I was surprised at how good this actually was. Good on JC for being able to poke fun at himself and the entire genre of his movies.
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attipton15 December 2017
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Very underestimated!! He is mutch better action hero then new simple not martial based action guys. I did not understand, what i am missing from nowdays but he is one of them. Better martial arts and bodymovin qualities. And he is now full grown guy with black humours, and deepness grown of aging made him more serious! I really hope he will continue his works, and people on managments will give him good roles, with good stories! I know its rare in holywood.
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jvenus-073398 April 2021I just came across this show and am so disappointed to watch it through with only one season to it.
I never was big on the 80s/90s action movies. I didn't dislike or like Jean Claude Van Damme but I never watched much of what he was in because I'm not into movies like what he used to do.
I haven't laughed so hard in a long time. The way all the inside jokes are done was just awesome. Even I got most of them not having actually watched most of his previous movies but just was familar with them. I don't laugh at self depreciating comedy. There's a huge difference between self depreciation and poking fun at oneself that many don't understand. I felt this show understood and did it well.
Beyond the comedy was lots of action for others that enjoy that. I actually enjoy the action in this because it doesn't take itself too seriously and I really enjoyed that too. Then a few really deep, emotional moments that I actually cried over.
I'm trying to be vague to not give any spoilers, but I just think everyone should watch this show. It had minimal issues that I saw, and is very sad that it got cancelled without a chance to get even better. It is sad how many other really crappy shows get 6, 7, 8, + seasons and the masses love them when they are garbage, yet a truly good show can't even get a 2nd season. -
rowantl18 March 2018So heartbroken that there are not more episodes or season two. I loved this show and so did my son. It was great on how he made fun of himself.
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Honestly, I am a harsh film critic and find the writing to always be the worst thing about films. But, the writing of this show is top notch. It blew me away and is far better than any other show i have watched from amazon probably all the network and cable shows. The irony is great and I believe I laughed out loud in every episode; let me tell you, it is very hard to get more than a chuckle out of me. The wit here is almost flawless. The execution of the edits and the direction are so well done. And the dialogue is mostly fantastic with perfect satire and pastiche while creating a truly emotional finale that is well built and hard earned and unexpected. Not to mention the perfect tightrope of sincerity walked by the actors who all deliver confidently and robustly, as though it were a big budget affair. You wouldnt know some of them arent star actors . Truly.
Amazon is CRAZY to cancel this gem. They have so many insultingly garbage shows with bad acting and worse writing that get slapped together for second and third seasons. Thank god jcvd season 1 is so well written and planned that it works as a standalone without need for season 2.
Amazon, shame on you for torching this fine piece of sincere emotional comedic satire. It is the only show you have that delivers. And it never resorts to filler. I cant say enough about this show. I love it. -
Dear Amazon Video,
This (like "the legend of master legend") is a truly original production. Please don't screw this up. First of all, note the great successes of your competition (Netflix, Hulu). With productions like "Stranger Things," "11.22.63," and "Sense8," bringing back an actor with the reputation of JCVD is a great step forward for you. Even more, blending the roles between actor and character is a very ingenious concept.
For the sake of retaining viewers, please give timely updates to when (or "if") your massive quantity of original productions will continue or be scrapped. Until I read the first review here on IMDb, I though this great concept (like many others) was scrapped in favor of unoriginal works (such as "The Tick" or "Good Girls Revolt") blatantly targeted for a specific viewer demographics.
It's a relief to know that this series will resume airing 12.15.2017. Please make this announcement official.
Thank you -
danbull-2042711 April 2020Yes as a kid I loved jcvd but I got older, understood films need more of a storyline, character depth and actual actors (not just stuntmen forced in to scenes). So I wasn't expecting a lot from this prime series. Maybe that's what makes this so enjoyable. A fun romp with JC poking excellent fun at himself.
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dhubka31 May 2018Seriously! I have been a huge Van Damme fan for decades, and I had no IDEA he was a secret super agent in REAL LIFE! This documentary shows how dedicated he is to serving justice at the same time as producing high quality film. If Steven Segal really DID work for the CIA, how come he doesn't get a show like this? Because Segal is a POSER! Van Damme is the real thing! Trust this eBayer!
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cherold27 November 2018The pilot for Jean-Claude Van Johnson was a hilarious mix of spy movie and Hollywood satire, and I was really excited to learn the series had been picked up. Until I watched it.
The premise is actor Jean-Claude Van Damme is also a real-life spy. In the pilot, this premise was used to send up Hollywood and celebrity, as well as spy movies, but the rest of the series plays it much straighter. Yes, it's still got a silly plot and some goofy moments, but it's all played pretty straight and the Hollywood-parody stuff shows up less and less with each episode.
By the end this is a pretty straightforward, and not very good, spy movie. But because it started as a comedy, it still uses a lot of ridiculous comedic ideas, which ultimately just makes it seem really stupid.
How did it all go so wrong? Perhaps because the show's creator, Dave Callaham, who wrote the pilot, only wrote one other episode (which was more comedic than most of the rest of the series). Some series just need to all be written by their creator (i.e. Gilmore Girls).
Anyway, definitely watch the pilot but don't bother with the rest of the season. -
mcgrew16 December 2017Very tightly written; lots of in-jokes, a parody in each episode of something Mr. Van Damme has ever been in (made all the better by he joining in with gusto.)
Each episode is very nearly its own action-movie, with shootouts, kicks, punches, and kung-fu-theater cliches, lovingly rendered and expertly done. Van Damme's acting is extremely good -- from slapstick, to tragedy, to simple world-weariness, to hopeless romantic, to tough-guy, and occasionally to characters (notably 'Filipe' in episode 4) that should be simply awful, but nevertheless, somehow, work.
Give it a try; you might be pleasantly surprised. -
wellthatswhatithinkanyway4 February 2018STAR RATING: ***** Saturday Night **** Friday Night *** Friday Morning ** Sunday Night * Monday Morning
SEASON ONE
In his heyday, Jean Claude Van Damme was one of the most renowned action stars, a cultural icon nearly on a par with Schwarzenegger or Stallone. But these days, his passion has gone as his star has waned, appearing in straight to DVD non-entities, helmed by directors with delusions of grandeur. However, unbeknownst (to us all!), he's also a real life undercover agent (well, Steven Seagal was a cop!) operating under the codename Jean Claude Van Johnson. His old employer calls him in to thwart a massive heroin dealing operation, all to be controlled by a giant weather controlling device (don't ask!) Along the way, he must reconnect with himself, and come to terms with unresolved issues from his past.
Self referentially sending himself and his true to life current career predicament up, Jean Claude Van Damme has taken a subversive step with this surrealist, post-modern series, in the vein of work such as Being John Malkovich and Pauly Shore is Dead. It's great that he's in on the joke and willingly takes pot shots at himself, in something that will surely generate more interest than another one of his generic, straight to DVD non-entities. And while it fires a few too many blanks to be considered great, it's generally on the ball and successful.
At times, it's quite funny, but it's never really as hilarious or impressive as it wants to be. It suffers as well from a slightly wobbly, inconsistent story that doesn't always flow as smoothly from one episode to the next. It's an ambitious project from VD, the sort of premise he first capitalized on with his regular appearances in those Cors Light adverts, but which, like this, were, pretty much hit and miss. The absurdity and outlandishness of the whole thing keeps it ticking along, though, more than enough to hold you for just about all six episodes.
While there's scope for improvement in the next series, this first one has been surprising and funny enough. And, yeah, I agree, Timecop is way better than Looper. *** -
khunkrumark14 June 2017(This review is based on the pilot episode only.)
A laugh-out-loud spoof of silly action movies - starring the biggest action movie star of them all.
No reviews for this? Come on, people!
Not long ago (2015) a brilliant comedy came out on NetFlix called 'The Grinder'. It ran for just one series as it was really too deadpan for mainstream American TV viewers... plus it was mercilessly buried under the weight of so many other new and original programs that were being spewed out at the time.
This time around, the theme is the same... take a world famous guy who is willing to laugh at himself and let the comedy begin. This time though, instead of Rob Lowe as a fake lawyer, Jean-Claude Van Damme plays the part of an aging and lovesick action hero... himself.
The first half hour episode is crammed full of inside jokes, movie references and great sight gags. If you blink you'll miss something. It's a helluva ride.
The whole idea is preposterous, of course, and that's part of the joke. Jean-Claude Van Damme is really a secret agent, saving the world and solving crimes while buried deep undercover as a famous action movie star. See what I mean? It's just too silly to be true, right?
Jean-Claude Van Damme is an absolute delight and takes it on the chin (literally) while on his mission to make the world a better place and win the love of his life back.
I hope that this series takes off but there seems to be not much reliable info about it. Amazon has made so much rubbish that it would be a crime to let this gem go by unfulfilled. -
reddiemurf816 November 2022I remember seeing the trailer for this, and was excited. I grew up watching JCVD movies.
I realize he did what he did, made his bed and had to lie in it for awhile, but he's one of the epitomized action stars of the last half century. He's also a pretty decent actor.
JCVD stars as himself. A semi-retired actor/martial artist who decides that retirement isn't working out so well. So he goes to see his old talent agent and says he wants back in the game,, except he's not talking about being JCVD. He means his alias - Johnson.
That's right. While JCVD was filming all sorts of action movies all of the world,, it was all just a cover. He was really an undercover spy!
Anyways,, this show was really good,, for about half (maybe a lil more) of the episodes. Then it got a lil bit odd,, then downright weird and hard to follow. I honestly don't know where they were trying to go with it. So,, you watch and form your own opinion. -
alexbb-5315419 December 2017I was looking forward to see Jean-Claude in JCVJ.
In short - the good things about JCVJ:- JC displays some nice acting (e.g. as the Time Cop guy)
- some episodes are fun
The not so good things about JCVJ:- some scenes/episodes are too long and boring
- fight scenes of female cast are quite bad
- JC looks most of the time really unhappy/bad - a litte bit like a depressed drug addict - some laugh/grin from JC and the series would have been much better.
Overall a 4/10 - I don't think there will be a second season, although with a better/smarter script and a re-energized JC this could have been a success.
@JC - more JChan slapstick, witty dialogues, and fast paced fights, with a less "depressed" action star could do the trick for JCVJ. -
srdone-9445212 September 2017Proving himself a far better actor than any of his action star contemporaries Jean Claude Van Damme headlines this Amazon pilot. If there is any justice it will get a full series and provide him with the career renaissance he so richly deserves. Without giving too much away our hero plays a fictionalised version of himself who specalises in secret missions in dangerous locations which he carries out while sneaking away from the movie set. Funny and poignant in equal measure this is accessible to anyone although some of the throwaway lines will go over the heads of those who aren't familiar with JCVD's back catalogue. Regardless of any previous familiarity with or feelings for the star this is worth a try. This could be the most impressive comeback since Lazarus.
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tyson_mcc5 May 2018Currently on my second watch of season 1 and there is nothing about this show I dislike. Absolutely hilarious. I really hope they make a season 2 some day. If you grew up on 80s-90s action flicks, you will love this show.
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bob the moo5 June 2018Jean-Claude van Damme is living an empty life of luxury, his best career days behind him now, and little in his life. A chance encounter with an old love, Vanessa, triggers him to reboot his career. However it is not his van Damme days that he wants back into, but his shadow career of van Johnson, where he used European-set DTV titles as a way to get inside enemy regimes and act as a secret agent who nobody would ever suspect.
I think probably everyone has seen the film JCVD, where the actor plays straight in a surprisingly brutal film which not only stripped him down as a person, but broke the 4th wall to give him on-screen time to reflect on his life and who he has been. It was a great moment and for the actor the film was a brave but rewarding choice. The TV show sort of extends that idea of putting van Damme into playing himself but not really playing himself; of joking about his career but celebrating it at the same time; of mocking his films but delivering what we all like about them. It is in no way as serious as JCVD, but it rides on from it. In doing so it is a real odd mix, and it is never totally clear that it knows how to balance all the things it is trying to do.
At times it is very silly, others it asks us to buy into the characters, and then at the same time it is funny. The same is true of the plot, which jumps all over the place and rarely totally works. The multiple personalities, the time-travel, the spy thriller, the personal reflection - all of it has a part, even if it never gels. That said, it is still an enjoyable season. It is well put together so that enough works to cover the weaknesses; the action and comedy all work, and the cast bring a lot to the screen. JCVD himself is great - he gets the scene, whatever it is. His comedic timing is good and he is still a very good physical presence - even when the scene is daft, he goes with it and makes it work. Kat Foster is more than just a pretty face; she has good chemistry with van Damme, and convinces as a character. Arias is a weird find but fun casting - hard to recognize him when compared to his other work. In support there are several familiar faces that add weight to the show and also do good turns - Rashad, Rota, Schiff, come to mind, but also a collection of goons and other such roles.
Overall it is a fun season that mostly plays for laughs and gets them. The general standard is amusement with fun action, but tries to have a narrative that works (even if it gets silly too often). Not sure where the ending really leaves them to go except to get more silly, but on the basis of this season I would like to watch more if they can reign that back and play to what they did well here. -
SnoopyStyle30 June 2022Jean-Claude Van Damme is a retired action movie star. He can no longer do the splits. He loves Pop-tarts and he's not Nicolas Cage. Looper is an inferior copy of Timecop. He runs into former love Vanessa (Kat Foster). He was actually secret agent Jean-Claude Van Johnson and Vanessa was his handler.
JCVD's older look is a bit shocking at first. He looks like a guy who's been through stuff. The secret agent stuff is secondary as far as I'm concerned. There is real pathos and actual humor in some of the quieter moments. Him cleaning his own statue is one. Those are great moments and the jewels in this crown. This show got canceled after one season with six episodes. -
light-rock25 May 2018I think it is important to chime in even though everything that needs to be said has already been said by the reviews that come before. Perhaps if we all lend our voice they will make more of these.
Did I see that right? Ridley Scott an executive producer. Good choice and kudos to recognizing whoever it was that had this idea and all the work to solidify the vision, and JC for being a good sport.
There are some subtle, some blatant, and some over the top opportunities for some ... how do you say ... stretching? of JC's acting range. I like how as he has matured in age, now at least there is some breathing room, a place to let his hair down.
This is some kind of a master class, but I have no idea how to categorize it.
Hahaha, how about this... in the words of Yoda: "Train yourself to let go of everything you fear to lose." -
wht1knight16 December 2017This is hilarious. Well crafted, good writing, good cast and camera work. Imagine, "Red". "The Expendables" and "True Lies" merged into 30 minute episodes. Very clever and well worth watching. The end credit music is very cool.
Great job Amazon. -
sakram13 October 2017I wouldn't be able to say much without spoiling anything, but whether you're a Jean-Claude Van Damme's fan or not, you'll definitely enjoy this. It says it's a series not a movie yet I am waiting 'til another episode, the first episode is top notch! This is JCVD for you ! You don't need a "fighting" Van Damme to have a Van Damme show, but a rather hilarious entertaining Van Damme !
This is for Episode 1's review. I will edit this once Episode 2 is released (on 15th of December as it seems, we waited so long haha).
9/10 -
markstylesnyc20 August 2018I've been a fan of Jean Claude. His acting was ok, and his moves were amazing.
To see him so aged and beat up.. kind of made me feel bad.for him. I guess this is better than 'infomercials'.. The series does have good qualities, pretty much everyone here gave it a real thumbs up..
But the episodes just seem a minor variation of the same theme over and over.. I watched about half the episodes and then gave up..
But you have to judge for yourself.. Real die hard fans will want to see it.. but gone forever is that physical perfection of his early films. -
mrdogcare11 February 2018Being the same age as JCVD I have seen most of his films as he was a pretty big movie star. This is not the JCVD I remember. This is the old and improved Amazon version. The series is a cross between "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind" and "Episodes" and it is laugh out loud funny. You can binge watch the entire first season in less time than an NFL game and it will be far more entertaining. Can't wait for Season 2!
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nikhil_mi220 December 2017This is a pleasantly surprising series.
I was unaware (Until I watched the First episode of JCVD) how much I missed Jean Claude Van Damme. His peculiar style of Martial Arts was what got me mostly through my childhood. And I expected a little more of the stuff from the series, but as I said I was pleasantly surprised because it was more. It was Hilarious at times, swashbuckling with action at some times and very very Heart warming towards the end. All the characters were beautiful and perfectly acted. The Villain is fantastic and probably the most convincing in the role.
Definitely a must watch for all the Van Damme Fans. -
stevejotom20 December 2017So as a 40 something, I have grown up in a time when JCVD was quite a star, never as big as Arnold or Bruce, more like a Rutger Hauer of the 90's.
This show is a brilliant concept and plays out perfectly. Jean Claude is a washed up actor who is at face value plodding along minding his own business. Meanwhile unbeknown to all he is a secret agent.
The show has a fascinating combination of reminding us of trade mark van damme moves and references previous movies in a laugh out laugh manner, at the same time it has a deeper inner meaning, which is in a way calling to the world to let Jean Claude come back to the limelight. Not as the tough guy but as who you see here, (If you watch it listen out for his last line in the last episode). It's clever, funny, entertaining and I hope to see more of this and also wish him all the best in getting new work that is this good.