Billy Oduory on the worst JCVD remakes and direct-to-video sequels…
Dubbed “the most remade action star in the world,” Jean-Claude Van Damme is an action movie sensation who transformed the genre with his excellent combination of martial arts and acting. With timeless films like Kickboxer, Hard Target, Universal Soldier, and Timecop to his name, Van Damme can be effectively described as a force of nature for his impact on the entertainment industry.
With Van Dame’s fame often making his films famous long before their release, studios have resorted to remaking his old films. Unfortunately, without the sincerity and intensity of Van Damme’s performance, most of these remakes don’t live up to the legendary status of JCVD’s originals. From Bloodsport II to Welcome to Sudden Death, here is a look at the 10 worst remakes and direct-to-video sequels to some of Jean-Claude Van Damme’s best action films…
Bloodsport II: The Next Kumite (1996)
Bloodsport II: The Next Kumite is the first sequel to Bloodsport (1988), the film that catapulted Van Damme into the spotlight, grossing over $50 million worldwide despite being produced on a meagre $1.5 million budget. The sequel tells the story of Alex (Daniel Bernhardt), a prisoner who utilizes lessons from Master Sun (James Hong) to master the superior skill of the Iron Hand in defeating his sadistic adversary.
Unlike Van Dame’s film which was based on the true story of the former US Army captain Frank Dux, Bloodsport II isn’t based on a true story and doesn’t connect in any way to the original film. Bloodsport II doesn’t recreate Van Dame’s passion around the importance of the Kumite either, so it is no surprise that the film wasn’t a big hit.
Kickboxer: Vengeance (2016)
Kickboxer: Vengeance is the sixth installment in the kickboxer series, which was launched after the hugely successful 1989 film Kickboxer, which starred Jean-Claude Van Damme as Kurt Sloane. In this remake, Alain Moussi takes on the role of Kurt Sloane, seeking revenge against the brutal fighter Tong Po (Dave Bautista), after his brother is paralyzed in a fight. Despite Van Dame appearing as Kurt’s trainer in the film, Vengeance just doesn’t live up to the reputation of JCVD’s 1989 film.
Upon release, Vengeance received mixed reviews, with critics noting its lackluster storytelling and uninspired fight choreography, unlike the original film in which the intensity of JCVD’s fight scenes is a spectacle to behold. The film still capitalizes on nostalgia, with Van Damme’s appearance in the reduced role of a trainer going a long way in redeeming the film’s reputation.
Timecop 2: The Berlin Decision (2003)
Also called Timecop 2, Timecop: The Berlin Decision is the follow-up film to the 1994 sci-fi action film Timecop, in which Van Damme plays a time-traveling cop. In the remake, TEC agent Ryan Chang (Jason Scott Lee), travels back in time to try and stop rogue agent Brandon Miller (Thomas Ian Griffith) from altering history and probably putting the whole world in danger.
Unfortunately, Ryan Chang just doesn’t live up to the legendary status set by Van Damme’s character Max Walker in the original film. Jean-Claude Van Damme’s portrayal of Max Walker in the original Timecop was praised for its intensity and gripping storyline. In contrast, Timecop: The Berlin Decision received mostly negative reviews, with many critics highlighting its shallow storyline and lack of originality.
Welcome to Sudden Death (2020)
Welcome to Sudden Death is the remake of the 1995 action film Sudden Death, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme as a firefighter who must save his children from terrorists during a hockey game. The 2020 remake shifts the setting to a basketball arena, with Michael Jai White in the lead role as a security guard facing off against terrorists.
Jean-Claude Van Damme’s Sudden Death was heavily praised for its high-octane scenes, with Van Damme’s heroic displays turning the film into a cult classic. Unfortunately, despite Michael White’s best efforts at recreating the heroics, Welcome to Sudden Death is a mere shadow of its predecessor. The decision to transplant the action to a basketball arena did little to enhance the narrative, and the absence of Jean-Claude Van Damme’s charismatic presence left the remake feeling hollow.
Cyborg 2: Glass Shadow (1993)
Directed by Albert Pyun, Cyborg (1989) features what is arguably Van Damme’s best performance in a B movie if the film’s excellent reviews are anything to go by. In the original film, Van Damme plays Gibson Rickenbacker, the hard-as-nils protector of Pearl Prophet, the last hope for a cure, after a deadly virus wipes out most of humanity. Glass Shadow attempts to recreate the dystopian premise, utilizing a gynoid named Cassela “Cash” Reese (Angelina Jolie) in the lead role as the cyborg who develops human feelings to go against its programming, choosing to save lives instead of taking them.
Angelina Jolie’s performance as Cassella Reese in Cyborg 2 has been described as the worst performance of her career. Van Damme’s absence in the film didn’t help its prospects either as it ended up feeling like a forced recreation of the original film without his charm. In the end, it lacked the intensity and the deep storytelling of its predecessor, failing to justify its connection to JCVD’s original.
Bloodsport 4: The Dark Kumite (1999)
This was the last, and by far, the worst film in the Bloodsport series. It follows Daniel Bernhardt as undercover agent John Keller, who goes into a prison to investigate the mysterious disappearance of prisoners. In the prison, he discovers an underground Kumite-like tournament run by the evil Justin Caesar. To save himself and end Caesar’s reign of terror, Keller has to fight in the Kumite whose only rule is that there are no rules.
Despite the interesting tweak to the original story, Bloodsport 4 just doesn’t have the depth in storyline and visuals to live up to the reputation of Jean-Claude Van Damme’s Bloodsport. Most of the fight scenes feel made up, worsened by stock sounds, despite the cast including many talented martial artists. There is no effort to invoke the power of the Iron Hand as was the case with the previous films, leaving little to admire in this sequel.
Cyborg 3 (1994)
After the disastrous reception of Cyborg 2, Michael Schroeder picked up the project and attempted to recreate the charm of the original film. Starring Khrysteine Haje in the lead role of the human/cyborg hybrid Cassella “Cash” Reese, Cyborg 3 moves the timeline to the end of the golden era of cyborgs as cyborgs no longer coexist with humans. Cash, now mysteriously pregnant, must escape from mercenaries that hunt cyborgs to a cyborg haven known as Cytown.
Unfortunately, the action sequences in Cyborg 3 are underwhelming compared to the original film. The film also relies heavily on its sci-fi elements, neglecting to deliver the adrenaline-pumping action that defined the first Cyborg movie. Without JCVD to infuse a little charm and grit, Cyborg 3’s prospects were, therefore, just as bleak as its immediate predecessor.
Universal Soldier II: Brothers in Arms (1998)
Universal Soldier II: Brothers in Arms is a direct-to-video sequel to the hit 1992 sci-fi action film Universal Soldier, which starred Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren. In the sequel, the story follows two genetically enhanced Universal Soldiers, Luc ( now played by Matt Battaglia) and Eric (Jeff Wincott), who rebel against their creators and go on the run. They must confront their past and take down a rogue faction of Universal Soldiers led by a corrupt security consultant.
Universal Soldier was the first film in which Van Damme and Lundgren starred together, with their chemistry turning the film into a lively Sci-fi hit. With both stars removed from the sequel, the gap proved too big to fill for Matt Battaglia and Jeff Wincott. Despite cameo appearances by Burt Reynolds and Michael Copman, the sequel film just doesn’t capture the spirit of its predecessor, although its action sequence and visuals are impressive.
Timecop TV Series (1997)
After the success of JCVD’s 1994 film, ABC attempted to cash in on the film’s popularity with this 8 pm series. Initially intended to run for 13 episodes, Timecop features the partnership of TEC officers Claire Hemmings and Jack Logan as they travel through the Time Stream to catch criminals sent by rogue agencies from different timelines.
The reception of the TV series was so bad that it was canceled after just nine episodes instead of the intended 13. All action sequences and fight scenes in the show feel forced, with many of them using stock soundtracks that just don’t live up to the original film’s intense action scenes. Without JCVD to spice up the action with better fighting skills, the TV series could never attract the attention of the original film’s large fan base.
Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun Li (2009)
Street Fighter was one of the worst-reviewed Jean-Claude Van Damme films, but it was still one of the highest-grossing films of his career which is a testament to JCVD’s legacy. The sequel follows Chun-Li (Kristin Kreuk), a young woman who seeks revenge against the criminal organization known as Shadaloo, led by the ruthless Bison (Neal McDonough). Chun-Li trains in martial arts and harnesses her inner strength to confront Bison and bring justice to her family.
Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li received mixed reviews and mostly faced criticism for its departure from the tone and style of the original Street Fighter film featuring Jean-Claude Van Damme. One of the main issues was the lack of faithful adaptation to the source material. While the original film embraced the campy and over-the-top elements of the video game, the 2009 reboot opted for a more serious and gritty approach that alienated many JCVD fans.
SEE ALSO: 5 Underrated Jean-Claude Van Damme Movies
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Billy Oduory
