Corcoran, John; Farkas, Emil (1988). Martial Arts: Traditions, History, People. New York City: Gallery Books. pp. 210, 393. ISBN 978-0-8317-5805-9. (Eku) Now here is a film built in a way that is so alien to the rest of an actor's filmography, that it almost feels artistic. This film is not only a spectacular display of talent from Van Damme, but also a well-made production as a whole. The film is visually stunning; making great use of camera work and lighting to create an almost eerie atmosphere. The film has the capacity to be dramatic, gritty, and wholesome in one sit-down; and that's something that most films can only hope to accomplish. So does this film have artistic merit? I would say so. There's definitely some artistic craft that goes into taking a horrible actor like Van Damme and making him an addicting and intoxicating character. You won't want to take your eyes or ears off Van Damme or his dialogue; which is more than enough reason to ponder this nice little movie. I enjoyed the film because it does not build itself like an action film; but rather a drama. There's an almost powerful tone to the movie; although it's never explored as thoroughly as I would have hoped. But overall, this is pretty great for Van Damme. For once, he's in a GOOD film. Unfortunately, this is somewhat of a "one-time star change" for Van Damme; considering that he went from this to "Universal Solider 2". But at least he has this film at all; some bad actors don't get moments like this. Look, if you like Van Damme, then see this. If you don't like him, then see it anyways. Don't go to the film assuming that it's going to lampoon the guy's career. Take my word for it and go for the ride; expecting nothing more or less than a sweet, affectionate take on an actor's life-style. It's accurate and never pretentious. I can totally live with that.

In 2007, Van Damme, alongside animal rights activists and retired French actress Brigitte Bardot, the Franco-American ice-skater Surya Bonaly and French singer Renaud, called for a ban on bullfighting in France. [103]a b Polowy, K. "'Bloodsport' at 35: How a desperate Jean-Claude Van Damme begged his way into the action film that made him a star", Yahoo! News, published February 24, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.

The muscles from Brussels - the story of Jean-Claude Van Damme | Worldation". Worldation. 9 October 2017 . Retrieved 9 April 2018. Jean-Claude Van Damme Talks about Kamsing Fight in May or June 2012". YouTube. 7 November 2011. Retrieved 3 April 2012 The film made its domestic home video debut on VHS on June 25, 1991, through MCA/Universal Home Video. [17] Jean-Claude Van Damme is a big Hollywood action star; generic, among other things. He's been living the life, as it would seem, for quite some time. However, when speaking of his personal life, things are rough. He is forbidden to see his young daughter for most of the time, and American isn't giving him the right kind of satisfaction. On top of that, his credit cards have stopped working, and now he's flat-broke. He decides to return to his home-town in hopes of finding himself once again, as well as escaping the torture of American culture, although finds himself in a whole new kind of mess. He goes to a bank so that he can get some cash, although ends up being thrown in the middle of a heist. Unfortunately, everyone on the outside of the Bank thinks he's the head of the heist plan, so whether he makes it out alive or not, he's in some deep shit. Most of the film finds Van Damme trying to cope with taking the blame for the criminal act, but what's fascinating here is not the plot; and it's not even what's going on. What I liked about this film was the character of Van Damme, and how slowly he realizes that life just isn't like the movies. Will he live through this ordeal? It's not up to me to decide. You need to see the movie for yourself, since there's a lot of good to be found. The film itself is very well-made, although without Van Damme's flawed career history, it wouldn't have been as good. However, I hope this doesn't inspire directors to make the same kind of movie for other poor actors. I mean, who wants to see GB: Gerard Butler? Nobody does, and that's why nobody should turn a movie like this into a trend. I hope to god that it remains at least somewhat unique. This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. ( January 2018) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message)

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In 1990 Van Damme starred in Death Warrant, the first script credit for David S. Goyer. Also that year he starred in Lionheart. [47] Lionheart was directed by Sheldon Lettich who had co-written Bloodsport, and said the film was "the first movie to demonstrate that Van Damme was more than just a flash-in-the-pan "Karate Guy" who would never rise above simplistic low-budget karate movies." [48] It also featured rear nudity from Van Damme which Lettich says "became a very memorable moment for the ladies in the audience, and for the gay guys as well. Showing off his butt (clothed or unclothed) almost became a signature trademark of his after that." [48] AWOL perhaps feels a bit at times like recording several generations down from the original, but for these initial films that put Van Damme in the limelight there is now denying the smarts on screen when it came to exposing and making the most of an underused art-form on screen at the time. Mostly, the direction is average, though Director Peter Malota does a nice job with the pacing. This slow to begin with but speeds up nicely when the action starts. There are a couple of sections where he slows it down to help the story and to give the viewers a breather.

The film has heart though as time is spent literally spelling out that he does this to support his family, and is in essence a no-monkey business innocent when it comes to loyalty and providing for a family. A lesson well learnt by his friend Joshua in the final fight when he decides to place the “wrong bet.”

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Jean-Claude Van Damme's breakthrough was this low budget live-action inspiration for Mortal Kombat - blisteringly basic but also remarkably effective. Bloodsport was released on VHS, selling 150,000 units by 1989. [4] Warner Brothers released a DVD of the film in the United States on October 1, 2002. [10] Reception [ edit ] Box office [ edit ] In 2020, Van Damme threatened to 'hurt' Australian arsonists responsible for the 2019–20 Australian bushfire season, and said it was painful watching the tragedy unfold from overseas, and claimed Australia did not deserve the devastating event. [108] White, James (22 June 2011). "Jean-Claude Van Damme Finds Six Bullets." Empire (film magazine). Retrieved 3 April 2014. A New Battle For Mankind Begins in 'Mortal Kombat' Tourney, Redo in the Works". 26 January 2010 . Retrieved 4 May 2012.

However, when Phil makes his move, he messes up and gets shot. After arriving at the hospital via an ambulance - why didn't the bad men finish him off... oops, thinking again. His gang mates turn up to finish the job. Not at all concerned about it being a public hospital. Van Damme and Hyams re-teamed for Universal' on Sudden Death released in 1995. Van Damme plays a French Canadian-born firefighter with the Pittsburgh Fire Bureau who suffered a personal crisis after he was unable to save a young girl from a house fire. Now removed from active duty, Darren has become demoted to being fire marshal for the Pittsburgh Civic Arena, where a gang of terrorists are holding U.S. Vice President and several other VIPs hostage in a luxury suite during a game. The movie was a modest success. [64] It's hard for me to judge people and it's hard for them... not to judge me. Easier to blame me. Yeah, something like that." a b Lionheart (Blu-ray). MVD Rewind. Pottstown: MVD Entertainment Group. June 12, 2018. UPC 0760137076483. Actor Jean-Claude Van Damme calls on Brussels parliament to ban unstunned slaughter". 13 June 2022.Van Damme worked for director John McTiernan for the film Predator (1987) as an early (eventually abandoned) version of the titular alien, before being removed and replaced by Kevin Peter Hall. [36] As the first choice to play the titular Predator character, with the intent that he would use his martial arts skills to make the alien an agile, ninja-like hunter, but after few days shot, he left the film. It was reported that Van Damme constantly complained about the monster suit being too hot and causing him to pass out; he allegedly also voiced reservations about only appearing on camera in the suit. Additionally, it became apparent that a more physically imposing actor was needed to make the creature appear threatening against the team of soldiers. The role eventually went to Kevin Peter Hall. [37] After Predator was a success, Van Damme said that he appreciated the movie and that he had no regrets about missing that role. Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition. London: Guinness World Records. 2008. ISBN 978-1-904994-21-3. Soet, John Steven (March 1990). "Jean-Claude van Damme". Inside Kung-Fu Presents: Martial Artists One on One. pp.16–25. Broeske, Pat H. (1991-01-14). "Home Alone in 9th Week as No. 1 Film: Movies: 'Godfather Part III' takes dramatic slide from second to sixth place in its third week out. 'Awakenings' is in second". The Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 2012-11-04 . Retrieved 2011-01-01. a b c d e f g h i j k l Danna, Corey (23 July 2022). Sheldon Lettich: From Vietnam to Van Damme. Orlando: Bear Manor. pp.228–231. ISBN 978-1629339887.