Directed by:
Jean-Claude Van DammeScreenplay:
Paul MonesCinematography:
David GribbleComposer:
Randy EdelmanCast:
Jean-Claude Van Damme, Roger Moore, James Remar, Janet Gunn, Aki Aleong, Louis Mandylor, Ryan Cutrona, Jack McGee, Abdel Qissi, Kristopher Van Varenberg (more)VOD (1)
Plots(1)
When agile street thug Chris Dubois decides to take a trip around the world, he has no idea how extraordinary his adventure will become. Dubois is first kidnapped and enslaved by gun runners, but fortunately, he is rescued by Dobbs, a pirate. Dobbs turns him over to Khao, Tibet's kickboxing master. Khao trains Dubois in the martial arts, with Dubois becoming so skilled, he enters the "Ghan-gheng," an ancient fighting tournament. Only the best combatants from around the globe can compete in the event, which reflects the various fighting styles of its multi-cultural participants. Chris finds that the Ghan-gheng tests him mentally, physically, and even morally. Does he have enough of what it takes to win it all? (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Reviews (1)
The screenwriter might be a jerk, but the arena is so mysterious and captivating that I cannot rate it worse than average. It captivates mainly thanks to the showcase of all possible nationalities and fighting styles. The action itself is solid, the fights are dynamically shot and decently scored. The ending is very over-the-top, but it can still be endured. Jean Claude Van Damme showcases his routine and does not deviate from his mediocrity. The music by Randy Edelman is quite solid. On the other hand, Roger Moore is a disappointment. His character is poorly written, and he himself does not deliver a particularly dazzling performance. The New York setting is nothing special, so the only thing that truly dazzles is the aforementioned tournament.
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