I am not sure where to begin with Maximum Risk, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme. It starts with Van Damme being chased by, presumably, bad guys and dying in the first few minutes of the felt. Then cuts to what turns out to be his unknown twin brother, who assumes his identity and goes hunting for his killers, things getting needlessly complicated along the way. Natasha Henstridge shows up. Complications arise.
This film is directed by Ringo Lam. It came out at a time when Hollywood was flirting with bringing over lots of Asian action directors to make their action flicks. As an action flick, it’s 16th succeeds. Van Damme if usually pretty good in these for action.
As a straightforward, coherent story, not so much. It’s got something to do with the Russian mob and FBI and corruption. Natasha Henstridge is wasted in this film. Van Damme does another turn as twins, after Double Impact and before Replicant, where he would be a clone of himself.
I can’t decide if I liked it or not. It moves pretty quickly but doesn’t quite work. The action is pretty good.
-all photos via IMDb.com.
