I discovered Jean-Claude Van Damme just recently. In fact I watched my first Van Damme film this summer (Universal Soldier), and I was blown away. Thus, I have begun to buy as many Van Damme films I can find. Though he is not really an excellent actor, he is good at making the audience root for him. No matter how ridiculous his acting gets at time, you can't help but be on his side. At this point, I have watched Universal Solider, Universal Solider: Regeneration, JCVD, Kickboxer, and Replicant. When I found out that Bloodsport and Timecop would be put in the same Blu-ray for the very affordable price of 20 bucks, I pounced. I was not dissapointed. Bloodsport is Van Dammes' breakthrough film. It is the story of Frank Dux participating in the Kumite, while this story has by all means been debunked and Dux has been ousted as a fraud and a liar, this movie continues to be one of Van Damme's best performances. Timecop is the real gem here though. Out of all the Van Damme films I've seen, Timecop is one of the most enjoyable. I absolutely loved the movie and the sillines of it all. You should be warned that this a bare-bones release of both films and the quality of the movies is quite impressive. If you are a Van Damme fan, buy this set. It is completely worth the money.
Bloodsport is arguably Jean Claude Van Damme's greatest martial arts film. Is it because of the amazing action? Not really? Deep and involved story? No. None of that here. Fantastic acting? Now you're making me giggle. Bloodsport hit a moment in time when martial arts movies were on the upswing and put out a kind of film that transcends your conventional concepts of what to find in a fighting film. In a very real way this helps negate the lack of a real plot or compelling character acting.
So what makes Bloodsport the exception to the rule? In a word: tournament. This is movie at its heart is all about a martial arts tournament. Sure there is a notoriously evil villain and a manhunt by the military. Sure there is a love interest and tragedy among friends, but all of that is really either just window dressing or distraction from the real reason the movie rocks. What you get in Bloodsport is the showcasing of martial arts from all over the world. Different styles going toe to toe against each other in a winner takes all full contact competition. Not since Bruce Lee's Game of Death has a movie taken the time to show varying forms of fighting.
You get to see martial arts styles in action like Kung Fu, kickboxing, wrestling, Muay Thai, Jeet Kune Do, Karate, Judo, Tae Kwon Do, street brawl and some I have never seen before. You get to see them all in the ring. Some all too briefly, but considering the sheer amount of various forms you can forgive that. You of course also get to see Van Damme doing his signature helicopter kicks, full splits and other moves I haven't seen him do on any other movie. This is also the movie that inspired Johnny Cage's signature non-fatality move in the original Mortal Kombat video game.
The acting is B-movie. Van Damme sometimes gives a good performance and other times overacts. Other actors offer varying performances. Donald Gibb, who plays Van Damme's street tough buddy, seems to enjoy his role and plays it with a slight wink and nod. Norman Burton and Forest Whittaker as the military police make a good ensemble performance. But lets face it. Most of these guys are not actors. They are fight choreographers, martial artists and stunt men. Besides you aren't here to see Shakespeare. You're here to see Bolo Yeung tussle in the ring (and did you know he was like 49 when he did this film?!? I wished I looked half that healthy years younger).
Now this is a Blu-Ray release so how does it look? Well... it's better than any previous release. You get a level of clarity that I don't even remember when I saw it in theaters. That being said it's still a VERY grain-ridden film. If you did screen caps of the movie it wouldn't even look like good standard definition close up. I don't know if this is because the movie was done on a small budget, thus wasn't using the best film (maybe it was shot in 16mm instead of 35mm?) or because nobody bothered to get the original negatives and do an honest restoration. Either way this movie will never hold up to other Blu-Rays. Heck it may not even hold up to newer movies in standard definition upscaled.
Audio is clear and in stereo, but that's about it. Nothing to scream about here. Then again this movie's montage-laden power songs sounded a little dated even back when it was first released in 1988. I swear those songs were stuck in 1985. So yea the soundtrack is a product of the time, but in a low budget movie sort of way it works.
I hear the movie's budget was just over a million dollars, and according to Box Office Mojo it made almost $12 million in the box office. Doesn't sound like much, but it's a ten fold return on investment.
Timecop I haven't seen yet on this disk and the last time I did see it was back in the theaters. I don't remember it all too well, but I do recall it was a cool enough concept. Imagine criminals that go to the past with modern weapons to steal. That's the general idea of the movie. I recall it was one of Van Damme's best acting performances to date. Special effect go from pretty good to over the top on the CG end. I will put more once I actually watch the thing.
From what I see there are absolutely no extra features on either disk. You get the films in English and French audio with the same in subtitles (plus Spanish subtitles). That's it. Bottom line if you want the best looking Bloodsport or Timecop video this is it, but don't expect anything else.
Buy Bloodsport / Timecop (Action Double Feature) (2010) Now
I am not going to review the films themselves rather how they look and sound on blu-ray.BLOODSPORT:being the older and cheaper of the two films you would expect it to have the worst video and audio and it has.The picture is fine though compared to dvd,could it be better,yes,but for the price i paid i don't think so.The audio in my opinion is worse than the video(i know its only DTS-HD 2.0)but i still had to adjust my system(which isn't the greatest i will admit)a lot to get the best sound possible.
TIMECOP:the audio(5.1 DTS-HD) and video are good,easily way better than the dvd.The picture is really good thru out and it holds up well even with the more modern CGI effects.The opening scene in particular is excellent.
I don't own either film on dvd but i have seen them a couple of times on dvd.
So for 12/13 dollars they are worth getting especially if you are a JVC fan.
Read Best Reviews of Bloodsport / Timecop (Action Double Feature) (2010) Here
You're either a Van Damne fan or you're not...there's no in-between. If you are you're interested in the blu-ray transfer. Very good. Sound is definitely improved. Picture is excellent on both (I didn't notice discernable difference between the two films).Proper aspect ratio on both. I recommend for fans...and if you're not a fan...these might make you one.
Want Bloodsport / Timecop (Action Double Feature) (2010) Discount?
I think the Bluray looks good. Anyone who thinks too much into this stuff needs a life. Van Damme is bad ass as usual and never gets enough credit.Save 37% Off
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