Kickboxer (1989)

Jean-Claude Van Damme will never be confused for anything other than what he is: a martial arts actor whose acting abilities are less important than his high-kicking ones. This is not a bad thing either. He is probably one of the two or three best action stars now working, and his legions of fans appreciate his style. In KICKBOXER, he reveals in one movie the best and worst of what he is capable. He plays Sloan, an American fighter whose brother is crippled by the savagery of the Thai champion, Tong Po, played by Van Damme's real life friend Michel Quissi, who stars in many of his other films. What the viewer sees is your basic get-revenge-on-the-dude-who-hurt-my-brother movie.

Van Damme closes with s stirring victory over a very tough and, in his own way, a colorful foe. Van Damme's strengths include his good looks, athletic ability, martial arts expertise, and even some boog-a-looing disco dancing. What he adds to this is a sense to the audience of breathless expectation. By simply looking at him undergo the bone-breaking training imposed on him by his Wise Old Master, the viewer can just for that moment put himself on the screen, absorbing the same beating. Even in his first films, when he played the bad guy, the audience knew that any victory the hero achieved over him was dictated only by the script. In KICKBOXER, Van Damme begins what for him proves a winning trend: he needs a worthy opponent to make the movie resonate. In KICKBOXER, Michel Quissi, who is no Asian at all, puts on makeup to simulate the epicanthic eyefolds and shaves his head to produce one mean-looking man. One of the most effective uses of a heavy that I have ever seen in any martial arts film is directors Mark DiSalle and David Worth's decision to introduce Tong Po not by sight but by sound. Van Damme hears a strange pounding and when he investigates by following the noise, almost as if he were a human geiger counter, he sees Tong Po kicking a concrete pillar hard enough to shake dust. The latent fear in his eyes connects viscerally to the audience. This scene in which Van Damme shows hesitation is one of his best, but he rarely exhibits this less than heroic temperament in future films. The down side to KICKBOXER is generic to the genre. It is simply not possible for him to absorb such bone-crunching punishment and bounce up off the mat to fight on and win. But his ability to do so is probably part of the myth and mystique that marks such fight movies. Does anyone really want to peek into the magician's hat to see where the dove comes from?

Ive always loved VanDamme movies, but in HD they're even better. I really didnt expect much from this bluray version, but when i put it in to watch, my jaw dropped. It is so clear!

Most likely, you have already seen this movie and you just want to know how the bluray quality is. This movie is better with bluray because the setting in bangkok is full of art and nature, and it really shows thru in this movie. Closeups are super sharp.

there are one or two scenes where the master video wasn't best quality...like the first hospital scene, you can see the pops and dirt on the film... this problem must have been unavoidable...

Finally, buy this bluray!

Buy Kickboxer (1989) Now

This presentation is fantastic, both PQ and AQ is outstanding. Thank you Lions Gate. There is no extras available but if you like Jean Claude Van Damme's earlier movie then buy this.

Read Best Reviews of Kickboxer (1989) Here

Back in the 80s, this one was one my top movies!!!! Along with Karate Kid, The Dragon : Bruce Lee's Story and best of the best. All inspired me to become a martial arts expert. Which I have used for over 7 years! I can seriously say I have watch this movie over 100 times, before going to tae kwon do and afterwards. Trying to perfect my form, all show off movies. Nothing too powerful, but it looks amazing in demos for karate schools. You will truly fall in love with this movie!! RENT/WATCH IT/OWN IT!!!

*why does van damm always have to reveal his rear end in almost every film he makes??

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I searched for years to find this movie on dvd, and now its on bluray, its even better. Sure its a little corny at times, but what 80s movie isn't. This could be the best combat movie ever made.

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