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The Hard Corps (2006)

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32 comments in total

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31 out of 37 people found the following comment useful :-
One of Van Damme's most enjoyable films in years., 16 August 2006

Author: furiousneon

There is nothing perfect about this movie, but for what it is, it sure the hell is enjoyable. Van Damme just gets better and better in the acting department and pleases everyone in this one, new fans and old ones. The action scenes are way better then in Second In Command and much more martial arts oriented then Wake of Death, with some more trademark kicks. Vivica A. Fox is sexy and perfect for her role and the story involving a former heavyweight champ who needs security from a rap-mogul/gangster is very fresh considering its new territory for a Van Damme movie. Anyway fan of his or not, I would no doubt check this one out, its a pleaser.

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21 out of 25 people found the following comment useful :-
A step above generic and a LOT better than Second In Command, 25 August 2006

Author: skoolsbad from morris plains nj

The plot is simple, a soldier returning from Afhganistan becomes a body guard for a well known boxer who is loved by the community he restored, and hated by the man he put behind bars.

It begins typically with plot development and whatnot but where other straight to video movies fail this one succeeds, if you give the movie a chance you will feel the difference between this and anything else that has been released recently. The plot has more to it, the action pieces deliver what is expected but it is entertaining none the less and the humor and rap beats thrown in add what is needed to make this movie more entertaining than what i was expecting. treat yourself and get a hold of this for lazy nights where you just want to kick back and see Jean Claude do his best.

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23 out of 32 people found the following comment useful :-
A very good movie! Van Damme is back!!!, 15 August 2006

Author: Kurt Sloane from Brazil

The Hard Corps is a very good movie, with a great cast and script. The story is very interesting and Van Damme proves another time, that he is a great actor and fighter. He is in a very good shape in this film and Sheldon Lettich did a great job. The fight scenes are really nice, Van Damme is fighting like a 10 years ago.

In my opinion, "In Hell", "Wake of Death", "Second in Command" and "The Hard Corps" were 4 great films.

Van Damme is getting back and nobody can stop him now! And now I'm waiting for Til Death and Bloodsport 2.

8/10.

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12 out of 13 people found the following comment useful :-
Definitely worth viewing and repeating makes it better., 19 August 2006

Author: CE_LIONESS from United States

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

I saw this movie at a screener first, and then on DVD after its release. I stand by my original review, posted below.

First, I have to give a point of reference. I am a white, 43-year-old single female; NOT the target audience this film was made for, at all. Second, I am in LOVE with good action movies, unlike most chicks (hate the standard "chick flick" and Braveheart is one of my desert-island-top-three films.) Third, although I love music of almost any kind, Hip-hop "ain't my thang, bro" so I am not inclined to go see this kind of film.

Having said that, I can only say that much to my everlasting surprise, I enjoyed this film immensely. From the opening scene, which was scored beautifully, to the first moment that Jean-Claude actually speaks on film (takes awhile) I was stricken with the thought that this was not another D-T-V piece of flotsam. The film has a really nice feel to it as it opens, which even carries it through the slower paced (edit, we need an edit!) parts about 50 minutes into it. Mr. Van Damme's character is built up carefully and slowly and we find ourselves wondering what makes this guy tick. This feat of achievement is carried out by the director/writer and the man himself, showing his best acting chops in YEARS, guys! I found myself laughing, as the audience did, at the funny parts, and full of suspense, along with the audience, at the build up toward the final showdown. As for a PG-13 vs. R rating, this is a very different type of film for Van Damme fans as he mellows into a fine actor and still kicks some butt that needs kicking, so I expect a PG-13 rating to follow. I am personally happy with that, as it is better for his box-office receipts should this be theatrically released, and his films have been over-the-top violent without any necessity for the violence in some cases.

I can definitely say that I would recommend this movie to anyone who likes an action film with a bit of smarts thrown in for good measure. I am not exactly biased, as I haven't been able to sit through the majority of Mr. Van Damme's films in the past few years. I would pay to see this again, and will! By choice, and out of deference to the hard work of Lettich, Van Damme and the gang, I would rather give fewer details. The fight scenes are exciting and fun but I won't go into why and how. Not much martial arts, but enjoyable anyway. I will say that there is a different (finally!) structure to his fight scenes and they are used sparingly, thereby giving them more impact than, say 90 minutes of kicking and fighting. I enjoyed them and the character he plays comes across as a real "hard core" (I love puns!) kind of guy. When he hits 'em, you feel it! Lots of hip-hop and other music tracks, great scoring by this Brit they hired. Nice job; I wasn't annoyed and I don't like hip-hop (I love dance music though, from Latin Samba to Disco) This film is scored much better than any of his films in recent memory.

In closing, I will add that there is ONE H-H-H-HOT KISS with Ms. Vivica Fox. And it is nicely done.

Sheldon was there at the screening. He is a very nice man who is quite polite, cordial and friendly. It was a pleasure meeting him.

P.S. There is an awesome fight scene between him and one of the major characters. I never want to say too much because they may re-edit the film and then you wouldn't see it!

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13 out of 16 people found the following comment useful :-
Entertaining Van Damme/Lettich collaboration., 30 August 2006

Author: argentobuff from United States

Hard Corps reunites Jean-Claude Van Damme with frequent collaborator Sheldon Lettich for the 4th time.The first time was 1991's Lionheart,followed by the classic Double impact,until 2001's interesting,but flawed The Order.Hard Corps is a nice return to form for the talented director who should clearly be making more movies than he has.

On one side we have battle-traumatized soldier Phillip Savuage(JCVD) who lands a gig as a bodyguard to a head-strong(but well to due) Boxer named Barclay(Raz Adoti) all the while answering to his sister played by Vivica Fox.Tensions arise when a Gangster with an army of thugs put away by Barclay is released from jail wanting serious payback.Can Savauge rise to occasion?

The production looks like a medium-budget movie.Good photography and locations add to the "american" look of the movie.

We get a lot of character detail.Some nice fights.especially the Savauge/Barclay throw-down.Some nice humor involving rap music form critic Savuage.A rather Macabe scene that revolves around the "feeding" of Singleterry's dogs.

HCs gives JCVD a fully rounded character for once.There is a nice sub-plot that is handled very well involving his character's battle record and misplaced guilt.He still has the chops that developed very well at the start of Replicant and shined through WoD.He is a way more subtle here though.Why can't Hollywood see this?

Vivica Fox is very commanding and reactive.Charming as well.She has some nice Chemistry with JCVD.Shame she does not get to go Kill Bill for a few scenes though.Raz Adoti is very likable as the Boxer-turned-entrepreneur.He gets better in every movie he is in. As gangster Singleterry Viv Leacock gets to set on the sidelines and bark orders and does not make that imposing of a villain.That part is left to the imposing Ron Selmore.The supporting cast is good.

The only real fault is that the action scenes are far and few between scenes.At 110 minutes you would think there would be more.A lot of opportunities end up wasted.I was expecting a little more myself after some of the stand-out action seen in Hell and WOD.

However no bad CGI Trains,helicopters,Jets,Moths,or bad slow-motion is nice for once.

7.5/10

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8 out of 9 people found the following comment useful :-
not bad, 2 September 2006

Author: alexandre robillard from Canada

The movie is not that bad. It's probably one of the best Van Damme did since (the Van Damme mania time). But it doesn't beat the time when he was everywhere. The money is one reason for sure. They are all B-Movies so the money's not in it that much so. But VD does play well and most of the cast too. I do miss the AMAZING VAN DAMME but who knows, maybe he lost it a bit. He's not that young so...I don't know I'm just saying he doesn't fight like BLOODSPORT,KICKBOXER or DOUBLE IMPACT time. The action is more like street fighting,shooting or boxing. There isn't any VD karate extra moves in it so...Don't look for that. He fight but...Streetfighting kinda moves.

Give it a try it's still worth watching. I've see a lot worst. Still..I give a 7/10.

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11 out of 15 people found the following comment useful :-
Van Damme + Letich = Fantastic Boom, 5 November 2006

Author: farooqnk from Pakistan

This film is so far the best in all direct to DVD releases of Van Damme. Jean Claude Van Damme looks very fresh and fit.

The most important thing about the movie is its tempo which never makes you bored. Every moment of this film is enjoyable specially if you watch it with your friends. There are not too many explosions or car chases as usually action films are supposed to have. The Dog scene was traffic in which DOGS are hungry for fresh meat and that was also in the last scene which was perfectly filmed by Sheldon I like it too much.The part in which Jc and his partner are coaching the hard corps team is also very unique concept. Every body must watch this movie and specially anti jcvd's they will shut their mouth after watching this movie.

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7 out of 8 people found the following comment useful :-
not bad, 9 August 2006

Author: cujo2 from Netherlands

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

Like wake of the death and the replicant this movie shows a more mature JVC, and that is a wise move since the guy is well in his 40's after all.

With this film JVC gets a decent budget and decent production values and a chance to put some more flesh in his character.. however that is about all that is really nice about this film. In many ways this film reminds me of the flicks of Steven Seagall doing buddy buddy with some rap star and like steven, jean claude also feels a bit misplaced in the setting of rap music and undressed women, this is actually felt by his acting in some scenes... I don't have the feeling he really believed or enjoyed himself all that much.

There is very little hand to hand combat in this film and a very low amount of action, you can actually feel your ass telling you this flick really takes 110 minutes to tell its story.

There isn't much to tell about the story that is interesting and the constant use of flashbacks is becoming irritating around halfway ( yeah we know the guy has problems from the war..yeah we get the hint) But all in all I found it a nice enough movie..little fast forward here and there but still a pleasant time waster. Lets be honest, I saw vandamme for the very first time with bloodsport when all the action heroes were still around. Now in 2006 he is basically the only one left even trying to deliver some decent movies and that makes me very forgiving.

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12 out of 19 people found the following comment useful :-
Should be Harder, but still not bad., 10 August 2006

Author: Thomas Jolliffe (supertom-3) from Marlow, England

JC seems to be mellowing these days. His film roles are those which play up to his age, his experience, and have JC as more grounded individuals. In Wake Of Death he impressed with a performance that stretched him. In Second In Command, the film wasn't very good, but Van Damme gave a solid performance, albeit in a role without much depth. Now we all kind of realise that in the direct to video world, it's very unlikely you'll find a really decent film, so first and foremost a DTV viewer strives for competence. Wake Of Death had that, as had VD's previous film, In Hell. Second In Command came close, but the crap fairy waved his magic wand and terdinated the film slightly. The Hard Corps regains a level of competence again for Van Damme.

Here JC teams up with long time friend and collaborator, Sheldon Lettich. Together they have made Double Impact (great fun when you're in the right mood) and Lionheart as well. Lettich knows how to get the best from Van Damme, and on the most part does. He also gives the film an assured touch that was lacking in SIC. The plot centres on world heavyweight boxer, and entrepreneur, Wayne Barclay (Raz Adoti), and his sister Tamara (Vivica Fox). As it happens Barclay is far from popular with Rap mogul, and gangsta, Terrell Singleton, as Barclay had him sent to prison years earlier. Upon Terrell's release, the first order of business is to wipe out Barclay. Tamara insists that Wayne hires a security team and contacts a Vietnam Vet who also served in Iraq and Afghanistan, who in turn contacts his old, war scarred buddy, Van Damme. Van Damme is in a veterans psychiatric hospital, tormented by an incident in Iraq that left a school of children destroyed, with dozens of dead kid's inside. So Van Damme hops aboard the Barclay security. On the first night an attempt on Barclays life leaves Van Dammes pal dead, and from there he takes over and then he begins to develop a relationship with Tamara, much to Wayne's disgust. The plot outline seems simple enough, the trouble is the film seems segmented into three stories, and can't divide the screen time (a lengthy 110 minutes) right. As such the film lags in moments and there just ain't enough JC in it. His war torn character is not given enough depth. When we begin to delve into the character, the film takes us away to one of the subplots. In truth the film would have been better at 90 minutes, and with more focus on Van Damme. Still there's good support from Raz Adoti, and also the Foxxy, Vivica Fox.

Anyway, those who see this puppy at their local Blockbusters (probably on a lower to middle shelf, but at least not bottom) will not be too interested in how the plot is. It's the Van Damage they crave. The action here, is okay, with the biggest problem being that not enough time and money is spent on them. Gunfights for example lack impact because of a lack of practical effects. Also because the film isn't all that violent, despite it's R rating, people don't get shot, have their chest burst open with a gallon of blood and fall to the ground in a mangled bloodied heap. Being from the UK, this film is what I'd call standard 15 certificate, which equates to a soft R. Whereas for these movies I prefer a hard R, which over here means an 18 cert. What I mean is that when there's not that much punch in the action, when someone gets shot, there really needs to be a POW. We need to see the blood flying. As an example take Dolph Lundgren's The Mechanik (The Russian Specialist as it's also known). It's a low budget piece which actually did spend its money well on the action, but obviously can't compete with bigger movies that can double the explosion outlay. However the film was very violent, people got shot and you really knew it. Harry Knowles (AICN) himself in fact gave the film a brief mention in a Second In Command review, stating he dug the bloodletting that Dolph let loose upon us. I wouldn't imagine he'd say the same of this. Also the fight scenes although nice and rough, a too few and far between in all honesty. However Van Damme does get to deliver some trademark kicks, but he's still holding back the Helicopter kick for B-2 (a sequel to Bloodsport none the less).

Overall though THC, is a fair piece of entertainment, that surpasses anything Steven Seagal is doing at the moment. Really it's a film that won't blow your socks off, or stick its hand in your underwear and pleasure you, but it's a lot better than watching paint dry. As a point of interest though, Van Damme's next film, Til Death could be great. It's a dark film, that seems to be going for a 70's styled, Death Wish, Get Carter vibe, that sees Van Damme donning a leather jacket and sideburns. It promises to hit hard with the action and get a level of nastiness we saw in VD's Wake Of Death. And if that doesn't get you excited how bout this: Stephen Rea, the Oscar nominated actor recently seen in V for Vendetta, co-stars. AND if that isn't enough, it's also written by Dan Harris, one of the guys responsible for Superman Returns, and X Men 2. But who knows we may even see JC face off against Jackie Chan in Rush Hour 3! I hope so. **1/2

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7 out of 10 people found the following comment useful :-
Awesome Movie! Van Damme rocks!, 21 September 2006

Author: OutForSteveDay

Jean-Claude will be playing a Combat Vet who's just spent the last 3 years fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq, who is hired to be a bodyguard to a former World Heavyweight Boxing champ to protect him and his family against a Rap Music Mogul. He sets up a team called "The Hard Corps", complications arise when the boxer suspects that his sister may be in love with the bodyguard.

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I really enjoyed this film, not just because I'm a huge Van Damme fan, the story is really intense and Sheldon Lettich did a great job. Is very good to see that Van Damme is getting back, his acting is really good, and he still a great fighter. Razaaq Adoti was great too. Vivica A. Fox is sexy and perfect for her role. The Bad guys were awesome in too. The fight between Van Damme and Razaaq was very cool and real. In Hell, Wake of Death and The Hard Corps were great films.

Let's wait Til Death!!!

I give it a 7.8/10

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