Van Damme kicks ass and doesn't talk much - as nature intended! (AWOL (DVD))

Member Name: pmcds

Product:	AWOL (DVD)
Date:	19/09/09 (39 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Decent enough plot, good fight choreography

Disadvantages: Nothing special

A review of the film only.

This Jean-Claude Van Damme film features the best of the Muscles from Brussels: when he's silent. The man first got into the movie scene because of his martial arts skills, and the moments where he lets his limbs do the talking are by far and away the best in his films.

That he adds a certain charisma became apparent in the later films, but in the earlier ones such as this one, he has a rather dull and disinterested expression. As Foreign Legion deserter Lyon Gaultier, he is silent and deadly, as he seeks to support his dead brother's family by digging and finding out what happened. He uncovers an underground fighting circuit, and pretty soon becomes the hottest fighter around.

The seedy world of underground fighting meets its match in this film, with Gaultier's morals matching his fighting skills. Other cast members are relied upon for the acting skills, which aren't quite so necessary, as Van Damme is a bit bland. When he does speak, it's okay, but at thsi stage, the less the better.

The film itself has a believable basic plot, from which it is easy to provide a number of scenes where he gets to fight. There are some streetfighting scenes as well as the arranged fights, and some villains who are ruthless. The hulking figure of Russell (Brian Thompson) is always the menacing sidekick of sexy, sassy fight promoter and organiser Cynthia (Deborah Rennard), and Gaultier finds an ally in Joshua, his kind of coach who ends up mentoring him in his fights.

It's an entertaining film, with the plot carrying messages of strong family loyalty and what's right and wrong. It keeps you watching through the film, and doesn't bore, and this is mainly because it doesn't try to do too much. Basically, it's a chance for Van Damme to showcase his martial arts talents and a few other guys to mouth off from time to time.

AWOL is available on DVD for around the £5 mark, and is worth a watch if you want something you don't have to concentrate on to understand. I caught it on TV the other night, and so didn't catch any extras to the film, although I can't imagine there would be anything particuarly groundbreaking or amazing they would want to showcase in the extras anyway.

Summary: Decent Van Damme film with plenty of action