Kickboxer: Vengeance (2016)

Kickboxer:Vengeance tries and fails to kick start a 90's martial arts classic....

The new film is for the most part, everything the original was not. Most notably the story simply does not hold together as well as the original did. There's little of the build up and general flow found in the well constructed if basic original story line.That said, whats most absent, for me, are the larger than life characterizations and Jean Claude Van Damme in the lead role.

Van Damme does make an appearance as instructor/mentor to the new lead but its not enough to make up for this films other shortcomings. The general standard of acting is OK to reasonable but this one just does not have the "martial magic" found in the original.

Five out of ten from me.

Fmovies: ... and unfortunately a hard film to review.

The paradox is that the film succeeds where it doesn't want to -- and doesn't succeed where it wants to.

For example, as an out-of-the-box version or re-imagining of KICKBOXER, it does not quite make it.

The problem is not the direction, or cinematography (gorgeous), or even the script.

The problem is the casting of the main character.

At no point in this movie does Alain Moussi ever actually give the impression that he is strong enough or fast enough or skilled enough to take out the bad guy.

Think about it. Imagine the Rocky films if Stallone has been unable to "sell" his potential to be a winner???

That was the bad news. The good news is that it was a delight to see JCVD back in front of the camera, playing a super-cool "trainer" and showing off perhaps the world's most dangerous 55 year old.

The difference between a true star and a wannabee is that JCVD not only steals his scenes, but actually gives the impression that HE could win a fight with the dreaded Tong Po, age or no age.

Other than that, the film is fun but forgettable.

Gina Carano is also oddly cast as a promoter who throws tantrums but never a punch.

George St. Pierre sort of haunts the film as an odd character we never really get to know. (If nothing else, these sorts of excursions give GSP a reason to learn English, and get paid for it.)

The love interest is played by an actress named T.J Storm who (I am guessing here) took the part for less money on the condition that the name of her on-screen character is also .... "Storm." A strange kind of advertising for future roles? Also very easy on the eyes, I hasten to add.

This film is no Warrior or Forbidden Kingdom. It is not going into the annals of MMA film history.

But overall not too bad.

Gonna keep this short as i have wasted enough of my time watching this never mind typing about it.

OK here goes.... the acting is bad, JCVD really needs to consider hanging up his acting gloves. I shouldn't really single out JCVD's poor acting as the rest of the crew were equally as bad. The choreography is the worst i have seen for a long time, i have seen better on Youtube from kids play acting on their mobile phones.

The only good things about the movie (apart from the credits) is Dave Bautista and George St Pierre, Bautista looked the part and did a decent job as the role of Tong Po. George St Pierre looked like he was having fun on the set and tried his best. Seriously Dave mate, you need to stay away from movies like this as it could damage your career.

If like me you enjoyed the original stay away from this steaming pile of dog mess.

Kickboxer: Vengeance fmovies. This could have been a good film, so many genuine Martial arts and MMA fighters should have made this a great film, plus with the legendary John Claude Van-Damme how could it go wrong? Well sadly it went very wrong and I believe this is mainly down to the lead role being the wrong actor. Alan Moussi is very athletic and can clearly do Martial Arts but he has no charisma and he is a terrible actor. I never once believed he could win against Dave Batista's Tong Po. For me he was almost as unconvincing as Ralph Macchio in the original Karate Kid movie.

Sara Malakul Lane adds some glamour but her character is pretty pointless and she seemed to just suddenly be in a relationship with Sloane for no reason.

So over all disappointing, JCVD still has it! It's a shame that Alan Moussi doesn't. Poor casting makes a bad movie always.

I went to the world premiere Fantasia festival of Kickboxer remake.

This is coming from a Van damme, 80s movie fan. And its all that matters.

The movie is dumb, cheesy to the core, but sill, fun, with good moments, good old fights and real homage to not only the 80s, but what Van dammme gave us.

Van damme made the movie. He has amazing moments, scenes and fight a lot. Alain Moussi the star is great, he is showing his abilities on screen, GSP, the legendary Georges St-pierre put something far more better than the Winter soldier character with now, real comedy, fighting etc. and all of all three working should be enough to enjoy kickboxer.

Goods is that, its fun, its put many tribute moments to the original movie. It has amazing cinematography (mostly the training scenes in thailand), good old 80s vibe that true fans will enjoy, and not be taken seriously. Mma fans will love the show of many ufc fighters.

Again, if you are younger, or never was in this old era, you won't enjoy it or understand it for what it is...

My quick rating 5,0/10. I won't say much. If you like martial arts action films, you should be OK with this one. Typical avenge the death of your brother plot, so don't expect to be astonished. Nice choreography for the fight scenes with a nice nod to the MMA world sprinkled in. Good to see JCVD making a pseudo comeback such as this film. He plays the muay thai teacher role quite well. The use of Batista was also a nice choice as he looks and plays the part well (he doesn't need to say much) and riding his recent success helps. I think the movie would've been just fine without the pointless love story that most of the time you can't tell if it is actually happening or the main dudes wet dream. Beyond that, just know what you are getting in for. Fighting. (yes the broken glass from the original is used)

Oh, and if you like this movie, be happy to know there is a sequel on the way in 2017.