Double Impact

The Muscles from Brussels takes a co-producer and co-writer credit on this routinely plotted but agreeable action picture. Van Damme plays twin boys, who were orphaned in the 1960s by thugs representing some greedy white collar criminals. One of them, Chad, ended up in L. A. where he got to live a fairly soft life. Alex, on the other hand, remained in Hong Kong where he became a street smart smuggler. 25 years later, their "uncle" Frank (Geoffrey Lewis) locates Alex and reunites the boys so they can have a classic bit of revenge - and reclaim what's theirs in the bargain.

All of the action is watchable if never truly inspired. There's a good deal of hard hitting violence (the naive Chad takes his lumps before the story is over), and plenty of effective squib action - not to mention a hearty helping of explosions. The exotic Hong Kong setting certainly helps a lot, as well. One sequence is particularly striking, and you can see bits of that in the trailer. And there's a fairly satisfying confrontation between Van Damme and martial arts icon Bolo Yeung, who plays Moon, a goon who ends up with a fake eye and a nasty scar due to Franks' intervention back in the 60s.

There's a certain degree of entertainment in watching Van Damme play two distinctly different characters. Thanks to some reasonably effective movie trickery - body doubles, special effects, and the like - we get to see the twins interacting regularly. Philip Chan, as crime kingpin Raymond Zhang, and Alan Scarfe, as the nefarious Nigel Griffith, are decent action movie baddies in the classic tradition. Both the blonde Alonna Shaw (as Alex's girlfriend Danielle) and the athletic brunette Corinna Everson (as henchwoman Kara) add much sex appeal. The eternally solid and reliable Lewis is a tremendous asset to the story, lending it an appropriate amount of respectability.

"Double Impact" may not be memorable in the end, but it sure provides a nice diversion for the better part of two hours.

Seven out of 10.

Double Impact is one of Van Damme`s finest moments on the actionfilm-arena. It delivers what it must to succeed, namely tons of great fighting scenes, which is what Van Damme-movies are all about(well, almost). If you want to rent an old action-flick, Double Impact is one of the best movies Van Damme has ever done! 9/10

OK, face it, Jean-Claude cannot act his way out of a wet paper bag. That is not why we watch him. We watch for the action, and this film has plenty of that.

No viewing of Jean-Claude's films would be complete without this one where he plays both himself and his brother. Separated by 25 years, one (Alex) stays in Hong Kong as a smugger, and the other (Chad) is a fitness instructor in California. That's ladies fitness instructor in pretty blue tights. Hmm, is there something to his role as "Gay Karate Man" in his first film? California Jean-Claude returns to Hong Kong to join Honk Kond Jean Claude to regain what is rightfully theirs. Luscious scenery provided by Alex's girlfriend Danielle (Alonna Shaw). Hot breathing brought on by action between Danielle and Kara (Corinna Everson). The return of Bolo Yeung (Bloodsport) as Moon is a big big plus for the film.

Lots of action, lots of laughs, and a good time for all.

Egos run wild as Van Dammage is given the double dosage in this rampant, enjoyable thriller; hampered somewhat by the now two dreadful acting displays instead of the one. Yet credit where its due, this is one of his better outings, broadening his thespian ranges as well as stylishly kicking people in the head a lot. Revenge is on the cards again, playing both twin brothers separated at birth and reunited 25 years later (one's a US aerobics instructor who wears the silk underwear, the other a tough cigar-chomping gangster-type raised in the Hong Kong). Their parents, you see, were hopelessly slaughtered when they were babies, and summarily they vow vengeance. It's all laughable enough, as it should be: violent as hell with a Bolo villain and two Jean-Claude's causing complete bloody chaos - who could ask for more?

I remember seeing this movie on the premiere night that Saturday evening on HBO. It was indeed one of the best damn martial arts movies I've seen around that time because at that time range there were nothing but action flicks being released to theaters here and there. Double Impact is one of my most favorite Van Damme flicks not only because he plays twin brothers in the film but because there's plenty of action to look for. Most movies that were made with an actor playing twins it would usually be a disappointment since they could never get the other person to like the same actor.....O.K. I admit, I was a little disappointed when I spotted the fake Van Damme trying to kick at Alex but missed by kicking the wall. My 3 favorite scenes in the film are #1.When Alex gives Chad a good evening greeting from a head-butt. #2.The final showdown between Chad and Moon(Bolo Yeung)-a great villan. #3.The brawl-for-all between Chad and Alex. Double Impact will always be in my video/dvd collection. But anytime there's a Van Damme film hitting either the big screen or the little screen, you know what to expect, nothing but dodging fire balls, doing 360 degree spinning heel kicks, etc. you get the picture. But hey at least you didn't see one of the Van Dammes smearing/or trying to fade away from the image like it was cheaply done on a computer such as the 2 Jackie Chans did in "Twin Dragons".