Customer Reviews

Double Impact (Widescreen)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I remember this one like it was yesterday; one of the earliest Van Damme vehicles that actually involved something approaching a modest budget (well, they total two Mercedes in one scene) and a script!

What this film did right was the inclusion of multiple villains, necessary not only because there are two Van Dammes, but because all of the classic martial arts films involved many enemies as well. Recurring VD villains include Peter Malota (the Spanish fighter in later film "The Quest"), whose blue-lit kickboxing scene with Jean-Claude is one of the best in recent memory, and famed "Enter The Dragon" baddie (and longtime martial arts staple) Bolo Yeung.

It helps that Van Damme also has veteran character actor Geoffrey Lewis on board; that kind of gruff, Sam Elliott presence makes up for a lot of acting acumen that is lacking in the rest of the cast. Peter Scarfe stars as the embodiment of evil, and Alonna Shaw as the embodiment.

The pacing is good; the script has some howlers, and the shooting locations are to die for. Look for a very early cameo by Julie Strain!

i was very happy with the service i received when i got this movie i will definitly use them again

un bon film ou cory everson fait son apparition . jai vu ca ilya 10 ans et plus je m etais blesse un oeil lors de la projection .

All apologies aside to an old gum commercial,this Aug./91 film Double Impact starring JCVD is an absolute kick! One of his more successful movies,and deservedly so,it has a solid supporting cast,is deftly directed and has good production values.
The story opens in Hong Kong where one Paul Wagner(Andy Armstrong) and his business associate Nigel Griffith(Alan Scarfe)are unveiling a new tunnel connecting mainland China to Hong Kong(FYI:this is still British controlled Hong Kong).It was built with the help of money from a local gang headed by Raymond Zhang(Philip Chan).After the ceremony is over Paul,his wife,twin boys and their nanny head home.Paul's close friend Frank Avery(Geoffrey Lewis)follows them so far in his car then heads off home alone.Paul's car is ambushed farther along by Zhang and his gang members,with an assist from Griffith.Griffith has decided to take out his partner,take control of the bridge and split the future tunnel revenues with Zhang.Paul and his wife are killed but the nanny escapes with one of the twins(Alex) and Frank who appears on the scene for a brief encounter with the gang escapes with the other(Chad).
The scene is 25 years later and in the States we find Chad who has been raised by Frank.Frank and Chad run a successful ballet and karate school.Chad is a fit young man,whose tastes are refined,especially in the clothing department where he prefers the brighter colours.Frank has never forgotten what happened and a PI has tracked down Chads brother Alex.Frank calls Chad into his office and breaks the news that he is not his uncle and that he has a twin brother in Hong Kong.Soon Frank and an incredulous Chad are off to the Orient.
It is not a great reunion in Hong Kong between the brothers.Before they actually meet Chad is mistaken for his brother more than once.In fact Alex's girlfriend Danielle(Alonna Shaw)actually thinks Chad is Alex.As she is about to make Chad's day Alex walks in and gives Chad a wallop to the head.Frank comes in and straightens out the misunderstanding,along with an explanation of the boys past and the circumstances of why they were brought up they way they were.Alex is a street wise guy who smuggles for a living and frequently has had dealings with the gang boss Zhang.Alex's girlfriend by coincidence works for the boys fathers old backstabbing partner Griffith.She is in disbelief but agrees to keep her eyes peeled for any info she may come upon to verify the story Frank has told.
As time progresses it becomes apparent to the boys and Danielle that there is indeed something rotten in Hong Kong and that Zhang and Griffith are behind it all,including the boys parents deaths.The boys along with Frank start with a series of interruptions in Zhangs trafficking of goods.They also make a shambles of a meeting of several gang bosses with Griffith and Zhang.Frank and the boys hide out in a remote part of Hong Kong but they are eventually discovered and flushed out.
The movies' climax ends on board a large ocean freighter that Zhang has planned to ship drugs on to the States.First the brothers have to go up against Griffith and Zhangs top enforcers.Alex confronts Griffiths guard Kara(Corrina Everson)while Chad confronts Zhangs' Moon(Bolo Yeung).Once dispatched the boys then move onto the king pins themselves.Alex takes care of Zhang half way up a giant ship loader while Chad takes down Griffith with a drop of a ships container.
Frank who had been tortured below decks comes above to reunite with the two brothers who have successfully beaten the odds to take back what was rightfully theirs.
The action in Double Impact is fast and furious and Van Damme is in excellent form here portraying twins flawlessly.Again Van Damme has a solid supporting cast behind him with Clint Eastwoods favourite sidekick Geoffrey Lewis as Frank,Canadian veteran actor Alan Scarfe as the nasty Griffith,Phillip Chan does a fully in control villain as Zhang,Bolo Yeung returns here as Moon,Van Dammes ultimate nemesis in Bloodsport and bodybuilder Corrina Everson plays a great heavy as Kara.The plot is imaginative and moves at a good pace throughout and the stunt work is fantastic.A "holy smokes" moment to watch out for occurs at the beginning of the film when Chad has to take over a karate class dressed in his ballet teaching leotards(purple!).A student who is getting a bit out of hand challenges Chad.From a standing still position to a lightning kick to the face,and a return to his original posture,all in a seemingly split second,it is breathtaking to watch.
In the technical department the movie itself is a very good print and is quite clear and crisp throughout.It is in its' original widescreen a/r of 1:85:1 and comes with no features except the trailer.The disc is one sided and comes in a thick keepcase.
All in all one of Van Damme's better films which I give a solid four stars to.With a great cast and production values,along with a good script,this film is a solid winner.Recommended.

another Jean-claude van damme classic,tw0 jean-claudes? which is good? whos the wimp? Just watch the movie

I liked this movie,Van Damnes brother is,well u wont believe it,Van Damnes brother is Van Damne.This was another great Van Damne movie,this is worth watching.

Jean-Claude Van Damme was making the best of his films in the beginning to the middle of the 90's.Death Warrant started out his action hero character and after that hit box offices Van Damme went full throttle in a number of other great action adventures.So we come to Double Impact,a film directed by Van Dammes long time buddy Sheldon Lettich.Two Van Dammes are always better than one,but now in 2003 if an action star duplicates himself,it's just downright stupid,action audiences have seen that combination way to much in recent years.But Double Impact was one of the first to do it,and to this day Double Impact is one of the best downright action films.Van Dammes acting is good and his cheorographed fight scenes are clever and original.This film deserves it's props and I'm here to give Van Damme his due,way to go!

I liked this movie. I think my favorite Van Damme movies are this one, Sudden Death and Time Cop. It would be really cool if they could have included the commercial for this movie. I don't know if you remember it but it went something like this: Van Damme in a double role... It's twice the punches, twice the kicks, it's too Damme much! Jean Claude also has my respect in that he voiced his irritation in the Hollywood crowd who stood in protest. Jean Claude gets five stars and my respect. You're the man Jean!

van damme returns for a utimate challage yet and bolo is back from bloodsport iy was proper dammage

In this madcap caper comedy, Elvis Presley plays a singing, swinging, lothario being chased across Europe by adoring mini-skirted lovelies and some VERY inept jewel thieves. Complicating matters even further is a nasty subplot involving an unscrupulous uncle's attempt to "off" his own neice and claim her inheritance for himself! But as always, the big attraction here are the songs, which include "I Love Only One Girl," the obligatory catchy title tune, and, best of all, Presley's masterful reading of "Old Macdonald." Put this on your shelf next to the best of Chaplin, Sellers, and Allen; u won't be disappointed you did.