomas Arana as Mason Cole is excellent as the lead villain in this film. The rest of the cast is just as good, all the bad guys Van Damme's family [including real life son], and train passengers are amazing in their supporting roles.
   
   This is a very good movie for a boring day at home when you just want to relax. This isn't the best Van Damme film ever but it isn't the worst either. I recommend this film to any body reading this.

No comments about Replicant/Universal Soldier.

3 comments about All the Love You Cannes!.

1. This DVD is a great documentary about the struggles Troma has been through with dealing with the corporate elites at Cannes film festival. It is also an interesting look at what you really have to go through as in independent filmaker. This documentary is a no holds barred guide to every step of making your own independent movie on a very small budget and coming out with great results like Lloyd. Kudos to Lloyd and the Troma Team they have put together another winner in my eyes. Check it out and you will not be dissapointed. To the die-hard fans this dvd offers a glimpse into the everyday life of Troma filmaking. LONG LIVE TROMA! Forget the hollywood pattern. Take a chance on truly independent cinema and you will be forever changed.



2. You have to give the Troma people some credit - they're not afraid to stab themselves in the eyeball from time to time. "All the Love you Cannes" apparently began life as a simple (and pretty damned useful) guide to surviving at the Cannes Film Festival on a limited budget. Places like Cannes are crucial to an independent studio like Troma - they attract international buyers, they pick up small, ... films for cheap, they get precious screenings for their films. But they also promote themselves, and here's where "ATLYC" turns a little ugly.

   The Troma Team is willing to try every stunt imaginable to get a little publicity, including walking the streets of Cannes dressed as various Troma heroes, staging lesbian make-out sessions, hilariously crashing Jean-Claude Van Damme's "press conference," where JCVD shows up for about 2 seconds. All well and good, but gradually we start to see a struggle between Scott, who prefers a businesslike approach, and Doug, the incredibly obnoxious "Director of Marketing" who believes that drunkenly harrassing the citizens of Cannes is good, clean marketing.

   I won't tell you where Lloyd's sympathies ultimately lie (he's much more cuddly in this doc than in the making-of's of "Terror Firmer" and "Citizen Toxie"), but at least I have to respect him for sticking to his guns...he'd rather support the artists who have made Troma, for better or worse, what it is today than kowtow to the people with the most money. Still, watching the behavior of the Troma team degenerate to truly ugly depths can be difficult, and might queer your sympathies toward Troma. The ending of this story is really no surprise, and Lloyd can't pin it on his entertaining-if-paranoid theories of Corporate Conspiracy. Troma definitely gives itself a purple nurple with this one.

   Still, you gotta admire them for releasing this doc. It's scrappy and entertaining, and generally well-edited - it's better than "The Making of Citizen Toxie," but maybe not as fun as "The Making of Terror Firmer." It does feature some solid advice, and some lovely Tromatic debauchery. Will it make you a bigger Troma fan? Maybe not. Will you buy their next DVD anyway? Of COURSE you will!




3. This review is coming from a Troma Fanatic, so what I say is kind of biased...
   
   All the Love You Cannes is a brilliant documentary. Maybe not briliiant really, but it is one of the most entertaining docs I have seen in a long time (and I watch a lot of docs). You get to see what happens when the Troma Team shows up at the Cannes Film Festival. They are there to try and get their name out there, and to sell their movies to international distributors, and a whole cast of crazy Tromen and Gynos is along to create the spectacle that seems to follow Troma everywhere now.
   
   The movie features Doug Sakman in an unforgetable role as the biggest piece of crap that has ever walked the earth. His antics start out as entertaining, but as the movie progresses and as he shows up in more Troma stuff, they become irritating. That is really the only negative thing that I can say about this movie, but then there are idiots who show up at Troma events, unfortunately this idiot had( still has?) a job with my favorite production company.
   
   There are plenty of crazy things going on, beautiful gynos ( a few even get naked), and more than enough Toxie, Kabukiman, and Uncle Lloydie to go around. A must see if you are a Troma fan or a fan of independent cinema.

5 comments about Inferno [Region 2].

1. A MAN SEEKS VENGEANCE AGAINST A GANG THAT STOLE HIS MOTORCYCLE. STRAIGHT UP PREDICTABLE AND UNDENIABLY BORING. VAN DAMME LOOKS SO TERRIBLE IN THAT BEARD, I HOPE HE NEVER DOES A MOVIE WITH HIS BEARD LIKE THAT AGAIN. THE MOVIE IS STUPID, THE PLOT IS SO LAME, AND THE ACTION IS SO BORING. I DON'T EVEN UNDERSTAND HOW A DIE- HARD FAN OF VAN DAMME COULD LIKE THIS! THIS IS A MOVIE THAT DOESN'T EVEN DESERVE TO BE IN STORES. THIS DEFINITELY AIN'T WORTH ONE CENT OF ITS PRICE. IF YOU ARE A VAN DAMME FAN, DO NOT WASTE YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY ON THIS MOVIE. A WALK IN THE WOODS IS MORE EXCITING THAN THIS. IF THIS MOVIE REALLY DOES APPEAL TO YOU, THEN YOU OBVIOUSLY DON'T KNOW YOUR ACTION MOVIES TOO WELL.



2. This is a typical Van Damme action film which means you have to park your brain in Nuetral to watch it. Jean Claude plays an ex soldier who is tormented by his dreams and is contemplating suicide in the desert. Then his motorcycle gets stolen and this gives him the perfect opportunity to kick some butt.This movie is redeemed soley by the presence of Gabrielle Fitzpatrick who is a truly beautiful Australian actress. This actress is absolutely GORGEOUS and I hope to see her in many more movies to come!!!



3. I never stop being amused by some audience demands for great (o'k, good) acting from Van Damme. It sounds like entering BurgerKing and asking for a rack of lamb (and being dissapointed that they do not serve it). For me this movie is attractive enough not so much because of VD character and action (though he is surprisingly funny too) but mostly for the surrounding hilarious characters. Just the elderly Japanese gentleman who gleefully giggles packing yet another body (provided by VD's hero) into cellophane and dumping it into a ravine, would have been enough to enjoy the movie but there are others as well, equally hilarious. I believe it would be the best to approach that movie not as a serious action flick, but rather as a black trash comedy - that everything falls into its proper place.



4. I've never been a big Van Damme fan but I have to admit this movie is fun. It's another retelling of Kurasawa's classic Yojimbo much like A Fist Full of Dollars (Clint Eastwood) and Last Man Standing (Bruce Willis), this however, is like the trailer park version. It's a little less classy and has nowhere near the same caliber acting. What it does have is Mr. Miyagi, Danny Trejo and a couple other surprise faces. Van Damme even comes across with a hint of self-depreciating humor (probably unintentional) that sets this flick apart from the rest of his stuff. Nobody takes Van Damme seriously, he should make more movies like this with ensemble cast and maybe his career would turn around.



5. Surprised bought this movie by mistake. Was really good. Im looking for a van damn movie with the same bearded big guy that was with him in blood sport. I remeber girls in bikini's in a empty swimming pull but cant remeber the name of the movie.

5 comments about Lionheart.

1. I am a big Van Damme fan. I was excited to finally get this widescreen edition. Not only is widescreen not available as described, my old vhs tape has better video quality than this.
   
   For 7 bucks I'll keep it for now and replace it when it (hopefully) comes out on Blu Ray.



2. Not only we get to see him doing what he does best, which is kicking and fighting, but he really acts in this movie.
   
   The story is touching: he's a french legionnaire in Djibouti when he gets a letter from his brother's wife that his broter has been severily injured, so he leaves for the USA, without money and with the french secret service behind him. When he gets there he has to fight to earn money for his brother's family, the brother's wife and his niece ( a beautiful little girl ).
   
   The fight sequences are great, the last fight is one of the best Van Damme's fights ever.
   
   Harrison Paige's acting is really good, and his character is really well done. His dialogue at the end of the final fight is one of the movie's best moments.
   
   If you like any other Van Damme movie, then you have to buy this one.
   If you don't like Van Damme at all, but like martial arts movies, then you have to buy this one, because the fighting scenes are great.
   If you don't like martial arts movies, then you have to buy this one, because the story is interesting and touching.
   What can I say? It's a great movie!
   
   So...buy this movie, hightly recommended.



3. The Jean Claude Van Damme Review Matrix (JCVD-RM)
   
   1. Who is he? Lyon Gaultier, a disgruntled, often disciplined French Legionnaire stationed in Africa
   2. Which family member/friend must be avenged? His brother François, who gets torched to a crisp after reneging on a drug deal
   3. Does he take his shirt off? As a stowaway on a ship to America, Lyon is forced to shovel coal into the boilers of the boiler room. And, whew!, does it ever get hot down there!
   4. Does he have sex with a C-List actress? No, despite the fact that a rich, psychopathic, sadistic blonde fight organizer named Cynthia basically threw herself at him
   5. Is there a tournament? More or less, only, winners advance to bigger and more lucrative matches with each victory
   6. Is training needed for this tournament? Not specifically. His military training and hard labor already prepared him for battle.
   7. Does he do the splits in training or in the tournament? Sadly, unless mid-air splits count, the answer is no.
   8. Does he punch someone in the balls? With a well-placed single shot in his initial organized bare-knuckle fight, Lyon destroys the reproductive future for a guy who looks like the biker from the Village People.
   9. Does he do a series of flying or 360 kicks? The question isn't "does he", it should be "where does he". The answer: In a racquetball court, under a bridge, in a nearly empty swimming pool, and a small arena with stands.
   10. Is his enemy unbeatable? Atilla basically looks like the guy one-step-to-the-left on the Evolutionary chart. Additionally, he has saxophone-sized mutton-chop sideburns, which is scary in and of itself.
   11. Does he overcome an injury or other hindrance? In a previous battle, Lyon sustains a broken rib, and some betting against him know it.
   12. Does he win? Yes, and it's a near perfect ending.
   
   It's uncanny how talented JCVD is at making this type of movie. If it were anyone else, the corniness would be much worse. It's almost as if his poor acting (despite this being his best acting job) makes this type of movie better. JCVD is like epicac; under normal circumstances, it's not great to chug a bottle, but when mixed with the consumption of something sure to turn your stomach otherwise, it's perfect. Best of all, the little girl who plays Lyon's niece Nicole (Ashley Johnson) is absolutely adorable (later went on to be Mel Gibson's daughter in What Women Want), and adds a real humanistic aspect to the movie without getting in the way of the tumultuous action.



4. Great movie!
   
   If your a Van Damme fan, you've already seen it!
   
   It was the "Fight Club" of the late 90's!
   
   Recommended to all men!



5. I thought this was a pretty good movie. Great fight scenes, some corny little emotional moments, but definitely recommended for Van Damme fans!

5 comments about Kickboxer.

1. This has always been a favorite movie of mine. I was disappointed that I had picked a movie that was the wrong region. I put it in one DVD and it came up wrong region. Then I put it in another DVD player and beauty away it went. The picture quality was exellent. Like I said before one of my favourite Van Damme movies and there where no hic ups with the recording.
   Thanks Amazon you came through for me again when I couldn't find it in the shops here in Australia.Kickboxer



2. Excellent martial arts movies a bit corney but my girlfriend loved van damme body. guess i got my work cut out for me.



3. On the heels of Bloodsport and the weird sci-fi flick Cyborg came Kickboxer. Here, Jean Claude Van Damne plays Kurt Sloane, the manager and younger brother of kickboxing champion Eric Sloane (played by real-life fighter Dennis Alexio).
   
   While fighting a Thai fighter named Tong Po, Eric gets injured and Kurt vows revenge on him. To this end, he meets a former fighter named Xian Chow and falls in love with his niece Miley.
   
   While much of the film is corny/cheesy but there are some funny parts too. The most funny (to me) is when Xian gets Kurt (Van Damne) drunk in a bar, has him dance (which is one of the funniest things that I have ever seen) and then fight some guys in that bar! Its priceless!
   
   Also, some of the training made me cringe, especially when he made him kick the tree with his injured shin! My friends thought when he did get the tree down and fell to the ground, that was the funniest thing! Even I chuckled a bit because basically he was trying to show Xian he wasn't weak! That's what "machismo" will get you!
   
   Overall, not a bad film!



4. The Jean Claude Van Damme Review Matrix (JCVD-RM)
   
   1.Who is he? Kurt Sloane, hapless corner man for his brother Eric Sloan, hapless kickboxer
   2.Which family member/friend must be avenged? His brother gets pummeled into a paraplegic, and his new girlfriend gets raped...both by the same guy
   3.Does he take his shirt off? He's topless throughout nearly the entire movie.
   4.Does he have sex with a C-List actress? I'm not even sure if she's C-List, and I'm not totally sure JCVD got past first-base
   5.Is there a tournament? Yes, but JCVD makes it straight into the championship match.
   6.Is training needed for this tournament? Training constitutes the majority of this movie. He kicks a defenseless bamboo tree to somehow strengthen (and not fracture) his leg, and does calisthenics with a backdrop of historic ruins, screaming eagles, and warrior spirits. The majority of the training, however, well...
   7.Does he do the splits in training or in the tournament? Not only does he do the splits, but he's involved in some sort of sadomasochistic, palm tree pulley system of groin torture that goes beyond actual splits. Such an important concept to this movie, I think "The Splits" is listed as a co-star on the official DVD.
   8.Does he punch someone in the balls? No, but his heel goes Achilles tendon deep into Tong Po's colon - that's enough.
   9.Does he do a series of flying or 360 kicks? Only at every possible opportunity.
   10.Is his enemy unbeatable? Tong Po is not only unbeatable, but his shin bones have been surgically replaced with iron rods.
   11.Does he overcome an injury or other hindrance? Yes, his brother is held hostage by Tong Po's people, and Kurt is told to enter the fight without defending himself. On top of that, he learns mid-fight from Tong Po raped his girl.
   12.Does he win? Through sheer willpower, and the most telegraphed collection of blows in fighting history, he somehow prevails.
   
   This is the funniest of all JCVD movies. The stretching torture, the underwater kicking scene during training, the German Sheppard, the hokey choreography, the pointless jive-talking black guy, the absolutely hysterical lack of defense from Tong Po during the final battle, laughable acting, and a genius dancing scene reminiscent of his appearance in Breakin' all make for a gem. If you like JCVD, cheesy martial arts movies, or a good night of MST3K, pick this one up for an entertaining night.



5. Kickboxer figures as one of the most exciting and legendary martial films of a very young by then Van Damme.
   
   His elder brother travel to Thailand for defending the title, being the Western champion in this category. But what both ignore is what the will find in that arena. His brother will have to face a sadistic and ruthless fighter who will play dirty, leaving him crippled.
   
   This dramatic fact will make Van Damme encourages and trains with all the rigorousness and maxim discipline with a curious old master, an exotic and sympathetic shaman who will prepare him with wise lessons of life too.
   
   The arresting landscapes of Thailand conform an additional frame of reference, although the predictability of the script. Because the fact twenty years have elapsed it's time to set this entertained and dynamic film in its right place and bringing it back its status cult. It deserves it.
   
   Don't miss it!.

5 comments about Universal Soldier: Return.

1. Universal Soldier DVD
   
   It all began in the jungles of Vietnam. Two dead soldiers were rescued from death in a secret governmental program. Unfortunately some memories still linger. This movie pits Jean-Claude Van Dame against Dolph Lundgren. Who do you think will win?
   
   Recommended for fans of Jean-Claude Van Dame and Dolph Lundgren.
   
   Gunner April, 2008



2. Looking at it now, the film was pretty corny but it still is a scary thought! Not to get political but don't think someone in Washington, DC hasn't thought about doing what they did in this film!
   
   Back to the movie, it stars Jean Claude Van Damne and Dolph Lungren. For me, Dolph made this movie more than Van Damne! I actually found his character funny as well as sinister. Van Damne's character was definitely a straight shooter here.
   
   Overall, it has good action, a few cheesy moments but also a few memorable catch phrases (some of which I can't repeat here). It isn't the best movie for either action actor but its okay overall.



3. I said it then and I say it now, boys just want to have fun. Okay since when are guys not allowed to enjoy macho soldier movies? And ladies keep in mind when our toys are taken away yours will follow shortly thereafter. Sure this movie may not have any great acting, but actually the directing, costumes, sets, effects, and music aren't bad. Van Damme and Lundgren play soldiers that died in Viet Nam while fighting each other over killing a prisoner. The next thing you know it is thirty years later and they wake up in a special refrigeration truck with the latest in war toys and they are part of special unit designed to go in and perform miraculous fetes of physical endurance and prowess. You know, run down dams and things so they can rescue hostages. Probably why most guys enjoy this still. This is actually probably at the top of the heap of movies made by Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren. Although I must admit I love "Timecop" and "I Come in Peace". I actually cracked up when they commented on Van Damme's accent in the movie and asked if he was French. So it goes to show they even had a sense of humor. If you like action packed without alot of redeeming societal morality and political correctness then welcome to fun time with macho men fighting, shooting lots of bullets, and blowing things up. Great quality DVD with some special extras, decent replayability.



4. My husband loves this movie so for his birthday I got it for him. The DVD arrived quickly and was in great condition!



5. The Jean Claude Van Damme Review Matrix (JCVD-RM)
   
   1. Who is he? Luc Deveraux, former US soldier in Vietnam who, when killed by friendly fire, becomes part of a military medical equivalent to Frankenstein, the Universal Soldier (UniSol).
   2. Which family member/friend must be avenged? As a humanitarian soldier, Deveraux considered friendly Vietnamese his friends. It's just too bad his Sergeant didn't.
   3. Does he take his shirt off? It's probably because he's dead, but JCVD is shirtless in a faux cryogenic, stasis in bubbling water scenes stolen straight from comic books, as well as whenever the UniSols are back in the mobile lab or in a vat of ice. I'm sure the ice thing was written in specifically so he could take his shirt off.
   4. Does he have sex with a C-List actress? Thankfully he didn't...otherwise this movie would have involved necrophilia.
   5. Is there a tournament? There is no sanctioned tournament, just UniSols going about their mission.
   6. Is training needed for this tournament? Quoting the awesomeness of Stripes, "Aaaaarmy training, sir!" (Which is odd considering both movies are about ridiculous military situations)
   7. Does he do the splits in training or in the tournament? Even though it's not explicitly part of the plot, he nonetheless manages to form an upside-down "T" during a fight scene.
   8. Does he punch someone in the balls? Although it's slightly off camera, it appears JCVD delivers three solid punches to the jewels of Sergeant Scott (Lundgren). Given JCVD's propensity for nut-shots, it's safe to assume knuckle met scrotum.
   9. Does he do a series of flying or 360 kicks? Not only does he fulfill his normal helping of spin kicks, but he adds a few new versions into the mix.
   10. Is his enemy unbeatable? It sure seems that his enemy is unbeatable. In the final battle, Deveraux kicks Scott in the face five times in a row, and the only thing Scott does is laugh.
   11. Does he overcome an injury or other hindrance? Well, technically he's dead, and there's some sort of combination of UniSol injection and ice water bath requirement for keeping a soldier recharged, but otherwise he's good to go.
   12. Does he win? With the help of a wood chipper - and a final line of, "You're discharged, Sarge" - Deveraux literally tears Scott apart.
   
   With some great wire work in some fight scenes, and tons of head shot gun play, the action is top notch for this JCVD iteration. The plot is interesting enough to have spawned more than one sequel. And Dolph Lundren makes a solid appearance in the meeting B-action superstars. What's great is that both main characters are supposed to be resurrected cyborgs, and each of their respective robotic acting ability just happens to be perfect for the role. Nothing new here; just JCVD being awesome yet again.

5 comments about Timecop.

1. A time cop races through time to right the meddlings of a corrupt politician in the past. Van Damme is a cop whose wife has died and becomes a time cop. A corrupt politician is messing with the past to get enough money for his political campaign. The movie has pretty good fight scenes which are basically showing off Van Damme and his body. It has an interesting premise for the time it was done (1994) although the special effects were not that good, even for the time. The acting is better than other Van Damme movies though.



2. All in all, Timecop held up pretty good. There are a few FX shots that don't look as good as they should but for the most part the film looks real good on HD-DVD. The only real bad part is that, like the first dvd's that came out, there are no extras. Also, it was delivered to Canada in about 4 days(with 2 of those being the week-end) and I am not in a major city!!! Gotta love that.



3. If you were a Van Damme buff like me when you were younger, then you swear by and worship films such as Bloodsport, Kickboxer, and Lionheart. Timeless late 80's early 90's films that were immensely popular at the time and quite enjoyable as action movies during that era. However, Van Damme's reputation quickly faded because he was type-cast as the brute karate guy who was hell-bent on just kicking you in the face at an 120 degree angle.
   
   Timecop is Van Damme's glory film in his acting career. A wonderful and entirely believable futuristic story of time travel that with a little better directing and production could have been a darn good action flick. Van Damme plays a futuristic cop who witnesses his wife's murder and is determined to do something about it. Coincidentally, he's the top time travel cop for the time travel program that the government currently has implemented for national security reasons. Of course he's going to use that to his advantage. What ensues is a mixture of other time travel movies all brought into one but with that Van Damme flair. While the overlying message is that the past is a terrible thing to alter, Van Damme's life has never been the same since the loss of his wife. The only way to survive his mundane existence and to save the country in the process is to go back in time, alter it, and kill a few bad guys in the process. Van Damme is not over the top here, however. He plays a darker character who displays believable emotion as a result of his surroundings. If you're a fan of time travel movies ala Back to the Future, The Butterfly Effect, The Time Machine, then Timecop should be right up your alley.
   
   Time travel will always be an interesting topic of conversation or subject of a major motion picture.



4. I'm not going to bore you with a plot synopsis you can get off the back of a box. If you like Van Damme you'll like this movie. It's not filled with mindless action, and the plot is strong enough to carry the the film. It comes off slightly goofy, but only because of the 1990's take on what the future would be like.
   
   If you are looking for some decent/classic Van Damme action check it out. For under $10 how disappointed could you really be?



5. In my opinion, this is Jean Claude Van Damme's best movie that he ever made. The plot is good and his acting is actually very good and somewhat believable. He also looks really great in this movie.

5 comments about Derailed [Region 2].

1. I hated this Van Damme movie. I own all his others but I could not bring myself to add this to my Van Damme collection. I found this to be a very bad movie with very low production values. There was nothing in this movie for me other than annoyance. Very poor direction, cheap and laughable special effects, particularly the exterior train sequences where the train looks like it is made of wood, illuminated with a light bulb from the inside and pulled along by a piece of string. Bad lighting, badly filmed, executed and edited martial arts and action sequences. Laughable acting performances from all including Van Damme. Very bad audio post production special effects to such an extent that at times you can't hear character dialogue. I got the impression that a lot of this was filmed in very low lighting conditions to hide the cheap sets and obvious poor special effects. Basically the movie is a cheap rip off version from a mix of Under Siege 2 with Steven Seagal and The Cassandra Crossing with the late Richard Harris. I would say to anyone thinking of buying this to go and rent it on the cheap first before splashing out your cash. You might be thankful you did.



2. There were so many things wrong with this movie. Featuring Jean Claude van Damme as agent Shaq (I think his name was Shaq...yeah that's right...I think...) who guards a woman who has stolen a powerful hybrid of small pox from the Slovakian government.
   
   By now you're thinking, "What?" Hang with me, we're not done yet.
   
   Shaq and the female thief catch a train heading to Germany. Shaq gets an unpleasant surprise when his American family happens to be on the same train to surprise him.
   
   You're probably blinking in astonishment. Hang on, I'm not even to the conflict yet.
   
   Unfortunately, terrorists hijack the train and put everyone in a room for hostages. Shaq handles the situation by crashing through a window, beating people up for five minutes then getting knocked out with one punch. Yes you read that right. Kicking people and windows are no problem, but a tap on the head, that's another matter.
   
   Shaq escapes and begins to take out the villains bit by bit. One fight scene in the automobile compartment involves Shaq riding a motorcycle out of the compartment, onto the TOP OF THE TRAIN while its STILL MOVING, then JUMPING onto A PASSING TRAIN and riding off that train ONTO THE GROUND and DRIVING AWAY FINE.
   
   No, don't stop reading the review, the movie's not done.
   
   Shaq gets back on the train and fights the last few villains while another train collides with his locomotive. You're probably thinking, "So there's a major train crash?" No, the train collides at the end of the train with the front untouched. Characters explain this as hitting the back of the train...which still doesn't make sense as the rear of the train is connected to the REST of the train. But a friend and I came up with our own theory. You see, the front of the train was going so fast at the moment it was transported to another dimension. Hence only the rear was affected, while the front came by unscathed.
   
   Besides the fact its basically a rip-off of "Under Siege 2" which was "Die Hard" on a train (ripping off a rip-off, how does that work?) this movie will either have you shaking your head in confusion or going for the headache pills from start to finish. The good news is this is one of those bad movies you can make fun of, as opposed to those that make you feel dumber by the minute. Between NATO headquarters being in Bonn to Shaq's wife telling the World Health Organization how to handle diseases like they wouldn't know, you'll find reason to laugh at this movie. Intentional or not.



3. I dont normally slate films but this one was asking for it so bad.
   OMG- It saddens me to think the director got paid for this.
   Please someone- write & direct a good film for Van Damme- he deserves better than this...



4. well for its budget this movie is very entertaining and a lot of action has some good fighting van damme is good lots of fun.



5. DERAILED
   
   I have always been a huge fan of Jean-Claude Van Damme; in fact I own every one of his films. So the other day I said to my self I should watch one of his films I hadn't seen in a while, "Derailed" was the one I went with. It was a wise choice because this is a very entreating movie, much better then I remembered. I still don't know which I think is better, this film with Van Damme or "Under Siege 2" with Steven Seagal which was also on a train.
   
   The story is about Jacques Kristoff who is hired to escort a woman named Galina Konstantin onto a train and get her across the border. Of course it wasn't that easy since she is carrying a bio weapon on board and some terrorists are after it. Of course in true Van Damme fashion he fights them all on board a speeding train. And to make things worse his family is on board and the virus breaks loose on all the passengers.
   
   Writer's Adam Gierasch, Jace Anderson, and writer producer Boaz Davidson have created a pretty good movie with plenty of action. Under the direction of Bob Misiorowski this film is actually a really good film, even my grandmother liked it. Also along side Boaz Davidson there is seven other producers including Avi Lerner, that is a lot of people producing one film. Of course what sets this apart from other similar films is Van Damme and his style of action, which is excellent and exciting. And of course Van Damme's performance is great as is the rest of the cast. Laura Harring does a good job as Galina who has the virus, and Tomas Arana as Mason Cole is excellent as the lead villain in this film. The rest of the cast is just as good, all the bad guys Van Damme's family [including real life son], and train passengers are amazing in their supporting roles.
   
   This is a very good movie for a boring day at home when you just want to relax. This isn't the best Van Damme film ever but it isn't the worst either. I recommend this film to any body reading this.

5 comments about Universal Soldier.

1. Universal Soldier DVD
   
   It all began in the jungles of Vietnam. Two dead soldiers were rescued from death in a secret governmental program. Unfortunately some memories still linger. This movie pits Jean-Claude Van Dame against Dolph Lundgren. Who do you think will win?
   
   Recommended for fans of Jean-Claude Van Dame and Dolph Lundgren.
   
   Gunner April, 2008



2. Looking at it now, the film was pretty corny but it still is a scary thought! Not to get political but don't think someone in Washington, DC hasn't thought about doing what they did in this film!
   
   Back to the movie, it stars Jean Claude Van Damne and Dolph Lungren. For me, Dolph made this movie more than Van Damne! I actually found his character funny as well as sinister. Van Damne's character was definitely a straight shooter here.
   
   Overall, it has good action, a few cheesy moments but also a few memorable catch phrases (some of which I can't repeat here). It isn't the best movie for either action actor but its okay overall.



3. I said it then and I say it now, boys just want to have fun. Okay since when are guys not allowed to enjoy macho soldier movies? And ladies keep in mind when our toys are taken away yours will follow shortly thereafter. Sure this movie may not have any great acting, but actually the directing, costumes, sets, effects, and music aren't bad. Van Damme and Lundgren play soldiers that died in Viet Nam while fighting each other over killing a prisoner. The next thing you know it is thirty years later and they wake up in a special refrigeration truck with the latest in war toys and they are part of special unit designed to go in and perform miraculous fetes of physical endurance and prowess. You know, run down dams and things so they can rescue hostages. Probably why most guys enjoy this still. This is actually probably at the top of the heap of movies made by Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren. Although I must admit I love "Timecop" and "I Come in Peace". I actually cracked up when they commented on Van Damme's accent in the movie and asked if he was French. So it goes to show they even had a sense of humor. If you like action packed without alot of redeeming societal morality and political correctness then welcome to fun time with macho men fighting, shooting lots of bullets, and blowing things up. Great quality DVD with some special extras, decent replayability.



4. My husband loves this movie so for his birthday I got it for him. The DVD arrived quickly and was in great condition!



5. The Jean Claude Van Damme Review Matrix (JCVD-RM)
   
   1. Who is he? Luc Deveraux, former US soldier in Vietnam who, when killed by friendly fire, becomes part of a military medical equivalent to Frankenstein, the Universal Soldier (UniSol).
   2. Which family member/friend must be avenged? As a humanitarian soldier, Deveraux considered friendly Vietnamese his friends. It's just too bad his Sergeant didn't.
   3. Does he take his shirt off? It's probably because he's dead, but JCVD is shirtless in a faux cryogenic, stasis in bubbling water scenes stolen straight from comic books, as well as whenever the UniSols are back in the mobile lab or in a vat of ice. I'm sure the ice thing was written in specifically so he could take his shirt off.
   4. Does he have sex with a C-List actress? Thankfully he didn't...otherwise this movie would have involved necrophilia.
   5. Is there a tournament? There is no sanctioned tournament, just UniSols going about their mission.
   6. Is training needed for this tournament? Quoting the awesomeness of Stripes, "Aaaaarmy training, sir!" (Which is odd considering both movies are about ridiculous military situations)
   7. Does he do the splits in training or in the tournament? Even though it's not explicitly part of the plot, he nonetheless manages to form an upside-down "T" during a fight scene.
   8. Does he punch someone in the balls? Although it's slightly off camera, it appears JCVD delivers three solid punches to the jewels of Sergeant Scott (Lundgren). Given JCVD's propensity for nut-shots, it's safe to assume knuckle met scrotum.
   9. Does he do a series of flying or 360 kicks? Not only does he fulfill his normal helping of spin kicks, but he adds a few new versions into the mix.
   10. Is his enemy unbeatable? It sure seems that his enemy is unbeatable. In the final battle, Deveraux kicks Scott in the face five times in a row, and the only thing Scott does is laugh.
   11. Does he overcome an injury or other hindrance? Well, technically he's dead, and there's some sort of combination of UniSol injection and ice water bath requirement for keeping a soldier recharged, but otherwise he's good to go.
   12. Does he win? With the help of a wood chipper - and a final line of, "You're discharged, Sarge" - Deveraux literally tears Scott apart.
   
   With some great wire work in some fight scenes, and tons of head shot gun play, the action is top notch for this JCVD iteration. The plot is interesting enough to have spawned more than one sequel. And Dolph Lundren makes a solid appearance in the meeting B-action superstars. What's great is that both main characters are supposed to be resurrected cyborgs, and each of their respective robotic acting ability just happens to be perfect for the role. Nothing new here; just JCVD being awesome yet again.