By Andy Carrington

Solid

Jean Claude Van Damme plays Kurt Sloane, who begins as a corner man for his brother Eric, an American kickboxing champion. When Eric becomes paralysed via a vicious beating in the ring by the Thailand champion Tong Po, via a trip to Bangkok, Kurt vows to avenge his brother and master the art of Muay-Thai for himself.

Admittedly, the script and acting is laughable throughout, which at times is even inexcusable given the era, and you sometimes get the impression you’re watching a cheap re-hash of Karate Kid and Rocky III all rolled into one.

Don’t expect any plot twists; simply put, this is all about the action.

It is when Kurt meets the old Chinese master Xian Chow that things really “ kick” off; he begins to train, in hope that one day he will get the opportunity to defeat Tong Po in the ring. Noticing that Sloane’s abilities as a fighter are developing rapidly however, mobsters threaten his life, and force him to fight only under the ancient methods of the sport. This involves both fighters wrapping their hands in hemp rope, coated with resin, and then dipped in shards of broken glass.
 

Ok it’s Van Damme- hardly mine, if anyone’s, favourite “actor”, but you can’t help but like Kickboxer for sheer cheesiness and 80’s nostalgia.
 

> YOUR NAME HER3E <

CRITIC WANTED! YOUR EXPERIENCE NECESSARY

Pathetic         Wimpy         Solid        Super        HUGE

> YOUR REVIEW HERE <