Kickboxer (1989)

User Rating:

5.5/10   

Directors:

Mark DiSalle
David Worth

Writers:

Mark DiSalle (story) &
Jean-Claude Van Damme (story) ...

Release Date:

8 September 1989 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Sport

Tagline:

An Ancient Sport Becomes A Deadly Game. [US Movie Poster]

Plot:

Kurt Sloan is the corner-man for his brother, U.S. kickboxing champion Eric Sloan. When Kurt witnesses...

Plot Keywords:

Kickboxing | Revenge | Wheel Chair Bound | Brother Brother Relationship | One Word Title

Cast

Jean-Claude Van Damme	...	Kurt Sloane (as Jean Claude Van Damme)
Dennis Alexio	...	Eric Sloane
Dennis Chan	...	Xian Chow
Michel Qissi	...	Tong Po (as Tong Po)
Haskell V. Anderson III	...	Winston Taylor (as Haskell Anderson)
Rochelle Ashana	...	Mylee
Ka Ting Lee	...	Freddy Li (as Steve Lee)
Richard Foo	...	Tao Liu
Ricky Liu	...	Big Thai Man
Ho Ying Sin	...	Huge Village Man #1 (as Sin Ho Ying)
Tony Chan	...	Huge Village Man #2
Brad Kerner	...	U.S. Announcer
Dean Harrington	...	U.S. Announcer
Mark DiSalle	...	U.S. Reporter
Richard Santoro	...	U.S. Reporter

Runtime:

105 min | Germany:94 min | Spain:93 min | Spain:97 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Certification:

Iceland:16 | South Korea:15 | Philippines:R-18 | Australia:M (cut) | Australia:R | Netherlands:16 | Norway:18 (video premiere) | UK:18 | USA:R | West Germany:18

Filming Locations:

Thailand

Company:

Kings Road Entertainment

Trivia:

Tong Po is mistakenly billed as playing himself (on the film's credits). In fact Michel Qissi played the villainous Thai for this film and its sequel Kickboxer 2: The Road Back (1991). Kamel Krifa played the character in the 4th. Qissi can also be seen in two other Van Damme movies, Bloodsport (1988) and Lionheart (1990). In Bloodsport Qissi is the fighter that gets his leg broken by Chong Li. In Lionheart (AWOL) Qissi plays Moustafe who alongside another legionnaire is trying to bring Lyon from America back to Africa.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Kurt's brother is being rescued, his hands are tied behind his back and tries to fight off the attackers. Again, although being paralyzed, he manages to step with his left leg twice while sitting in the chair before the scene is over.

Quotes:

Xian Chow: This is stone city. Where many ancient warriors come. While you train here, listen!
Kurt Sloane: Listen to what?
Xian Chow: Just listen. With your mind, your heart, your whole being.
Xian Chow: You must learn to be faster than any punch or kick, that way won't get hit.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Benchwarmers (2006)

Soundtrack:

The Streets of Siam

pretty good movie

this is the one of my favorite van dam movies. I think that it is also one of his best films. We watch his character train throughout the movie for a fight at the end. The martial arts throughout are very well done. This is one of those films you can watch every time it is on TV. If you like martial arts movies you will probably enjoy this one. The movie though is all about the final fight. Like many other films of its type. All in all van dam is great and if you want to see a film based on the martial arts that doesn't have Druce Lee or Jackie Chan or Jet Li in it then this movie is one for you. The story is pretty simple but the fight scenes are worth it so go for it. 7 out of 10.