Lionheart (1991)

Van Damme in a tear jerker!

I thought this was a pretty good movie. Great fight scenes, some corny little emotional moments, but definitely recommended for Van Damme fans! August 20, 2008

Lionheart!

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! June 28, 2008

Bloodsport, IN A POOL!

It's unreal how talented Jean Claude Van Damme (JCVD) is at making this type of movie. While incredibly corny, somehow the entertainment value isn't lessened. If it were anyone other than JCVD, I think that the movie would be much worse. It's almost as if his poor acting ability and general monotony makes this type of movie better. JCVD is like epicac; under normal circumstances, it's not a great idea to chug a bottle, but when mixed with the consumption of something sure to turn your stomach otherwise, it's the perfect fit to make everything feel better.

Leone (JCVD) escapes from the French foreign legion in Africa after finding out his broher is ill and being denied leave. What he finds is that his brother is dead and has left a sister-in-law and niece in LA. In little time at all, he realizes that he is worthless in America without cash to help out his relatives. Somehow he makes is way to the underground fight game, where he takes on a guy who appears to be homeless as his trainer. On top of that, it just so happens that this bum is associated with some very high-profile fight fans who stage various elaborate fights for their wealthy friends.

It's classic JCVD, with every punch and kick telegraphed from a mile away, and with an extra scream-pause-flex after each successful blow. In the final battle, Leone must battle a huge man named Atilla, a man clearly thawed after thousands of years of being entrapped in a block of ice while modeling as the one-step-to-the-left guy on the Evolutionary chart. Oh, and I can't say for sure, but I'm fairly sure JCVD does the splits in this one.

Turn your brain off and enjoy some quintessential JCVD! June 28, 2008

Buyer Beware! No widescreen version - Bad Video Quality

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. May 23, 2008

Van Damne's Best Acting Effort

Let me say right off that Jean Claude Van Damne isn't a great actor nor a credible looking fighter. That being said, this is easily his best effort on both fronts.

Here he plays Lyon, a solider in the Foreign Legion who learns that his brother in America was killed in a drug deal gone bad. He left behind an estranged wife and a little girl who is in desperate need. Wanting to help, he escapes the Legion and secretly gives her money through winnings he gets from various illegal underground fights.

Let me say that this story has a lot of heart (no pun intended) for an R rated film. While there is language in it, the family element in the movie is unmistakable. It would ALMOST be apporpriate for family viewing if not for the language as the violence is kept to a minium until the final fight. There is some suggestive sexuality in it but that, also, is kept very brief.

Overall, this is worth a view for older teens to adults. Unless you see it on TV or find an edited version of it, I would not recommended it for young viewers.

That all being said, its one of Van Damne's finest movies. April 15, 2008

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