Jean-Claude Van Johnson

(This review is based on the pilot episode only.)

A laugh-out-loud spoof of silly action movies - starring the biggest action movie star of them all.

No reviews for this? Come on, people!

Not long ago (2015) a brilliant comedy came out on NetFlix called 'The Grinder'. It ran for just one series as it was really too deadpan for mainstream American TV viewers... plus it was mercilessly buried under the weight of so many other new and original programs that were being spewed out at the time.

This time around, the theme is the same... take a world famous guy who is willing to laugh at himself and let the comedy begin. This time though, instead of Rob Lowe as a fake lawyer, Jean-Claude Van Damme plays the part of an aging and lovesick action hero... himself.

The first half hour episode is crammed full of inside jokes, movie references and great sight gags. If you blink you'll miss something. It's a helluva ride.

The whole idea is preposterous, of course, and that's part of the joke. Jean-Claude Van Damme is really a secret agent, saving the world and solving crimes while buried deep undercover as a famous action movie star. See what I mean? It's just too silly to be true, right?

Jean-Claude Van Damme is an absolute delight and takes it on the chin (literally) while on his mission to make the world a better place and win the love of his life back.

I hope that this series takes off but there seems to be not much reliable info about it. Amazon has made so much rubbish that it would be a crime to let this gem go by unfulfilled.

So as a 40 something, I have grown up in a time when JCVD was quite a star, never as big as Arnold or Bruce, more like a Rutger Hauer of the 90's.

This show is a brilliant concept and plays out perfectly. Jean Claude is a washed up actor who is at face value plodding along minding his own business. Meanwhile unbeknown to all he is a secret agent.

The show has a fascinating combination of reminding us of trade mark van damme moves and references previous movies in a laugh out laugh manner, at the same time it has a deeper inner meaning, which is in a way calling to the world to let Jean Claude come back to the limelight. Not as the tough guy but as who you see here, (If you watch it listen out for his last line in the last episode). It's clever, funny, entertaining and I hope to see more of this and also wish him all the best in getting new work that is this good.

I'll keep this spoiler-free, but whether you're a Jean-Claude Van Damme fan or not, you're in for a good time. It's labeled as a series, not a movie, but after that first episode, you'll be eagerly awaiting the next. It's top-notch! This is the JCVD we all know and love-no need for a "fighting" Van Damme, just a hilarious, entertaining one.

This review is for Episode 1. I'll update it once Episode 2 drops (looks like December 15th-we've waited long enough, right?).

9/10.

Honestly, I am a harsh film critic and find the writing to always be the worst thing about films. But, the writing of this show is top notch. It blew me away and is far better than any other show i have watched from amazon probably all the network and cable shows. The irony is great and I believe I laughed out loud in every episode; let me tell you, it is very hard to get more than a chuckle out of me. The wit here is almost flawless. The execution of the edits and the direction are so well done. And the dialogue is mostly fantastic with perfect satire and pastiche while creating a truly emotional finale that is well built and hard earned and unexpected. Not to mention the perfect tightrope of sincerity walked by the actors who all deliver confidently and robustly, as though it were a big budget affair. You wouldnt know some of them arent star actors . Truly.

Amazon is CRAZY to cancel this gem. They have so many insultingly garbage shows with bad acting and worse writing that get slapped together for second and third seasons. Thank god jcvd season 1 is so well written and planned that it works as a standalone without need for season 2.

Amazon, shame on you for torching this fine piece of sincere emotional comedic satire. It is the only show you have that delivers. And it never resorts to filler. I cant say enough about this show. I love it.

I just came across this show and am so disappointed to watch it through with only one season to it.

I never was big on the 80s/90s action movies. I didn't dislike or like Jean Claude Van Damme but I never watched much of what he was in because I'm not into movies like what he used to do.

I haven't laughed so hard in a long time. The way all the inside jokes are done was just awesome. Even I got most of them not having actually watched most of his previous movies but just was familar with them. I don't laugh at self depreciating comedy. There's a huge difference between self depreciation and poking fun at oneself that many don't understand. I felt this show understood and did it well.

Beyond the comedy was lots of action for others that enjoy that. I actually enjoy the action in this because it doesn't take itself too seriously and I really enjoyed that too. Then a few really deep, emotional moments that I actually cried over.

I'm trying to be vague to not give any spoilers, but I just think everyone should watch this show. It had minimal issues that I saw, and is very sad that it got cancelled without a chance to get even better. It is sad how many other really crappy shows get 6, 7, 8, + seasons and the masses love them when they are garbage, yet a truly good show can't even get a 2nd season.