MAY CONTAIN MINOR SPOILERS (i wasn't sure it could be seen as it, so i clicked the box to avoid any sanction by IMDB)
I will admit i was surprised to see this movie getting so much high reviews on IMDB. I always been a fan of JCVD and usually i can cope with Direct to DVD/VOD stuff and still be satisfied, as long as the story is interesting and the action is good, even if low budget. But this one was the least satisfying in the last 10 years to me, even less than Lukas .
This movie has a good premise, but the actual story itself is nothing great. I will give props to the actors who did a great job in my opinion, especially the guy portraying the gang leader, but sadly thats one of the few praise i can give this movie. Its low budget i get it, so they couldn't do a lot and the movie had to be told on a smaller scale but not much happen.
First of all Van Damme decide to once again plays a "down on his luck, wrecked by life, depress character" in a dark gritty movie like he does in almost all his recent movies exept Ennemies Closer and Welcome to the Jungle. Only this time, the character can't even speak due to an injury from his past. This play very little part in the story so it feel completely unnecessary.
There is barely any action and i think this is where it bothered me the most. You look at the cover and you expect Van Damme taking on the MS-13, that there is gonna be plenty of fights and everything. But nop... I don't even recall Van Damme giving one kick in the whole movie. He has barely one fight and its super lame.
Maybe i am typecasting him too much but when an actor has been known for action roles (especially fights) the majority of his career, and looking at the premise of the movie, and the trailer too, that was what i was expecting.
The last 2 movies i watched of Van Damme, this and Lukas, have really bored me. There was a time , yes even in the direct to dvd era, that i was really looking forward to his new movies. Some have been really cool. Maybe he want to do different stuff, more drama, now that he is older, wich is guess his fine if its what he want. But for me watching a new Van Damme flick on friday night meant seeing an ass-kicking on screen while drinking a few beers.
I will admit i was surprised to see this movie getting so much high reviews on IMDB. I always been a fan of JCVD and usually i can cope with Direct to DVD/VOD stuff and still be satisfied, as long as the story is interesting and the action is good, even if low budget. But this one was the least satisfying in the last 10 years to me, even less than Lukas .
This movie has a good premise, but the actual story itself is nothing great. I will give props to the actors who did a great job in my opinion, especially the guy portraying the gang leader, but sadly thats one of the few praise i can give this movie. Its low budget i get it, so they couldn't do a lot and the movie had to be told on a smaller scale but not much happen.
First of all Van Damme decide to once again plays a "down on his luck, wrecked by life, depress character" in a dark gritty movie like he does in almost all his recent movies exept Ennemies Closer and Welcome to the Jungle. Only this time, the character can't even speak due to an injury from his past. This play very little part in the story so it feel completely unnecessary.
There is barely any action and i think this is where it bothered me the most. You look at the cover and you expect Van Damme taking on the MS-13, that there is gonna be plenty of fights and everything. But nop... I don't even recall Van Damme giving one kick in the whole movie. He has barely one fight and its super lame.
Maybe i am typecasting him too much but when an actor has been known for action roles (especially fights) the majority of his career, and looking at the premise of the movie, and the trailer too, that was what i was expecting.
The last 2 movies i watched of Van Damme, this and Lukas, have really bored me. There was a time , yes even in the direct to dvd era, that i was really looking forward to his new movies. Some have been really cool. Maybe he want to do different stuff, more drama, now that he is older, wich is guess his fine if its what he want. But for me watching a new Van Damme flick on friday night meant seeing an ass-kicking on screen while drinking a few beers.