Pound of Flesh

Pound of Flesh_360P

Action movie collaboration between west and east has produced mixed results in recent year, even the ones with high production. Pound of Flesh with its modest budget is actually a welcomed change of pace as Van Damme delivers a different kind of action flick. It makes do with the quirky antic, decent plot and the tendency for humor on its own expense. Unfortunately, there are also few jarring basic errors which might decrease the entertainment value and the moral message isn't appealing enough. Deacon (Van Damme) wakes up as though he's in Nat Geo documentary of stupid tourist getting molested. He has only one functioning kidney left and with his set of particular skills, he will find it and take it back. The plot adds more depth in introducing his estranged brother who is religious in the ordeal and his niece who happens to need kidney transplant. While this might seem ludicrous, the movie gives effort on creating a human drama. Van Damme is presentable in both acting and fight, he might seem off beat at times, but he does his best. It's not the usual one man army action as he is shown repeatedly in fragile form. The film tries to create a philosophical and moral commentary, though only a couple of these actually work and frankly it drags the movie in midway point. Fortunately, it has a balanced ratio of irony expected from mild action film. The action is fluid enough, choreography for the fight is pretty well done and it takes what advantage it can from its exotic setting. However, occasionally the movie will suffer from poorly made effects. One of them is a reminiscence of 90s sitcom where the characters would drive a car and scenery would be plastered around them. The setting might look awkward as though green screen doesn't match, shooting effect is plastic as best or the scenes feel choppily pasted on random location. These things shouldn't have happened with current filmmaking. It has several technical flaws and the narrative might stumble, although its friendly locals, quirky B-movie antics and a touch of needed irony make Pound of Flesh an interesting light watch. If it had better presentation and less heavy-handed morality issue, it would've been a more compelling trip.

I don't want to discuss the storyline here because from the start it's off-beat, surprising and entertaining. After so many cinematic dogs that made it look as if Mr. Van Damme's films were going the way of Steven Seagal, this turnaround is arguably one of Mr. Van Dammne's best films. The script is right on, direction tight, and the storyline went off in a really different direction. He has to fight, yes, but not just to show off his acrobatics every other scene. And rather than just another action flick, this has heart and a story that may stick with the viewer. Someone once said that a good story should have an ending that is inevitable, yet still a surprise. I liken a good story to a magician on stage. He places his top hat upside down on a table and goes through his array of tricks, and although you just know it's coming, when at the end he pulls that live rabbit out his hat you're surprised and amazed. In this case, I was expecting to take a step further and really surprise with that rabbit, but still, the ending was quite satisfactory, maybe even better that what I had expected, all things considered. I'd say this is a film any Van Damme fan should have on the shelf. One little thing: Although this was shot, entirely I think, in Canada, it was supposed to be Manila. I've never been there, and I imagine there are a great many people there from China, but in much of the movie, judging from the background and all the signs and passersby, I'd have sworn we were in Hong Kong or some such place. That didn't hurt the film however. I'm just saying....

"Would you kill to save her, even if it meant your soul?" Deacon (Van Damme) is relaxing when he sees a woman being harassed. He helps her and ends up staying the night with her. When he wakes up in a bathtub he is tying to piece together the night. When he realizes his kidney has been taken out of him he isn't sure what to do. Now him and two of his friends must not only try and save Deacon, but get the kidney in time to save his friend's daughter's life. These are the hardest movies for me to review. One reason is because I have just not a big fan of Van Damme. Another reason is is that these movies are so generic it's hard to really enjoy them. All of these straight to video movies starring Van Damme and Segal have to do with a tough guy trying to save someone he cares about the only way he knows how…violence. There is always a different catalyst but for the most part the start and end the same way. This one is no different. If you like Van Damme you will like this, otherwise you have probably already seen a movie like this and it's nothing to rush and see. Overall, generic and not all that exciting, typical Van Damme. I give it a C.

Although the plot starts with the urban myth of waking up in a bathtub full of ice and minus one kidney, this film quickly progresses into a classic Van Damme action thriller. He's showing some age, but his action scenes remind you of why he's been so successful. He's not only a good actor, he's as badass as badass gets. If you want a very well written, well acted and well directed action flick, settle in. It also introduces us to the charming and talented Charlotte Peters, an actress I suspect we'll see much more of in the years to come. No spoilers here, but you will want to watch this one all the way through, because there is a plot twist or two along the way that you won't want to miss. It's good entertainment, and Van Damme is as good as ever in it.

I watched this knowing it was going to be a B movie at best, but hey, Van Damme is lovable and an old film legend. But the movie is just annoying, whenever Van Damme is not beating up some guy or killing someone. The film tries to do lots of plot twists, which is trying to be too clever for what is a beat'em'up film. The twists are never shocking once revealed, you be like "ohhhhhhh yeah". Van Damme's brother is annoying, like of like you know those escort missions in videogames where secretly you just want to shoot them in the head and you try, but the game won't let you or you fail the mission? You know, that kind of reaction. So here is the spoiler. Van Damme dies at the end. WTF mate. Also, the scene where his brother finds the person who arranged for Van Damme's kidney to be stolen is doing it for the same reason as him and all of a sudden, Van Damme is like , "oh noes, we can't shoot a child in the head and take back my kidney". Utterly pathetic, I wanted to see his head blown clean off, blame it on the film censors eh guvnor? Also, the film was too dark, could hardly see anything, they couldn't even get the cinematography right, nevermind the plot.

Jean Claude has been doing very well in recent times. It is great to see him making a decent comeback. My wife and I took the pleasure of watching Pound Of flesh tonight. I'm enthusiastic about it giving a rating of 8-10 - The movie provides plenty of action which is what I'm mainly in it for. My wife is a Filipina and we were happy to recognize areas of Manila in the movie. I have this feeling that I may have been around the area during the time Van Damme was visiting the Philippines. The beginning starts of a little rough, but when the action begins and the twists start to roll in...This gem starts coming together better. My wife cried at the end. The story was well set up and unpredictable. I hope these guys get back together again for some more kick ass movies in the near future.

Another Barbarash/Van Damme movie. The third in a row. This time a big difference. It isn't shot in East Europe!! but in Hong Kong. To bad it doesn't show.. Van Damme loses his kidney after a rough night. He wakes up without a kidney.. the kidney he wanted to give to his niece.( but he decided to drown it with whiskey first) A odyssey starts to find his kidney back. This movie has lots of good action but everything around it is extremely dull. Van Damme seems motivated but looks terminal and is doubled even more then i could spot in Enemies Closer. There are also some really bad slow motion kicks that came straight from the 90's. The brother seems to have the best acting skills but he and Van Damme have no chemistry. The fight with Shalahvi are great but nothing better then The Shepherds end fight between Adkins and Van Damme. It was actually a big bore. I already expected this after seeing the trailer. The sets are boring and dark and this movie has exactly the same depressing pace as Assassination Games and Six Bullets.I was glad to see no Van Damme family members this time.. I think Ernie has got the max out of JC these days. Time to move on

Deacon (Van Damme) helps Anna (Charlotte Peters) from being mugged in an alley, they have drinks, go to his room and later he wakes up in icy water. Still later he realizes he was drugged and he is missing a kidney. Whaaaat? Oh, and he wants his kidney back. Wouldn't you? The fight scenes are good, but lasted way too long. By Hollywood's thinking, the fight scenes need to go on forever to make sure you understand and appreciate the talents and skills used by the players. See? I know you are wondering if Van Damme does a split across a hallway or some-such. Well, he does something, not that but you won't be disappointed. Hey, he's not a spring chicken any more. Along with Van Damme, the real winners in here are the supporting cast and even the bad guys led by Darren Shahlvavei as Drake were spot on. We enjoyed this cast as they contributed quite a bit in dialogues and facial expressions. Good guys Ana (Charlotte Peters), Deacon's brother George (John Ralston), and Kung (Aki Aleong) Deacon's contact in Singapore made this more enjoyable as they believed in what they were doing helping Deacon. Here's the thing: there are quite a few twists in here and some may surprise you and they don't stop until the very end. When you think you know something up comes something else to consider. So basically, it's surprise, surprise, surprise. Once you get past most of the twists you may know how this is going to end. Hey, if I can figure it out, so can you. (7/10) Violence: Yes. Sex: Yes, briefly, one time in the beginning. Nothing is seen. Nudity: No. Language: Brief soft stuff.