Ninjutsu trained American, Frank Dux, leaves home for Hong Kong in order to be a part of the controversial Martial-Arts Tournament called the Kumite. The Kumite is a freeform, illegal, and extremely dangerous underground fighting tournament that occasionally turns deadly. Bloodsport is supposedly based on true events from the actual Frank Dux's life. Bloodsport is considered by many to be Jean-Claude Van Damme's best film as well as the film that paved the way for his international fame and cult status among martial-arts and action film fans. The fight coordinator for the film was the actual Frank Dux himself, who even allegedly took the time to put Jean-Claude Van Damme through three months worth of training in order for him to be extra prepared for the role despite the fact that Van Damme was already a championed martial-artist. Bloodsport is considered one of the biggest cult classics of the 80s.
It's no surprise to me why this film is hailed so much as a martial-arts classic. While I can't say that it is quite as spectacular as... say, for example, Enter the Dragon, I still cannot deny this film's magnificence. This really is an amazing action film. Granted, it is silly at times, but if you are looking for a raw, brutal, bloody, and intense fight film, this really is one of the best that there is. The fight scenes here are some of the tightest and most jaw dropping fight scenes of it's kind. Jean-Claude Van Damme himself is a sight to behold. His kicks and splits are simply out of this world. If you haven't seen them, you simply must. It's a necessity. I can easily say that it is easily one of his most charismatic and he does go all the way with it when the time comes. His screen presence is one of the most memorable things about this film, but just as amazing this time is Sammo Hung as Frank Dux's rivaling warrior. Hung is a real beast of a man in here, and what I was impressed by was how Van Damme was able to visually convey the same sort of power as he despite the fact that he looks smaller and skinnier than Sammo Hung. Again, it's the kicks and the splits that do it, though his body does look like it's in excellent shape. I think this helped me get even more involved in the more vicious fight scenes in the film.
The screenplay here is actually not too bad, especially considering the genre. We have some fairly decently fleshed out characters here and some very quick, but efficient, character development. A lot of these moments feel a lot more genuine that most are probably expecting, and this only helps the film feel more realistic. At times, Bloodsport felt borderline documentary-like in it's look and in it's approach to the fight scenes. The film actually has a lot of ground to cover in telling the life story of Frank Dux, and the whole film flows beautifully. The setting, the characters, and the things that happen to the characters all feel realistic enough. You feel like you are there. The look of the film only adds to it. It's grainy, yet colorful. Ugly, yet bright. Dull, yet saturated. The music in this picture is phenomenal and it adds so much to the fight scenes. Also hats off to Van Damme for not only convincing studio executives to allow him to reedit the film, but also convincing them to actually release. It may not have made any money, and Newt Arnold may be passed away, but this film will carry on both he and Van Damme's legacy.
It's not my favorite Van Damme film, believe it or not, but it is truly a masterpiece of it's genre. This film is amazing and it has everything that you want to see in a film like this. Bloodsport is entertaining from start to finish. I think what makes this one especially good is the fact that I can recommend it to anyone, even those who aren't fans of Jean-Claude Van Damme. The fight scenes are easily the best part. They are brutal and wonderfully pulled off. Van Damme gives a rather charismatic performance that only helped enhance my appreciation of this film. Bloodsport is a great film. Check it out!
It's no surprise to me why this film is hailed so much as a martial-arts classic. While I can't say that it is quite as spectacular as... say, for example, Enter the Dragon, I still cannot deny this film's magnificence. This really is an amazing action film. Granted, it is silly at times, but if you are looking for a raw, brutal, bloody, and intense fight film, this really is one of the best that there is. The fight scenes here are some of the tightest and most jaw dropping fight scenes of it's kind. Jean-Claude Van Damme himself is a sight to behold. His kicks and splits are simply out of this world. If you haven't seen them, you simply must. It's a necessity. I can easily say that it is easily one of his most charismatic and he does go all the way with it when the time comes. His screen presence is one of the most memorable things about this film, but just as amazing this time is Sammo Hung as Frank Dux's rivaling warrior. Hung is a real beast of a man in here, and what I was impressed by was how Van Damme was able to visually convey the same sort of power as he despite the fact that he looks smaller and skinnier than Sammo Hung. Again, it's the kicks and the splits that do it, though his body does look like it's in excellent shape. I think this helped me get even more involved in the more vicious fight scenes in the film.
The screenplay here is actually not too bad, especially considering the genre. We have some fairly decently fleshed out characters here and some very quick, but efficient, character development. A lot of these moments feel a lot more genuine that most are probably expecting, and this only helps the film feel more realistic. At times, Bloodsport felt borderline documentary-like in it's look and in it's approach to the fight scenes. The film actually has a lot of ground to cover in telling the life story of Frank Dux, and the whole film flows beautifully. The setting, the characters, and the things that happen to the characters all feel realistic enough. You feel like you are there. The look of the film only adds to it. It's grainy, yet colorful. Ugly, yet bright. Dull, yet saturated. The music in this picture is phenomenal and it adds so much to the fight scenes. Also hats off to Van Damme for not only convincing studio executives to allow him to reedit the film, but also convincing them to actually release. It may not have made any money, and Newt Arnold may be passed away, but this film will carry on both he and Van Damme's legacy.
It's not my favorite Van Damme film, believe it or not, but it is truly a masterpiece of it's genre. This film is amazing and it has everything that you want to see in a film like this. Bloodsport is entertaining from start to finish. I think what makes this one especially good is the fact that I can recommend it to anyone, even those who aren't fans of Jean-Claude Van Damme. The fight scenes are easily the best part. They are brutal and wonderfully pulled off. Van Damme gives a rather charismatic performance that only helped enhance my appreciation of this film. Bloodsport is a great film. Check it out!