Ahoy, squirts! Quint here with a review of the Jean-Claude Van Damme tongue-in-cheek starring vehicle out of the Vancouver International Film Festival. This is one of the titles coming up in my Fantastic Fest catch-up, so look for my thoughts on this flick in the coming week. Here's DarwinMayflower with his thoughts!
When I first saw the trailer to this film I was basically hooked. Thinking that it will be the ultimate parody of JCVD played by none other than the man himself JCVD I had to see it regardless of whether it was actually a comedy or a valiant effort to be a comedy about him. As with many other people lucky enough to have seen this, I agree that this is one Van Damme's best films. As many of you have already probably read from other reviewers it's more serious because of the reflection that Van Damme has of his own lot in life and the characters he plays. The opening sequence mixes the old with the new having a 10 minute uncut sequence of Van Damme filming a scene in a battlefield. Even if you aren't a Van Damme connoisseur you recognize the action film cliches that summarizes the 80's and 90's action film. He fights badguys one on one, taking their weapons and using them against them. He fights the huge behemoth of a thug with superior techniques. A flame thrower even makes an appearance as well with a man getting caught on fire. This sequence as well with the custody hearing basically sets the entire tone for the film. Showing how ridiculous Van Damme's movie life is compared to the real world. This is a film that treads the line between parody and self reflective drama so well that you can take the film in either context and still enjoy it as much as the other choice. The hostage situation hardly feels fake at times. It draws you in so much that you wonder if you're watching a movie or security camera footage. It's in creating this reality that it feels that Van Damme has more to lose; that one of his main antagonists sporting a ridiculous skullet and typical thug action film outfit is far more dangerous than any other villain he had to face in film for the past decade or so. This isn't some movie murderer, this is a real life psychopath. It's because of the illusion of this reality that makes these villains, even the lighthearted ones, feel more dangerous. From a soundtrack that is totally inappropriate for more tense situations inside the post office (imagine cheesy 80's showdown music with a dead serious moment in the film), to now famous monologue to the audience, you can either walk away with a tear in your eye or a chuckle in you belly because it's acted so well it could fall either way. There are moments where we see and hear about the troubles and crap that Van Damme has to go through in his parallel real life, but it isn't preachy. There's never an instance where you feel the need to blame Hollywood, society, the media, his fans or even himself. It isn't necessarily a summary of his life but more a result of his own actions. At it's core it's a film about honesty and showing that honesty through all the garbage we have to filter through. I read in a newspaper that the director wouldn't let any of Van Damme's entourage on the set during filming to keep all that 'nonense' at the door. Thankfully in getting rid of that to film a movie about that said nonsense it resulted in Van Damme's best performances in a totally different league of acting. Whether you still are a fan of Van Damme, only a fan of his early stuff or just like laughing at him while he's down and out; anyone (and I do mean anyone) who's familiar with his downward spiral into washed up action star can appreciate this film. JCVD is either a super subtle parody or beautifully acted docudrama; regardless you'll still love it. If you use this review you can call me DarwinMayflower
