Double Impact

The unrivalled master of karate and the splits in his most iconic role, or the only thing better than Van Damme is a double portion of Van Damme. The film, in which he plays the dual role of separated twins who reunite in adulthood to take revenge on the mobsters who killed their parents, was made at a time when the Belgian actor had already established himself in American B-movie productions of the celebrated purveyor of trashy cinematic dreams, Cannon Films, and was well on his way to A-list heights. In addition to its ambitious premise, the film, which is set in Hong Kong, not only offered an exotic environment, but it primarily combined Hollywood craftsmanship with the stunt and fighting professionals of the then British colony. Van Damme had already collaborated with them on his breakthrough, Bloodsport. The iconic antagonist from that VHS hit, Hong Kong bodybuilder and martial arts practitioner Bolo Yeung, had an onscreen rematch with Van Damme in the no less iconic duel in Double Impact. Fanboy superlatives aside, however, it is necessary to admit that it is unfortunately obvious in the action scenes that they were the work of an American crew. In comparison with the best works of that era, or even just average Hong Kong action flicks, Double Impact turns out to be a rather pointless spectacle that is kept afloat primarily by its central double dose of Van Damme. (14/03/2021)

A very bad action movie, where the main villain is far more charismatic than both heroes combined. If I overlook some horrendous visual effects (especially when the two Van Dammes appear on the screen at the same time), we have a typical revenge story that tries to have an Asian atmosphere, but fails miserably. Sheldon Lettich is a B-movie director who doesn't know what he's doing. Had this been a pure Hong Kong film, I believe the quality would be higher, but then most likely it wouldn't be starring Jean-Claude Van Damme. Bolo Yeung is a top-notch fighter. (19/05/2005)