Knock Off (1998)

Legend says there are only 36 people who will truly ever love this movie. I'm one. . .are you?

This is my all time favorite in the Van Damme library. The first time I saw it in the theater I wasn't really into it. But it wasn't because the movie was poor. My tastes simply hadn't evolved to the point where I could truly appreciate what this film is (I'm serious).

This is a great role for the man. Finally he gets to play against type and do a cocky, fun-loving, anti-hero. His character kinda makes me feel like this is what it would be like to hang with the guy in real life.

Tsui Hark brings a new visual dynamic to a VD movie that wasn't there in previous VD films. Hark is so good that he makes me cool with Rob Schneider, whom I have never been able to stand with the exception of some SNL skits. That right there makes it solid.

Hark also pushed Van Damme to expand into some more physical action, not just punching and kicking. You really only see him do this in Hard Target and Double Team (of course, a Woo film and another Hark film). HK director's know how to make the stars get physical outside the realm of just taking swings at other guys.

VD is cool and confident in this role. He pushes his action in a much more physical and stylized direction. The story is a fun little journey with a few twists and turns to keep it interesting. It's a good movie.

If you think VD is just cheesy and you've never liked him, this probably won't change your mind. If you're on the fence or are a fan, this is one of his best (my personal favorite). But it's VD with a HK sensibility and style here. My guess is that this will appeal more to VD fans than to HK action buffs. Some HK fanboys will call this film sacrilege. It really is the kind of movie that only a small handful of people will really enjoy. Despite being filmed in asia and having and all asian crew, VD keeps it from being a true HK film. He is still an American actor with a Tae Kwon Do background. So not much wire work or gymnastic kung fu. But it's the best you'll see him and that's more than enough for me.

It's got more life and charisma than some of his stale US projects where his characters were more or less the same guy (except Street Fighter, but we don't talk about that). This is far more unique and fresh. The real question is-are you sophisticated enough to truly appreciate the genius that is this film? That is the true challenge. July 28, 2008

Reeeeal subtle title. I like it.

The Jean Claude Van Damme Review Matrix (JCVD-RM)

1. Who is he? Marcus Ray, a fashion designer whose specialty is selling knock off jeans
2. Which family member/friend must be avenged? Merely a business associate
3. Does he take his shirt off? To be honest, I can't say that I noticed...but I'm sure he did.
4. Does he have sex with a C-List actress? No, but I'm sure he wanted to strip down Lela Rochon.
5. Is there a tournament? No, but there ARE exploding knock-off jeans
6. Is training needed for this tournament? Sadly, it appears the tournament aspect of JCVD's movies is going away.
7. Does he do the splits in training or in the tournament? No disappointment - the splits is done.
8. Does he punch someone in the balls? Eat, drink, sleep, punch someone in the balls...these are things JCVD craves
9. Does he do a series of flying or 360 kicks? Absolutely, maybe moreso than any other movie
10. Is his enemy unbeatable? One enemy dies more than once - isn't that enough? Aside from that he faces the Chinese mafia.
11. Does he overcome an injury or other hindrance? Rob Schneider is his partner.
12. Does he win? He always wins.

You gotta hand it to a guy who can make essentially the same entertaining movie over and over without shame, and then goes so far as to title one "Knock Off". I give him big time credit for this. Unlike some people who go away from their comfort zone and core audience (talking to you Vin Diesel, ahem, Pacifier), Jean Claude Van Damme (JCVD) continuously knocks'em out. In this film, JCVD takes the lead of director Tsui Hark and provides a new glimpse into his repertoire, providing an Asian feel. It actually is a small step away from his norm, as there is more of a Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon vibe with the gravity and physics defying movements, but it's still a fighting movie at heart. Is there no limit to this guy's talents?

Essentially, a villian plans to take over the world via implanting bombs in knock off jeans after cornering the worldwide jean market. Yeah, you read that right. If that's not absurd enough, two somewhat respectable actors (Paul Sorvino & Lela Rochon) are involved in this B-flick, for what I suspect is a hefty check and an extra line on their IMDB page. Notice that Rob Schneider was not included in the "respectable actors" group, mostly because of the fact that he increases the moron-quotient in this move threefold.

There are kicks and punches, great fights and great gun action, all sorts of lackeys getting hammered time and time again, and one guy even pulls a Lazarus and dies more than once.

Great movie. Lots of fun, and a new style for JCVD. June 28, 2008

Absolutely spectacular action film !

I urge anyone who like Asian Cinema and/or Jean Claude Van Damme to watch this movie. Brilliant fast paced camera work topped with an epic quality makes this film a visual treat for fans of fast paced action films (especially those of Asian Cinema). This movie is so well balanced with the action, story and quirky moments and thrills that you'll be wanting more.
Also I must mention that this movie is directed by Tsui Hark, so just buy this if you like his work (I do).
This is one of those films that just leaves you feeling really good once it ends. July 25, 2007

So bad it's good.

First saw this movie on HBO in the late '90's and as a connoisseur of "le bad cinema" I knew I'd found something special. My theory is that when a film is made there are roughly 3 million decision points, encompassing everything like dialog, blocking, acting, lighting, editing, make-up, etc.

A near perfect film (like 'Saving Private Ryan') has made roughly 2.85 million of these decisions correctly, but if you look at this from the other side, then a wonderfully awful film like 'Knock Off' got about 2.85 million of these decisions wrong.

That's what makes truly horrible films so good, you can't intentionally make a film like this (you couldn't consciously make that many decisions incorrect).

So if you appreciate a movie with bad special effects, nonsensical plotting, a character who seems to die 3 different times but keeps coming back with no explanation at all, random zooms that convey no information or emotion...oh and a rickshaw race featuring a pair of imploding shoes, and of course the Laurence Olivier like acting of Jean-Claude Van Damme (he's just too van-damme good) then this is a movie for you. July 17, 2007

A Dog

This movie is a dog, pure and simple. We ended up with two of these are the freebie give aways for the last few DVD players we bought. They can't sell it, so they're giving them away. Hide ...fast ! March 26, 2007

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