Product Description

JEAN-CLAUDE VAN DAMME SQUARE OFF AGAINST HIS DEADLIEST OPPONENT YET-HIMSELF-WHEN HE STARS AS BOTH A HEINOUS SERIAL KILLER AND THE REPLICATED CLONE THAT REPRESENTS THE AUTHORITY'S BEST AND ONLY CHANCE AT CAPTURING THIS MAD KILLER ON THE LOOSE.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #18721 in DVD
• Brand: LIONS GATE HOME ENT.
• Released on: 2001-10-16
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• ESRB Rating: Teen
• Formats: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: Spanish
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: 5.00 pounds
• Running time: 100 minutes

Amazon.com
Jean-Claude Van Damme (star of Timecop and Universal Soldier) plays two roles in this surprisingly good action thriller. Replicant also stars Michael Rooker (of Henry, Portrait of a Serial Killer, The Replacement Killers) as Jake Riley, a cop who's been tracking a serial killer called "The Torch" (Van Damme). Frustrated, Riley decides to retire--and the National Security Department makes him an offer: they've cloned "The Torch" as part of a program to track down terrorists; they'll turn this replicant (Van Damme again, of course) over to Riley as a sort of test run for the program. The idea is that the replicant will slowly recall the original person's memories and lead the cops to the original. It's ridiculous, but no more ridiculous than the setup for the highly successful Face/Off, and it works just as well as the engine for an effective action flick. What makes Replicant more unusual is that the writers actually put some thought into the relationship between Riley and the replicant, which starts to mirror parent-child relationships in emotionally complex ways. Furthermore, while it's no surprise that Rooker gives a solid performance, it is surprising that Van Damme does just as good a job in both of his roles--he's perfectly creepy as the serial killer and genuinely affecting as the quickly developing replicant, projecting a mixture of innocence and turmoil. Replicant was directed by Hong Kong director Ringo Lam, the man behind Full Contact and City on Fire. He was clearly working on a limited budget, but the movie looks good, moves with lean efficiency, and has some riveting action sequences and good quality effects--the scenes where Van Damme (inevitably!) fights himself are completely convincing. A satisfying movie. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews

Surprisingly Very Good- Van Damme Delivers
Jean-Claude Van Damme has reunited with Director Ringo Lam (Maximum Risk) for the movie "Replicant." To my surprise, this movie delivers a powerful punch and why it did not get a theatrical release in the United States is unknown. However, it deserved one. This is not the average straight to video/DVD type of movie. The production values are high and the acting by Rooker and Van Damme is very good. Actually, it is Van Damme's best performance ever and is the caliber of any action star in the "A" market today.

Van Damme plays a convincing serial Killer and Clone who is directed to track him down. Both characters are well acted. He, for once, does not over act in two roles which could have been very easy to do. Rooker plays a street cop who is obessed with catching the killer. His character is developed well for an action flick and the two pull if off nicely.

The fight scenes are terrific and the stunts are great. For action fans-this film is a must. For others, it may not be worth the purchase, but is well worth the showing. You will be entertained.

One of Van Damme's best
First of all, this movie should have been released theatrically instead of going straight to Video. But since the DVD is here, Van Damme's fans (and action fans) should check it out. It is far better than his last 4 or 5 films (which are very bad: Desert heat, Universal soldiers: The return, Double Team, Knock off).

The story about cloning but director Ringo Lam made this movie highly entertaining. Van Damme plays double role, one is the serial killer, the other role as his clone which created so the police can catch the serial killer. Interestingly, Michael Rooker co-stars, he also appears in other cloning movie starring Arnold (The sixth day).

The DVD is OK. Bright and clear and the sound is fine. Van Damme provided commentary tracks along with ROoker, which are quite amusing. REcommended.

A return to JCVD's roots - Roundhouse Nirvana
The Jean Claude Van Damme Review Matrix (JCVD-RM)

1. Who is he? Edward Garrotte, murder victims he burns. Nicknamed is "The Torch", his alias well earned. His hair has been used, for the DNA. A Replicant is made, to save the day.
2. Which family member/friend must be avenged? His mother? Himself? This part is hazy. Suffice to say, the setup is crazy.
3. Does he take his shirt off? When born as "Replicant", it's all for show. Think Keanu, Matrix, without the "Whoa".
4. Does he have sex with a C-List actress? He meets a hooker, alone on the street. In less than one second, it's ugh, skeet skeet.
5. Is there a tournament? Replicant has no tournament at all. Following the matrix, it's the sole fault.
6. Is training needed for this tournament? Training is always essential to plot. Gymnastics, however? Probably not.
7. Does he do the splits in training or in the tournament? When learning to use a body brand new, it's: crawl, walk, run, and practice the splits, too.
8. Does he punch someone in the balls? With JCVD, balls should always be scared. Two Van Dammes, two roles, balls better beware. Samaritan not to swift on his feet? Gerrotte takes umbrage, and his heel meets meat. The police decide to pull out a Glock? Gerrotte fights back, and he hammers a c#@*.
9. Does he do a series of flying or 360 kicks? Hey kitchen employees! What do you see? Roundhouse for each - 1800 degrees. When two Van Dammes meet, one can feel mana. This is, quite simply, roundhouse nirvana.
10. Is his enemy unbeatable? Never before has Van Damme faced this threat, even in Bloodsport when he faced Bolo. It's his exact clone, not a silhouette; it's truly his first unbeatable foe.
11. Does he overcome an injury or other hindrance? With two JCVDs, there are two problems. The Replicant seems slightly retarded. Garrotte, however, has some great drama. He burns because his childhood trauma.
12. Does he win? It's the same as all; the end's transparent. But you'll love this movie, it's a sure bet.

With Replicant JCVD brings back the double entendre title (Knock Off), as well as the dual role responsibility from a previous movie (Double Impact). One has to admire a guy who shamelessly makes the same movie throughout his career without acquiescing to an increasingly resistant fan-base. When that same guy makes a movie with a tongue-in-cheek title about his career's repetitiousness, then even more credit is deserved. When that same actor does it again within a three year span, make way, because he's clearly dragging his massive cojones a foot behind him. The production values, cast, action (especially a thrilling ambulance scene), and fights are great, making this not only an impressive return to JCVD's roots, but also proof of his growth as an actor (very convincing as the Replicant).

All things considered, I felt that this review required special attention - my tribute to quintessential JCVD.