| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Jean-Claude Van Damme | ... |
Frank Dux
(as Jean Claude Van Damme)
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| Donald Gibb | ... | ||
| Leah Ayres | ... | ||
| Norman Burton | ... | ||
| Forest Whitaker | ... | ||
| Roy Chiao | ... | ||
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Philip Chan | ... |
Captain Chen
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Pierre Rafini | ... | |
| Bolo Yeung | ... | ||
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Ken Siu | ... |
Victor Lin
(as Kenneth Siu)
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Kimo Lai Kwok Ki | ... | |
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Bernard Mariano | ... | |
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Bill Yuen Ping Kuen | ... |
Oshima
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Lily Leung | ... |
Mrs. Tanaka
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Joshua Schroder | ... |
Chuck /
Older Boy
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Frank Dux has spent most his life being trained by Tanaka to participate in the Kumite, the ultimate martial arts tournament, where participants are seriously injured, even killed. Frank decides to go despite being told by his superiors in the army that he can't because they need him. Two army officers are sent to get him and the trail leads to Hong Kong but Frank eludes them. While Frank advances, he knows that he may have to face Chong Li, the defending champion, who has killed a few participants. Written by [email protected]
Being a film watcher that looks for great acting, i surprised myself when i enjoyed this film.
Being more a film fan than a martial arts fan i was expecting to be writing a bad review for this flick. No one can deny that van damme is a great martial artist, but his acting is so so the opposite.
You have to look at it as a martial arts film (which it is) and accept the stunning fight sequences (especially the final fight scene which was very well choreographed) the film offers.
Yes, people will talk about how bad his acting may be, but what people forget is that he is a martial artist more than an actor. Movies are just the way he can express his great skills to an audience.
I recommend this film to any martial arts fan but not so much to anyone looking for a compelling dramatic, mystical thriller because you will be disappointed.
On all it's a basic, pure, martial arts film that i feel is underrated.