Someone just asked Jean-Claude to spell “existential”.
Firstly the opening credits look like they were picked on Microsoft Word. Not a good start.
So JCVD’s wife is killed, and when the killer gets off without going to jail he takes justice into his own hands and offs the guy himself, which results in him getting a stretch in Russian jail.
So all the prison movie cliches are here:
- – Frequent visits to solitary.
- – Guys getting shanked.
- – Fights in the cafeteria.
- – Fights on the work gang.
And it wouldn’t be a prison movie without…
- – Attempted prison rape.
Anyway while in jail JCVD takes a teaspoon of cement and hardens the fuck up, becoming a mercenary prison fighter with no friends, things happen, and in the end he takes on impossible odds and…
1 – Why is he French?
Because he is in Russia! (Obviously.)
2 – Who is he saving/helping?
Society.
3 – Who is the Bad Guy(s)?
The Man. Corruption. Big bald white guys with too many tattoos.
4 – Does he do the splits?
No.
5 – Is he shirtless in the film?
No!
6 – Does he hold poses after the final punch/kick? (Extra points for slo-mo!)
No.
7 – Is the soundtrack full of ‘orrible cheesy toons?
Amazingly yes.
8 – Are there any other recognisable actors in the film?
One tattooed guy who plays a gang member, who always plays tattooed gang members.
9 – Is there a love interest? (Or at least some tit!)
Not that you’d want to watch.
10 – Is the damme thing any damme good?
OK, not a typical JCVD film though.
Verdict – Very morose, slow moving and deliberate. Has some good bits though.
