Kickboxer

Kickboxer (1989)

Runtime: 97 minutes

Directed by: Mark DiSalle/David Worth

Starring: JCVD, Dennis Chan, Michel Qissi, Haskell V. Anderson III, Dennis Alexio

From: Kings Road Entertainment

Featuring a five star scene.

Yes, I do have free time now as my sister and her beau are in Daytona Beach from now until tomorrow afternoon. Thus, expect reviews today and tomorrow. The explanation for my reviewing this cheesy late 80’s action classic… you guessed it, messageboard discussion. Someone recently noted that they found it amusing how much of a jerk Van Damme’s brother was in this.*

Yeah, he was a “swelled head” who was a cocky American and presumed that just because he held a kickboxing title it meant that he could whip the champion Muay Thai kickboxing champion (Tong Po) in Bangkok despite apparently not knowing much about the rules of Muay Thai. Then again, that was the key plot point; because JCVD trained with an eccentric master who lives out in the sticks and harshly yet effectively trained him, he could fare better against Tong Po in the finale.

Admittedly, I question if the whole “broken glass” thing was part of “the ancient way”, but ultimately this is a silly motion picture where among other things, it is less than 15 minutes before the Tong Po vs. JCVD’s brother bout happens and because Po’s manager is an evil SOB, the brother is crippled on purpose. So is the convenience of a wacky ex-Special Forces American who helps Van Damme.

To Kickboxer’s credit, plenty of time is spent on training so it was satisfying to view the character improve by working hard. All that duly noted, I was still as entertained by this schlock as I was when this was first viewed during my childhood. JCVD’s charisma certainly is an asset, as is the unique beauty which Thailand offers.

However, as it should come as no surprise, it was the astoundingly 80’s soundtrack (courtesy of Paul Hertzog) which was the highlight. It screamed “the decade of excess” so it was always an aural delight. As for the “five star scene”, of course I refer to Van Damme presenting his version of Drunken Fist as he also dances in an epic fashion with his trainer’s cute niece and another Thai lady as the Beau Williams song Feeling So Good Today is literally blaring on a jukebox.

Thus, it was a relief that despite its narrative flaws, I could still be amused by this film. Note that the amusement does apply to how the brother by all appearances got himself a Thai hooker as soon as he could but does NOT apply to the gross sexual assault that is shown. In fact, this was released by Golan/Globus, how could you tell?

* Played by real life kickboxer turned actor (for a brief time) Dennis Alexio, it took a Letterboxd mutual's comment for me to discover that he has been in prison for years due to... such crimes as bank fraud, wire fraud and money laundering!