Bloodsport

If you read my 'Enter The Dragon' review last month, and my 'The One' review last year, you will know that I'm a sucker for martial arts movies. So, as you may have guessed, today I will be reviewing another one. Based on a true story, the 1988 biopic Bloodsport.

Directed by Newt Arnold, and starring the Muscles from Brussels, Jean Claude Van Damme in one of his first feature films, alongside Donald Gibb, Bolo Yeung and Leah Ayres. The films centres on the real-life Kung Fu tournament known as the Kumite (pronounced as Koo-Mat-Te), and a first timer taking part in order to prove himself as an accomplished martial artist. It's one of my personal favourite Kung Fu films, due to it's story, it's authenticity and, of course, it's kick-ass fight scenes.

The movie opens with a montage of martial artists from around the world training via their owns means and methods. We are then introduced to our main character Frank Dux (Van Damme), a US army recruit who has been invited to take part in the Kumite in Hong Kong. Upon discovering it's brutal and illicit nature, the army tries to prevent Dux from going. Adamant to compete, Dux goes A.W.O.L. in order to take part.

Once in Hong Kong, Dux befriends fellow 'American' Ray Jackson (Gibb), who is also participating in the Kumite, albeit with a vastly discrepant fighting style. He also meets American journalist Janice Kent (Ayres), who is attempting to report on the tournament, despite the stringent ban on press involvement.

With the Kumite underway, Dux quickly comes across Chong Li (Yeung), a highly skilled, ruthless fighter from South Korea, and current reining champ. Dux attracts Li's animosity by breaking his record for fastest knockout in his first fight, resulting in a war of words and intense stare-downs.

As I mentioned earlier, the movie is based on a true story. Frank Dux was the first American to ever win the Kumite, and set a number of records that still stand, including most knockouts, fastest knockout, and after years of competitions, he retired undefeated. Whether or not the film is entirely factually accurate, no one can be sure. Several people have disputed many of Dux claims over the years, even going as far as to say that he never even competed in the Kumite, let along emerged as the victor.

But whether or not the movie is entirely true, I still enjoy it. On the surface, it's a fairly straightforward 'guy who needs to prove himself' story, which often involve martial arts. Dux wants to prove to his Sensei, an accomplished Japanese Kung Fu master, that he will do him proud, as he enters the tournament as a member of their Tanaka clan.

The film suffers from some significant problems, predominantly Mr. Van Dammes', ahem, acting. Yes he can barely speak English, and has almost no idea how to emote, but fortunately this film wisely keeps his dialogue to a minimum, letting his punches and kicks doing the talking. It's also very cheesy, cliched, and delivers very few surprises. But on the plus side, the locations are very impressive and well shot, the antagonist is a serious bad ass who you actually wanted to see more of. Last but not least, there are the fight scenes. Let's face it, this is what our main character does best, and watching him in action makes you completely forget that he has the acting talent of, well, Jean Claude Van Damme. If you love martial arts, give it a look, if not, honestly, you aren't missing anything.