Background: It was over six months ago when I made a personal pact with myself -- I vowed to watch all of Jean-Claude Van Damme's starring roles in chronological order and review them each one-by-one on our site's Twitter account. It was a massive undertaking (as you can see below), and I had a great time doing it. Thx to the man himself, JCVD, and to all those who've helped create his films over the years.
- Bloodsport (1988) - 10/10
Not only a great role for Van Damme, but also an amazing martial arts film. Classic. [original tweet 10/31/2009] - Cyborg (1989) - 1/10
Interesting idea but completely unwatchable. Even Jean-Claude is a dud here. Maybe his worst performance. [original tweet 11/09/2009] - Kickboxer (1989) - 9/10
ALMOST as good as Bloodsport, which means this is really good. Van Damme's performance might be his best. [original tweet 11/14/2009] - Lionheart (1990) - 8/10
An excellent film, though the story drags here and there. Some of Jean-Claude's best fights caught on film. [original tweet 11/25/2009] - Death Warrant (1990) - 4/10
It's watchable, just not enjoyable. Jean-Claude turns in a decent performance, but the editing is awful. [original tweet 11/30/2009] - Double Impact (1991) - 5/10
Tons of fun, but kind of lame at the same time. Van Damme must have been taxed by the dual role. [original tweet 12/06/2009] - Universal Soldier (1992) - 5/10
Not good, not bad. This film sort of sits squarely in the middle of Van Damme's filmography. [original tweet 12/13/2009] - Nowhere to Run (1993) - 8/10
Unexpectedly good. More folksy than Van Damme's other flicks and propped up by strong storytelling. [original tweet 12/20/2009] - Hard Target (1993) - 4/10
Jean-Claude is good but the whole thing is so hokey. It's John Woo to the max... no, actually, maxed out. [original tweet 12/26/2009] - Timecop (1994) - 7/10
Makes no sense by the end, but I'm a sucker for kickass sci-fi and time travel. Plus, Van Damme is solid here. [original tweet 01/02/2010] - Street Fighter (1994) - 5/10
Overall, this is a lot better than its reputation. A good film but kind of weak acting by Van Damme. [original tweet 01/09/2010] - Sudden Death (1995) - 6/10
"Die Hard in a hockey arena" is too long and overdone, but still very good. Great Van Damme acting. [original tweet 01/16/2010] - Maximum Risk (1996) - 8/10
Definitely Van Damme's most traditional "thriller" to date. He does a great job and the film is solid. [original tweet 01/23/2010] - The Quest (1996) - 6/10
It has issues, but Van Damme's directorial debut works well in a strange way, especially during the fights. [original tweet 01/30/2010] - Double Team (1997) - 1/10
I love the fact that this movie even exists... But, unfortunately, it's pretty much unwatchable. [original tweet 02/02/2010] - Knock Off (1998) - 2/10
It pains me to say that this Jean-Claude Van Damme / Rob Schneider team-up totally sucks. Funny idea though. [original tweet 02/05/2010] - Legionnaire (1998) - 3/10
Put simply: This historical epic showcases good acting by Van Damme. But it still blows. [original tweet 02/03/2010] - Desert Heat (1999) - 6/10
I was unimpressed at first, but fond memories of Van Damme's interesting role in this film stuck with me. [original tweet 02/11/2010] - Universal Solider: The Return (1999)
2/10 - It's so bad!!! Arrgghhh! I can't take it! Make the pain stop, Van Damme, make it stop! [original tweet 02/09/2010] - Replicant (2001) - 5/10
Jean-Claude returns to his habit of dual roles in ridiculous form. Watch this only for unintentional laughs. [original tweet 02/15/2010] - The Order (2001) - 3/10
Not bad, per se... But not good either. The Charlton Heston appearance is the only memorable moment. [original tweet 02/17/2010] - Derailed (2002) - 5/10
Despite providing fodder for Van Damme critics, this b-movie is more fun than many of his fancier flicks. [original tweet 02/19/2010] - In Hell (2003) - 8/10
Morbid and engaging, Jean-Claude is at his most intense since Bloodsport... only far more emotionally complex. [original tweet 02/21/2010] - Wake of Death (2004) - 4/10
Van Damme's acting is especially strong and emotional, but the plot lacks. That drags this one down. [original tweet 02/22/2010] - Second in Command (2006) - 6/10
A surprisingly enjoyable and well-crafted movie. Van Damme's decent but the story shines brighter. [original tweet 02/24/2010] - The Hard Corps (2006) - 5/10
Goofy and drawn out, yet still tons of fun. The plot is convoluted but the characters are charismatic. [original tweet 11/20/2010] - Until Death (2007) - 7/10
This odd, sick plot turns highly entertaining when combined with Van Damme's performance. A great role for JCVD. [original tweet 02/26/2010] - The Shepard (2008) - 7/10
An average film boosted by excellent fight choreography and the quirkiness of Van Damme's character. [original tweet 02/27/2010] - JCVD (2008) - 9/10
Smart film. Van Damme becomes vulnerable to the audience in a very conceptual way. Great plot and performance. [original tweet 02/28/2010] - Universal Soldier: Regeneration (2010)
6/10 - Unique pacing and structure. The plot is a bit too simple but the action is excellent. [original tweet 02/14/2010] - Assassination Games (2011)
6/10 - Great stuff (Van Damme's performance, fight scenes) mixed w/ average stuff (plot, overdone ending). [original tweet 10/30/2011]











i would just like to say that watching these movies and writing these reviews were a huge part of my life for the past six or so months. i feel like i've lost something in that there are no more JCVD movies to review... yet i also feel like i've achieved this massive goal to watch his catalog. RESPECT THE JCVD REVIEWS PEOPLE RESPECT THEM
Did you buy copies of the JCVD Playgirls for yourself yet? You know you're not really done with this project until you do.
i'm sure you can guess what pages i'm flipping thru right now...
AudioShocker Shoutouts!

This is in regard to his last movie JCVD.. Did we watch the same movie?..I want 94 minutes of my life back! This movie was so BAD and
Boooooooooooring I almost flung myself off my balcony. It tried to hard
to be "artsy" and failed, then it tried to be dramatic, which it also
failed, and the few moments of humour were not intended to be humorous.
I never really was a fan of JCVD but at the end of that movie I hoped
the whole bank/postal office (wtf?) would blow up and everyone
especially JCVD would blow up in flames..what a ridiculous piece of
crap! I'm glad I didn't actually shell out the 1.99 to rent this mess
of a movie.
Different strokes, I guess. I wasn't a Van Damme fan the first time I watched JCVD. In fact, it was only the second Van Damme film I'd ever seen (Timecop being the first). But JCVD really clicked with me (though I knew little of his personal history). That film inspired me to go back and watch all of his movies, and it was an experience I thoroughly enjoyed. I learned a lot from it. And I watched JCVD again when it came up in my marathon viewing list. I liked it just as much (if not more) the second time!
wait, you weren't a Van Damme fan when JCVD came out in 2008?? i guess i thought you were into him since childhood. all my concepts about who you are have been shattered. it's like Nick Marino pre-2003 is a nebulous, undefinable entity.
AudioShocker Shoutouts!

hahahaha nope. not a JCVD fan until 2009. it all started here: http://www.audioshocker.com/2009/01/13/podcast-episode-063-mcconahoochie-man-crush
wait, but.... but... what was your opinion of Van Damme before 2009?!? i guess i'm the same way, like i didn't really get hardcore into Stallone until a handful of years ago, even though i liked him before that but i just wasn't super into him. same deal. i feel ya, man.
I didn't really care about his films, to be honest. I was aware of him as an actor, but I thought he was just like Steven Seagal or possibly a lesser Arnie. I was wrong!
AudioShocker Shoutouts!
