Death Warrant (1990)

Entertainment Warrant

Jean-Claude Van Damme's martial arts extravaganza is bolstered by some fine editing, a dark, scary soundtrack, and some mighty fine camera work. Despite some B-level acting (except for Robert Guillaume as a supply doling inmate) director, Deran Sarafian, keeps the whole affair rolling along well enough to provide some key suspenseful moments. The plot involves police investigator, Louis Burke (Van Damme), who becomes a mole in prison while investigating a deadly crime ring while the elusive "Sandman" lurks in the background with nine-lives more reminiscent of Michael Myers than a super criminal. Although this element breaks up the film's credibility somewhat, it ups the tension as well. In the end 'Death Warrant' is a lively hour and a half movie that has enough going for it to make you forget its weaknesses.

A J.P.'s Pick 3's = Good October 12, 2008

Hey JCVD! Don't drop the soap!

The Jean Claude Van Damme Review Matrix (JCVD-RM)

1. Who is he? He's Detective Louis Burke, who goes undercover as a prisoner in a penitentiary with a lot of unexplained deaths.
2. Which family member/friend must be avenged? His partner was murdered by a maniac named Sandman.
3. Does he take his shirt off? Not only does the Sandman homoerotically remove Louis' shirt in the shower, but in the climactic final battle, Louis is pressed up against an iron furnace door. Naturally, this singes the shirt to smithereens, and Sandman kindly removes the rest. Sandman has clearly been in prison too long.
4. Does he have sex with a C-List actress? Unless there was a deleted scene with his cellmate, I don't think so.
5. Is there a tournament? As far as I'm concerned, being in general pop. at a penitentiary IS a tournament.
6. Is training needed for this tournament? The only training needed was in regards to a firm grip on the soap when showering.
7. Does he do the splits in training or in the tournament? Only in the shower room.
8. Does he punch someone in the balls? No. I don't think he wants to insinuate anything to the larger prisoners.
9. Does he do a series of flying or 360 kicks? There are approximately 78 spin kicks in this movie; Louis only receives about 3 of them.
10. Is his enemy unbeatable? He may be the most unstoppable force JCVD has ever met. Let's put it this way: Louis shoots the Sandman five times early in the movie, and the Sandman survives. Later, the Sandman gets kicked into a 1500 degree Celsius blast furnace, gets out, does a little stop-drop-and-roll, and is ready to fight some more.
11. Does he overcome an injury or other hindrance? Early in his fight with Sandman, Louis gets hit in the face with a two foot wrench. So, I guess that counts.
12. Does he win? After impaling the Sandman on a bolt sticking out of some piping, and getting taunted, Louis calmly walks over scrambles the Sandman's brains - just picture the process by which McFlurries are made at McDonald's and you have a good idea.

With grunting and mono-syllabic lines galore, the true genius of everyone's favorite Belgian homunculus is in full force with Death Warrant. Not only that, but the sound effects are incredibly trumped up for this one, with every kick and punch accompanying a swoosh through the air and finishing with a thud into raw meat. The "organ harvesting with the help of corrupt police"-angle is also an oddly interesting one for a JCVD movie. Overall, this isn't the best of his oeuvre, but it's got a few hardcore battles that will have you air-punching to get in on the action. This is solid JCVD gold. September 3, 2008

A good asskicking movie!

You know what this movie is about, a bunch of asskicking and one shirtless Van Damme. These are the type of movies you shouldn't take to serious.
July 14, 2008

NICE ACTION FLICK!!!

This movie is great! I rememeber seeing it when it first came out and its just vintage Van Damme with his fancy kicks! The story is ok. An undercover cop goes to jail to find out who is murdering the inmates! This is definitely a must for any fan of martial arts and action! August 9, 2007

at the height of his popularity

I want to go with 3 stars on this film, but some part of me says there is enough fun in Death Warrant to go with 4 stars. You can't expect more than a typical prison movie with this one - the crazy inmates, the corrupt guards, the big prison villain, and the undercover cop - played by Van Damme. Unlike the movies that Van Damme continues to make today, this is one of his older titles, which means a younger and more skilled Van Damme. Although there are not an abundance of fights in this film, Death Warrant displays the powerful moves of the great Van Damme we once knew.

Fun is the name of the game, although it weird to say the word "fun" when referring to a prison movie. Well, its the kind of fun entertainment that pits an undercover cop named Louis Burke into a prison, simply to investigate the numerous deaths that have been occuring there. We get to see hundreds of weird, insane, and crazy inmates - many of whom get a bit too close to Van Damme's face, thus creating your typical prison fights and what not. There are the usual corrupt guards as well, once again stirring up some havoc on the side. And then there's the one guy that forms an allegiance to help out our investigator, who is played by Robert Guillaume.

As usual, its all about the action. As mentioned, I had hoped for more fight scenes, but when there is one, boy they are tough and hard hitting. The best obviously is going to be the last fight of the movie, against a really weird guy named "The Sandman". He appears in the beginning of the film, and we assume he is killed by Burke. Closer to the end of the film, he is alive and well, and enters the prison, with his eyes set on Burke for revenge. Their fight is at least 5 minutes, and is accompanied by an audience of screaming inmates watching from all corners. Its an evenly matched fight, as both guys get to do some serious damage.

Death Warrant is probably one of my lesser favorites from the early Van Damme movies which include Bloodsport, Kickboxer, Lionheart, Double Impact and Hard Target. But compared to his more recent films, you won't find this kind of action in them. Pick it up to complete the classic Van Damme collection. Though the movie might be a bit cliche, its a chance to add some more great Van Damme action to the pot. July 19, 2007

More reviews at Amazon.com ...