I was very pleased to see the many positive comments posted about this movie. Hopefully, some of these reviews will help those who have any reservations about seeing Van Damme's films give it a look. Yesterday, when I rented it, even the Blockbuster manager quipped, "Let me know if that one's any good. I used to like Van Damme, but have been disappointed in a lot of his films." I am happy to say that this movie is definitely not a disappointment.
UNTIL DEATH is not a modern day chop-socky muscle man movie. It is an intense, violent, character driven cop/crime thriller. Van Damme is no longer the pretty boy muscle head of Bloodsport. In fact, the first time his character appeared on screen in this one, the person sitting next to me blurted out, "He looks like sh*t!" Yes, he does. His complexion is pasty, pale, haggard and sweaty, but if you watch the movie, there's a reason for this "make-up". His character is not your typical television show narcotics agent. This officer is a drug addict, a womanizer, and a turncoat. He's hated alike by pushers, dealers, prostitutes, his estranged wife, and even his fellow officers. His life is a mess, and his face and behavior show it. Still, he was a good cop at one time, and as the film progresses, he is given numerous chances at redemption.
Van Damme is moving more and more away from making dumb action hero movies where his muscle man persona gets beat up and then miraculously wins fights later simply by yelling, "Come on!," and making mad faces. Even though his recent movies are dismissed by some immediately because they are straight to DVD fare, this is exactly why his movies have been progressing. He has a strong fan base and can still guarantee certain returns for his producers. At the same time, since less money is on the line as far as box office returns, he can experiment with movies that have more depth and artistic merit. If you liked WAKE OF DEATH, then UNTIL DEATH will be right up your alley. I personally think, it's his best film since that one. To give you a gage on the types of Van Damme movies I like, I rank UNTIL DEATH, WAKE OF DEATH, MAXIMUM RISK, UNIVERSAL SOLDIER and DEATH WARRANT up at the top.
UNTIL DEATH is not a modern day chop-socky muscle man movie. It is an intense, violent, character driven cop/crime thriller. Van Damme is no longer the pretty boy muscle head of Bloodsport. In fact, the first time his character appeared on screen in this one, the person sitting next to me blurted out, "He looks like sh*t!" Yes, he does. His complexion is pasty, pale, haggard and sweaty, but if you watch the movie, there's a reason for this "make-up". His character is not your typical television show narcotics agent. This officer is a drug addict, a womanizer, and a turncoat. He's hated alike by pushers, dealers, prostitutes, his estranged wife, and even his fellow officers. His life is a mess, and his face and behavior show it. Still, he was a good cop at one time, and as the film progresses, he is given numerous chances at redemption.
Van Damme is moving more and more away from making dumb action hero movies where his muscle man persona gets beat up and then miraculously wins fights later simply by yelling, "Come on!," and making mad faces. Even though his recent movies are dismissed by some immediately because they are straight to DVD fare, this is exactly why his movies have been progressing. He has a strong fan base and can still guarantee certain returns for his producers. At the same time, since less money is on the line as far as box office returns, he can experiment with movies that have more depth and artistic merit. If you liked WAKE OF DEATH, then UNTIL DEATH will be right up your alley. I personally think, it's his best film since that one. To give you a gage on the types of Van Damme movies I like, I rank UNTIL DEATH, WAKE OF DEATH, MAXIMUM RISK, UNIVERSAL SOLDIER and DEATH WARRANT up at the top.