PUT UP YOUR DUX EDITION
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Bloodsport is a guilty pleasure, but secretly a peak art movie for what it is going for. Albeit flawed in a significant way. More on that in a second.
It's the movie that put Van Damme on the map. It's derivative of the final act of the Karate Kid, which is a good thing. That tournament scene in KK is a fun short film that brings that classic to another level. So the idea of making a whole movie around that was a fun idea. The Bloodsport folks even brought Stan Bush to do music for the KUMITE! and the other memorable tracks. For better or worse, Trump even calls it one of his favorite film. So, hey! Something for everyone. Plus the great Bolo Yeung from Bruce Lee's Enter the Dragon plays the cult classic villain here Chong Li.
++THE PITCH++
So why mess with a sublime junk food movie? Because "it's based on a true story" and, well, that's questionable at best. Based upon the exploits of martial artist Frank Dux who has a history of tale tells and instability, and that's being generous. Yet, there is oddly drama about the idea of (possible) sociopathic personality like fighting his inner demons in the confines (or is prison?) of his mind and personal aspiring fantasies. Plus, the weird part is that some of it might be true? So... .that's interesting. This isn't Bigfoot after all. So, maybe?!
In any case, that preface leads to MY changes here. The movie is a bit of documentary about Frank Dux, so you can judge for yourself based upon real footage of the man sprinkled through out.
Fixed the title, as a quality of life improvement.
And tightened some edits.
The best part of this movie IMO was Chong Li having layers to him. He's not simply some cartoon villain though the movie tries to make him one at times. That is now gone in subtle tweaks here and there. He's just an egomaniac who breaks bad and as a warrior chooses the dark side when his martial art records and title as Champion is at risk.
Also, tightened up the action here and there. The Boba Fett of the movie Paco (played by a personal fan of Van Damme) steals the show and is so good as a ruthless competitive kickboxer. So he gets a couple lines of dialogue now and his fight with Van Damme is extended. A little re-ordering of action scenes also seems to help with the build up of the movie. The other man who steal the movie Jackson played by the great underrated Donald Gibbs (who you will remember as Ogre from Revenge of the Nerds) gets some more action in the ring. His fight with Chong Li also is extended, giving Chong a real fight.
I included the silly dance from Kickboxer, which is derivative of this already derirative movie, so that might bug some people. But, hey, no one is confusing these cheese ball films with Grapes of Wrath. So I think it is forgivable.
The end credits are a bit more thoughtful, with better end cards about the fate of the enigmatic (likely full of crap) Frank Dux that removes the bullshit but still gives the man the credit he is due.
+++ FINAL THOUGHTS+++
I almost feel dirty for writing THIS much about Blood Sport of all movies, but it surprised me as a kid. It was a personal favorite of mine. And it is Van Damme's second best movie (Time Cop was his one good true Hollywood movie for the rest of us IMAO).
So kick back, take a ride back to the 80s for a nostalgia and enjoy this hidden gem even if it may be a diamond made of glass.
