Bloodsport (1988) User Reviews (311)

At least Van Damme is the real deal.

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 27 May 2019]

When it debuted, "Bloodsport" was to have been a story of the famed martial artist and miltary hero, Frank Dux. According to Dux, he won the ultra-secret 'Kumite'...a no holds barred martial arts international competition. He also was a top secret operative for the military and went on all sorts of scary missions in various countries. Unfortunately, pretty much none of Dux's claims turned out to be true! However, I assume no one other than Dux knew it at the time AND the star of "Bloodsport", Jean-Claude Van Damme, was no phony--having been a very accomplished full-contact fighter with championships to his credit. So, while the story turns out to be a load of crap, you cannot fault Van Damme and it's among his best films.

The lead up to Dux (Van Damme) going to the Kumite is confusing....like two separate movies tossed together. One shows him running away from the army to fight in the competition. Another shows him working for years with his Master to get ready for the competition! This was confusing and the chronology made no sense.

Once the film heads overseas to the Kumite, things improve considerably. Dux strikes up a friendship with a nice but dopey lug who is also in the Kumite (Donald Gibb). Ultimately, an insanely sociopathic competitor unleashes EVERYTHING on the lug and leaves him a battered mess. And, ultimately, Dux must also fight this Chong Li. Is such an ignominious ending also in store for Dux as well?

While I am not a huge fan of the Van Damme films, he did make some good ones and his martial arts skills are truly amazing. If you watch "Bloodsport", you'll see what I mean. Van Damme is a very impressive athlete instead of just being some actor....and his athletic skills are far superior to his acting skills. Seeing his splits and many of the action scenes leave you breathless!

So is the film itself any good? After all, we know now that nobody (other than Dux) believes the story to be true. Well, despite the spotty background to Dux and the film, it is a very good film for the genre. Like many 80s films, it has montages, 80s pop music, slow-motion and all the standard cliches...but it does them all so well and Van Damme is so good in the story. Overall, a surprisingly good film that holds up well today.

If you haven't yet, see the much-imitated but never duplicated charm of Bloodsport.

[tarbosh22000 · 7/10 · 8 October 2011]

It's definitely time we reviewed this classic! As you surely know, Frank Dux (Van Damme) is an "American" martial artist who has gone through rigorous training since he was a kid by his master Tanaka (Chiao). When Frank takes part in the most underground, no-holds-barred, to-the-death fighting tournament in the world, the Kumite, most people try to stop him. That includes love interest Janice Kent (Ayres), and Dux's army superiors Helmer (Burton) and Rawlins (Whitaker). But Dux becomes buddies with Ray Jackson (Gibb), a charismatic tough man, and they support each other. But will anyone have what it takes to defeat the sinister, murderous fighter Chong Li (Bolo)? Man, did Cannon really hit one out of the park this time. Not only did it set the careers of Van Damme and Forest Whitaker in motion, it almost singlehandedly set the mold for all the many Punchfighters to come. Of course, to the Bloodsport people, it's not just fighting, it's a "martial science". I guess martial arts are just too lowbrow for them. The Kumite has no weight divisions, so hulking brutes fight against skinny wimps without a second thought. Guys even have quirky, unique styles, and even the "knockoffs" are quality productions - look at Shootfighter (1992). And the "knockoff" even spawned a sequel! Such is the awesome power of Bloodsport. But they say the word "Kumite" many times, so that's this movie's version of Best of the Best 2 (1993)'s constant repetition of the word "Brakus". When these action movie people come up with a good word, they really don't let you forget it. JCVD never gets tired of showing us that he can spread his legs widely (and weirdly), and he has plenty of funny facial expressions. He's supposed to be American, but his accent is pretty thick - "Belglish" is a bit more like it. He and Ogre have good chemistry together. Sure, Gibb is great, and he brings the movie up, but what would it be like had the role been played by Jack S. Daniels? But Van Damme as the "spiritual warrior" and Gibb as the brash basher is a winning combo. It's colorful, it's fun, it's entertaining, and it's fast paced. It also has some great songs and Hong Kong locations. What more could you ask for? Also there are some first-generation tasers on display, as well as other cool 80's stuff like the Karate Champ arcade game. If you haven't yet, see the much-imitated but never duplicated charm of Bloodsport.

Bloodsport : A Story Of Honor

[dk777 · 8/10 · 11 February 2021]

An underrated and inspiring film for all martial arts fans.

Van Damme shines here because this role is perfect for him. He doesn't need a stuntman, because he performs all the scenes himself. The choreography is good, as is the directing itself.

The characters are fun, and that's what makes this movie so good. Bolo Yeung is absolutely brilliant and intimidating as the villain Chong Li. The film definitely has charm and possesses some timeless quality.

The film is interesting for several reasons, not only as a film about martial arts, but also as a drama that speaks in its simple way about human emotions. It is easy to identify with the characters, because they are portrayed humanly, emotionally and above all through the prism of the friendship. Jean Claude Van Damme is first and foremost an athlete, not an actor, and this film is perfect for him and maybe that's why everything here works as it should.

This film impressed me because of its charm and simplicity and because it reflects the spirit of another time. The film has truly fulfilled its primary task, it is entertaining and easy to watch. What matters is that this movie can be watched many times and is always just as fun.

Courage, loyalty, friendship and honor are the values that this film celebrates and that in itself is commendable.

A cinematic work that definitely deserves its place in the history of martial arts films.

Van Dammes VS Bolo Yeung for the first time.

[martymaster · 21 January 2002]

This movie all about fighting,and the fact that it is based on a true story just makes it better. This is the first time Van Damme fights Bolo Yeung and it is a spectacular fight he also fights him in Double impact. Bolo is the perfect evil guy and his fighting style is one of a kind.

They dont make movies like this anymore. Bad acting and story,but you gotto love it anyway.

One of the Best Van Damme´s Films

[claudio_carvalho · 7/10 · 13 February 2018]

The military Frank Dux (Jean Claude Van Damme) abandons his base to participate in the Kumite, a dangerous secret competition in Hong Kong. Before embarking in the airplane, Frank visits his martial arts trainer Senzo Tanaka (Roy Chiao), who is terminal, and promises to win the tournament to honor him. Frank travels to Hong Kong and befriends the fighter Ray Jackson (Donald Gibb) that is lodged in the same hotel and has a love affair with the journalist Janice Kent (Leah Ayres). However the American officers Helmer (Norman Burton) and Rawlins (Forest Whitaker) chase him to bring home back to the base without injuries. Meanwhile Frank and the dirty Japanese fighter Chong Li (Bolo Yeung), who won the last Kumite, are winning their fights and coming to the ultimate fight.

"Bloodsport" is an early Van Damme´s film and also one of his best films ever, disclosing the refuted story of the American martial artist Frank Dux. The screenplay is funny and engaging with excellent fight choreography. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "O Grande Dragão Branco" ("The Great White Dragon")

Quick Reviews!!

[malkane316 · 7/10 · 4 May 2005]

Although it has aged quite badly as most films of this type from the eighties have, Blood Sport is a favourite from my youth and is one of Van Damme's best early efforts. There are no strings and no CG here so the fights are all the more impressive, and it is always refreshing to return to those days. The plot and characters may be simple, some of the acting may be amateurish, and the music may be dodgy but Bloodsport remains an enjoyable no-brainer for fans of the star or genre.

Van Damme stars as Frank Dux, a soldier in the US Army. He has been trained by Tanaka all his life in martial arts, and wishes to travel to the infamous Kumite tournament in Hong Kong to avenge his friend's death. The Kumite is a tournament which attracts the best and most vicious fighters from around the world, many of whom are seriously injured or killed while taking part. Dux breaks orders and travels to Hong Kong, but two soldiers follow him in an attempt to bring him back. There he meets Ray Jackson, a fellow fighter and Janice Kent, a reporter trying to get an inside scoop on the tournament. From there we see many fights as Dux progresses in the tournament whose defending Champion Chong Li (Bolo Leung) is a deadly killer. Naturally they meet in the final.

Once the plot devices of revenge and honour are put in place all we have to do is sit back and watch the fights. They are well-staged, there is a fair amount of violence, some humour, and the main cast do as well as could be expected. This is a must for Van Damme fans, but there will be little for anyone who does not watch martial arts movies.

7 out of 10

A cult classic best martial arts Van Damme Style movie!

[ivo-cobra8 · 10/10 · 29 December 2015]

Bloodsport (1988) is my favorite action Van Damme movie. It was the first movie I ever saw about Van Damme that introduced me in to his movies. This is the film I grew up with it, I have first see it, when I was 8 years old! I love this movie to death! In my opinion is Van Damme's best martial arts film! Beside Hard Target, Bloodsport is one of his best movies till date. I Love it so much. Best martial arts movie, is never boring, is fast and entertaining and It is awesome seriously. And I still love it today, Bloodsport also introduced me in to martial arts. Jean Claude Van Damme's Bloodsport is still today it's best. After this movie there were a few copycat movies that copy the idea from this movie. Like were Bloodfight (1989) with Bolo Yeung returning, with the same name, but playing different character from the Bloodsport and Bloodfist (1989) with World Kickboxing champion Don "The Dragon" Wilson. I also love the music from this movie lately it helps me a lot the song "On My Own - Alone", I also love the song "Fight to Survive".

This is my favorite tournament fighting film too. This film also inspired the video game Mortal Kombat and for that? This film is twice as awesome to me. This is a film where you see JCVD at his peak and this is my second favorite JCVD flick after Hard Target and Universal Soldier. It holds up really well to this day and it's a shame the film does not have a special edition on DVD and Blu Ray. The film does have a big cult following so it not getting any features to this day is lame. Great concept, great cast, charismatic characters, bad ass fights, and a kick ass soundtrack. This is definitely one of the best martial arts flicks ever made without a doubt for me. Fell in love with the film ever since I saw it on VHS when I was a kid.

As for the Bloodsport sequels? For the most part? They all suck. They can't even hold a candle to this film. Bloodsport is a classic and a fight that is worth watching anytime, anywhere. I still own this movie on VHS and on Blu-ray. I don't have the DVD I don't need it. I am going to say it again I love this movie to death, it is my childhood JCVD film and I grew up with it. I have always enjoy it. It has a real bloody bad-ass fights. Van Damme and Yeung kicks fighters to the ground. Original this movie was almost never released, but Van Damme helped edit the film so that it could be released, this movie is praised and loved all over the World including Asia, USA and East Europe. The real Frank Dux was the fighting coordinator for this film. When Jean-Claude Van Damme was cast, Dux announced that Van Damme wasn't nearly in good enough shape, and put him through a 3-month training program. Van Damme called those three months "the hardest training of his life" - this despite being a world-championship martial artist in his own right.

It does feel good to go re-watch films like this especially dealing with the very sad fact that films like this classic aren't made anymore and seeing Van Damme these days on film, he just seems to stone faced or depressed. I have enjoyed training sequences, flashback sequences on Frank Dux's earlier childhood life and a life of a young man. The chase sequences where Helmer and Rawlis are chasing Dux was hilarious and very entertaining. Chong Li, in my opinion, is one of the best non horror villains out there. My personal favorite JCVD villain and my favorite martial arts villain. Also, though it isn't the same character; almost like a bizarro world version, another Chong Li appears in a movie called Bloodfight (Bloodsport knockoff) played by Bolo Yeung. Van Damme maybe had some problems in his later years, but I always admired him for everything he did to make this movie well known back in '88, from re-editing the original cut to promoting the movie by putting posters of it himself in cinemas. This movie for me is a perfect 10, I don't care what anyone says.

A must for martial arts aficionados.

[Hey_Sweden · 7/10 · 30 December 2014]

In this early starring vehicle, Jean-Claude Van Damme plays the real-life Frank W. Dux (as in, "Put up your Dux!"). Frank's an American soldier who goes A. W. O. L. in order to travel to Hong Kong and participate in the Kumite, a brutal, full contact martial arts tournament. It's so brutal, in fact, that some who enter the contest don't make it out alive. While Frank is pursued by government agents (played by Norman Burton and Forest Whitaker) who mean to take him back to the U. S., he makes friends with amiable giant Jackson (Donald Gibb) and attempts to romance reporter Janice Kent (Leah Ayres).

There isn't much in terms of story throughout this relatively brief movie (93 minutes all told), but devotees of the action genre will get what they aim to see. "Bloodsport" is deftly edited, adequately paced, effectively gory at times, and features enough intense fighting to make it suitable entertainment. Van Damme may not have been much of an actor at this point, but he was already displaying that easygoing charm that has served him well. Gibb, best known as Ogre in "Revenge of the Nerds", delivers a lively performance as his new buddy. Ms. Ayres ("The Burning") does a decent job as the requisite romantic interest and certainly is very easy on the eyes. Burton and Whitaker are good as the government guys just trying to do their jobs; it's fun to see them attend the final matches and actually start enjoying the spectacle. Genre legend Bolo Yeung is a perfect villain as Chong Li, the reigning champion of the Kumite who's developed an enormous ego. Roy Chiao (Bruce Lee's "Game of Death") as Frank's mentor Tanaka and Philip Chan ("Double Impact") as police captain Chen are excellent in support. By the time of the big confrontation / fight at the end, sufficient rooting interest has been generated.

Just before the end credits, we get a summary of the accomplishments in the real Frank Dux's life - a lot of which turned out to be total B. S.!

Seven out of 10.

Cult

[australianfreak1 · 9/10 · 18 October 2005]

I love this man. His acting wasn't very good. (I do think though it improved over time... a little.)

Bloodsport was inspiration for a whole generation to start learning martial arts. A Cult movie. I grew up some of my life in Asia and it amuses me to see those buff cliché white men jumping around through colourful, but grubby marketplaces/ back alleys. In fact the whole movie is simple and has even a nice tidy cliché structure: Man starts terribly, improves through tough training and develops into sexy fighting machine. Some people who commented on this movie said he is no Bruce Lee. But that is the beauty of it. He is somebody from a western country trying to measure up and fit into the eastern culture. Good stuff.

Good Fun! Van Damme's Best?

[barreljumpersblog · 7/10 · 11 August 2015]

Recently I revisited Bloodsport for the first time since my initial viewing at the theater in 1988. Surprisingly, the movie holds up well...far better than I was expecting...and probably better than the dubious history of real-life fighter(?) Fred Dux.

Upon my initial viewing one of my problems with Bloodsport was the lack of flashy fighting sequences. But, in today's MMA world the fights look pretty darn good and with the exception of the bouncy-guy and the finale with the over-the-top acting, the rest of the fighting rings surprisingly realistic.

Bloodsport was VanDamme's first movie and it still holds up as one of his best. I have a soft-spot in my heart for Timecop as well. If you're in the mood for a simple bubblegum movie on a Friday night, then this is a great flashback to the hey-day of 1980s action movies. The pod-cast Don and his Amazing Friend recently did an episode reviewing the movie which is worth listening to (www.donandhisamazingfriend.com).

Schlock but fun

[bairdt-85574 · 4/10 · 12 June 2020]

Van Damme can't act to save himself but this isn't supposed to be highbrow. It's a piece of pure ham but as good a waste of time as you're likely to get.

Great Martial Arts Movie from the 80's

[sveknu · 10/10 · 12 May 2005]

I had never seen a van Damme-movie before this one. And oh boy, I was surprised in a really positive way. The best thing about this movie is that it's from the 80's. That means really GREAT music, and in this movie, the music makes up a really magnificent atmosphere for the viewer through the whole film. Of course, the fighting is good. It's not just good, it's great. It was really exciting to see different fighting styles from all over the world. And Bolo Yeung did a really great job as the villain. He barely talks, but shows with his behavior that he is Mr. ruthless himself. The final fight with van Dammes trademark, the 360-kick, shown several times in slow motion, is a feast for the eye. Hong Kong is the location for the movie, and the city fits perfectly for it. Enjoy!

Most memorable and iconic martial art characters, ever.

[bosundave121 · 7/10 · 17 October 2021]

Yes, 6.8 to a 7.0, that is being generous. Still, it is my favorite Van Damn film. And it is watchable over and over again every few years. Timeless characters. You can not forget them. Classic Van Damme at his peak level of physical fitness. Great 80's musical score. 1980's was a GREAT decade for entertaining films that hold up over time. Those films represent a time when many of us were also young and good looking... way back then.

Can people please stop giving bad movies 10 stars?

[Dave_mech · 2/10 · 16 August 2007]

How can you give a 10 to a movie like this one, while crouching tiger hidden dragon for example has MUCH MUCH MUCH better fight scenes and much better acting etc. etc.

This is one of the worst fighting movies ever made. The fighting scenes are so slow and hacky-tacky. And unbelievable unrealistic. And then they claim this story actually happened haha.

Come on guys, go see some real fighting movies. Like Bruce Lee movies. Not very good acting either but at least the fighting scenes rule.

This movie is beyond crap. I can't even believe there is a second movie. And again, stop giving movies like this 10 stars, if you like it give it a 6. It's not a 10 star movie, keep IMDb honest!

'best martial arts film of the century'

[Deceiver · 24 January 1999]

Bloodsport is, and always will be, Van Damme's greatest display of his martial talent. While it seems to have a similar storyline to other martial arts films, this one differs in that it is based on the true events of Frank Dux, who also assisted the fighters for this movie.

Anyone at all that doubts Van Damme's talent as a fighter, should see this film.

Bolo Yeung also makes a spectacular appearance as the evil one in the tournament. He acts about as cruel and heartless as one can get, and he makes the perfect climax for the film.

If you are after a good quality martial arts film, and you haven't seen Bloodsport, then this is the one for you. If you have seen it, then you will know why it deserves the title of 'best martial arts film of the century'.

Good Fun

[evilhinata · 7/10 · 19 April 2005]

The movie is good fun at its best. The storyline is average, the acting is okay, but I had a good time watching it, and that is what counts. As Frank Dux,Jean-Claude Van Damme , enters the Kumite, an illegal martial arts tournament. The police are after him, his competition is fierce and there is no mercy where he is heading. Each fighter has his own style of fighting. This is what makes this movie the most interesting. Being a martial arts film, this is probably one of the most famous ones, and for Jean-Claude Van Damme, his best movie. Well recommended if you are a fan of the genre, other wise you might be disappointed. This is Jean-Claude at his best!!

Jean Claude Van Damme's first starring role

[mm-39 · 7/10 · 10 February 2002]

If you like Karate, you will love this. I like the fight scenes, and the bad guy in the film is always a bad guy in Karate movies. ( ie Enter The Dragon) It is a bit sloppy in spots, but considering the budget you can not hit this film too hard. It is a good film to see if your mad or angry at someone.

Van Damme does the Kumite

[dee.reid · 7/10 · 28 May 2006]

"Bloodsport," the 1988 debut vehicle of Belgian martial artist and "actor" Jean-Claude Van Damme, opens with one of the most impressive montages of fighters preparing for the Kumite, an illegal full-contact mixed martial arts tournament held in Hong Kong. It gets the audience ready for the bloodiest cultural display of martial arts combat in decades.

We're told that there are three ways to win a match in the Kumite:

1) You knock the guy out

2) The opponent gives up and shouts "matte," which is like saying uncle

3) You knock the other fighter right off the mat

Enter into the picture, clean-shaved United States military intelligence officer Frank Dux (Van Damme), of whom this film's story is supposedly based off of. Dux became the first Westerner to win the Kumite, after going AWOL from his post (and two officers including Norman Burton and an underused Forest Whitaker are dispatched to retrieve him), and used his superior combat training, indomitable spirit, and iron will to defeat the legions of vicious opponents sent his way. Dux (like, "put up your dukes") is first introduced as a teenager, coming under the tutelage of a venerable martial arts master who instructs the young man in a brutal regiment of non-stop combative training to prepare him for the Kumite.

Once in Hong Kong, Dux befriends fellow American Ray Jackson (Donald Gibb), also a Kumite fighter, and the two prepare for combat. There is a lot of mystery surrounding this illegal martial arts tournament, which has its origins in ancient Chinese culture. No one will talk about it, especially to nosy reporters like Janice Kent (Leah Ayres), much less pick fights outside the ring, which would result in an automatic disqualification if a brawl took place outside the Kumite.

When it comes time for the action of the great tournament, 40 or so fighters look over one another, eager in anticipation of jumping into the ring and duking it out. But Dux and Ray are prepared, but nothing can ready them for the hulking South Korean fighter and current Kumite champ Chong Li ("Enter the Dragon" Bolo Yeung), who has a reputation for fighting dirty and is rumored to have once killed one of his opponents.

The validity of Dux's story and military background have come under intense scrutiny in recent years but I'm not paying any attention to it. All I can do is pay attention to what's in front of me. "Bloodsport" is a perfect star-making vehicle for the Muscles From Brussels, though some studio execs didn't think so. Van Damme had to fight like there was no tomorrow to get "Bloodsport" released and even then, the critics were still not impressed but who cares? It's no where near as bad as it was made out to be, it still made the man a star, and the basis for one of my favorite fighters from "Mortal Kombat," Johnny Cage.

Director Newt Arnold keeps a fine pace but the only things that seem to hold it back are some cheesy moments of levity and Van Damme's acting (surprise, surprise). Again, who cares? "Bloodsport" is a martial arts movie, first and foremost - why a need for acting? When the combat begins (with action choreographed by the real-life Dux himself), blood flows as one fighter after the other is knocked out leaving a titanic duel between only-standing Dux to duke it out with the brutal Chong Li. In between, though, we see many great styles from all over the world including straight-up Chinese gong-fu, Karate, Hapkido (my own current style of training), Capoeira, Sumo, Monkey, Muay Thai, and some good old-fashioned American brawling.

Even in recent years, "Bloodsport" is still a wholly decent affair that does get bogged down in some cheap Hollywood theatrics. Van Damme doesn't seem to be fairing well either in these times, but we still have this film and some of his good earlier works to appreciate.

7/10

best martial arts movie of all time

[leestallion55 · 10/10 · 17 November 2006]

If you look at the rating for this film it is only 5.8 percent at present that is a serious understatement of this films genius. This film deserves a much more higher rating. Okay its not an Oscar winner for acting, but who cares! its not about acting its about true martial arts and fighting on the big screen and Bloodsport brings this to you superbly. One of my favourite movies it also provides the Rocky pump, as in like Rocky it has the emotion both in action and through the films music and the fighting makes you want to get up and starting punching and kicking anything! and you don't get that sort of feeling with many films. Rocky had it and Bloodsport has it, and if a fighting film makes you get up and fight your living room wall then its a winner! Van Damme is excellent, his fighting manoeuvres are breathtaking, the range of different styles of fighters is great and well know martial artist Bolo Yeung's destruction of all opponents is wonderfully filmed, and as Van Dammes main contender we have a great adventure. All the fighters give great performances and the fighting scenes are superb. Great performance from big Donald Gibb as the hilarious Ray Jackson. His running punch on his first opponent is worth watching for that alone! Donald Gibb is excellent and brings humour to the role as well as some excellent and sometimes hilarious no nonsense fighting! The story too is superb, the kumite bringing the worlds greatest fighters together and by invitation only and the location also brilliant. Hiden in the depths of Hong Kong badlands. A winner in all departments. I remember watching this with friends and going out in the garden for some Bloodsport kicking and punching well not each other, thin air! but it makes you feel alive. Not many films do that. 10/10 for me. Fantastic film!

A Mermorable Classic

[alstott36 · 7/10 · 29 July 2006]

I remember watching this in the 80's as a kid and loving it. After it disappeared for a while I always had fond memories but grew out of these action films as I got older. Until its DVD release I'd forgotten that it was a half decent movie and got to relive old memories. In my opinion its probably the only good movie Van Dam stars in before he was considered an actor.

The fight scenes are pretty spectacular for an 80's movie and the plot is predictable but isn't why one watches the film. Its for the villain Chong Li (Bolo Yeung) and he is definitely the bad guy. Bolo Yeung's stage presence and impressive physique is the major standout of the film along with some very fast well camera captured spin kicks by Van Dam. No computer enhancement in those days and i wonder if anyone was hurt whilst filming?

Anyway this is my favorite martial arts film of all time (which aren't many) and appears somewhat realistic. Its a short feel good film about the modest guy (Van Dam) who comes out on top, avenging his friend who gets a battering (which he deserved) and despite being handicapped by his opponent (won't give it away) comes out on top.

A classic popcorn movie of the 80's that you watch for the fight scenes and something to own for old times sake.

Terrible.....even the martial arts is bad

[matt-geistfeld · 2/10 · 13 March 2006]

I can't find a movie that could better depict the worst movie making in the world. Even an Ed Wood movie is better at its worst then Bloodsports. I actually have to use ten lines to describe how bad this movie is. The fact that it is so outrageously unrealistic and the martial arts so patheically....well pathetic, is only cracking the surface of how bad this movie is. Said to be a man's movie.....only a man who can find nothing but an unworthy, terrible action movie would watch this instead. While respect must be given to Jean in other movies I must try hard and harder to forgive him for such a weak attempt in trying to bring martial arts to the big screen. Thank goodness he has improved.

Look at it like this!!!

[fake_plastic_trees_ · 9/10 · 3 October 2005]

Being a film watcher that looks for great acting, i surprised myself when i enjoyed this film.

Being more a film fan than a martial arts fan i was expecting to be writing a bad review for this flick. No one can deny that van damme is a great martial artist, but his acting is so so the opposite.

You have to look at it as a martial arts film (which it is) and accept the stunning fight sequences (especially the final fight scene which was very well choreographed) the film offers.

Yes, people will talk about how bad his acting may be, but what people forget is that he is a martial artist more than an actor. Movies are just the way he can express his great skills to an audience.

I recommend this film to any martial arts fan but not so much to anyone looking for a compelling dramatic, mystical thriller because you will be disappointed.

On all it's a basic, pure, martial arts film that i feel is underrated.

Really good action movie

[monkey-man · 7/10 · 13 August 2005]

I am a fan of the great action star Jean-Claud Van Damme and this movie by far is one of his best movies along side his other great action movies like Kickboxer,Nowhere to Run,Timecop,wake Of Death and Sudden Death.This movie is good and there are heaps of great fight scenes all through out this movie and there are some good actors and actress in this movie like Forest Whitaker who is a really good actor,Leah Ayres,Donald Gibb from the movie Revenge Of The Nerds,Norman Burton and Bolo Yeung.

Over all this movie is good and it never gets boring my rating is 7 out of 10.

The extra star was for a childhood memory

[chrislambert-15196 · 2/10 · 13 January 2020]

Let's not beat around the bush, this is one of the worst films ever made. It was a time where it was acceptable but not in today's standards. The acting is atrocious and the fight choreography is beyond bad. Films made like this today would not see the light of day. Can all the morons stop rating this 10/10 because your opinion is worthless.

Probably the best Martial Arts movie, ever !!

[power-10 · 29 September 1999]

Bloodsport is an excellent movie, which includes everything a martial arts fan can possibly dream off... Great fight-choreography, excellent filming, fine music and a good story. The movie takes you to a world of fighting where "only the strongest wins". Jean Claude van Damme as Frank Dux, a young, talented martial artist. This was THE movie for van Damme, beside Kickboxer, he has never preformed so well.

Watch & Enjoy !!