Today’s quick review: Bloodsport. Frank Dux (Jean-Claude Van Damme), a martial artist trained by a Japanese master (Roy Chiao), travels to Hong Kong to compete in the Kumite, a full-contact martial arts tournament that attracts some of the best fighters in the world. There he makes fast friends with Ray Jackson (Donald Gibb), a brash American fighter, and squares off against Chong Li (Bolo Yeung), the reigning champion and a killer in the ring.
Bloodsport is a martial arts action movie about an American soldier who enters a brutal underground fighting tournament. Jean-Claude Van Damme shows off his athletic prowess as Frank Dux, a disciplined fighter determined to win the tournament and make his master proud. Bloodsport delivers exactly what it promises but not much more. The plot is straightforward and the characters are simple, but the stunts make it worth a watch for martial arts fans.
Bloodsport sticks to the basics. The story covers Frank’s training, the events of the tournament, and a bare-bones subplot about Frank’s absence from the Army. The action takes place almost exclusively inside the ring, in fair but violent one-on-one matches that showcase a variety of fighting styles. The fights are easily the film’s best feature. The matchups are usually interesting, and the stunts have a nice sense of impact to them.
Bloodsport is a cleanly executed martial arts movie with solid stunt work, a fine protagonist, and no real frills. Fans of tournament-style martial arts movies will get exactly what they are hoping for. Those who prefer brawling, weapons, or more fanciful action will want to approach with caution. For a similar martial arts movie starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, try Kickboxer. For a modern take on underground fighting, try Man of Tai Chi.
6.8 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for a simple story with some satisfying action.