Jean Claude Van Damme is now something of a gag celebrity but for a number of years he was a genuine action star - never quite in the league of Arnie or Sly but a true draw at the box office. This was in part because in his heyday (roughly 89-95) you knew his movies always tried to be better than the typical action flick - they would have better production values and directors.
This one was shot on location in Thailand so it always looks good (or at least different) with plenty of lush greens and markets and packed fighting arenas (plus the inevitable stable of 80s action... the visit to the tittie bar). The plot isn't exactly, um, original but serves its purpose - Van Damme's "brother" Dennis Alexio is paralysed in a kickboxing fight so Jean Claude goes looking for revenge. There's a Mr Miyagi trainer, a beautiful girl, a Vietnam Vet who helps them and some baddies.
The kickboxing gives it novelty and Jean Claude does have appeal - boyish good looks, solid fighting ability, a cute accent. The movie does spill into camp too often, Haskell Anderson (the Vietnam Vet) isn't the world's best actor, the writers never met a stereotype they didn't like, and there is some bad 80s guitar. But I enjoyed it.
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