The Game Changer. Based on the (dubious) true story of Frank Dux, Bloodsport is a martial arts tournament classic. Van Damme plays Frank, an American captain who goes AWOL to fight in the underground Kumite in Hong Kong. The film is legendary for its final fight against Bolo Yeung, the "Dim Mak" pressure points, and the iconic sweaty training montage. Obscure fact: The film was rejected by the MPAA multiple times for violence.
If you want a deeper look at his talent, check out the 2008 film JCVD . He plays a fictionalized version of himself, and it contains a six-minute unbroken monologue that many critics consider one of the best performances in action movie history. Which JCVD movie is your all-time favorite—the gritty Bloodsport or the sci-fi ? jeanclaude van damme all movies
The 1980s were a pivotal decade for Van Damme, as he went on to star in several films that cemented his status as a rising action star. Some notable movies from this period include: The Game Changer
Classic. The film that gave the world the "dancing scene" (a drunken, acrobatic routine set to "Here Comes the Hotstepper" —actually music by Stan Meissner ). Van Damme plays Kurt Sloane, who seeks revenge on the brutal Thai fighter Tong Po. The film is beloved for its training sequences, emotional core, and the raw breaking of a toe (a real accidental injury kept in the film). The film is legendary for its final fight
This period established Van Damme as a global action superstar, defined by his signature flexibility and high-kicking style.
A surprisingly decent spy thriller. Van Damme plays a deep-cover CIA agent who is betrayed and imprisoned.