DVD Review: JCVD - Page 2

But JCVD showed a glimmer of hope. Now maybe we can see what else he can do. Jet Li hasn't really done much that's wowed me since Unleashed, but I'm hoping that Van Damme goes the extra mile.

After its premiere at the 2008 Cannes and Toronto Film Festival, JCVD garnered much praise from the media. Richard Corliss of Time Magazine said, "he deserves not a black belt, but an Oscar." And Ty Burr of the Boston Globe said the film "forces you to consider the star in a whole new light." And from Van Damme's performance in that last half hour, I'd have to agree with Burr.

In addition to the movie on the DVD are a few extras.

The DVD includes a digital copy of the film in a computer-accessible folder on the disc itself. This is nice because it's all on one disc and you don't have to go to a second disc to get the digital file.

Also included are several deleted scenes that the disc provides both with and without English subtitles.

The first is an extension of the scene where one of the robbers in the post office asks Van Damme to do the famous move where he kicks a cigarette out of a guy's mouth. Of course he does it quickly and with style, but then the robber wants to try. And he succeeds in the deleted scene, but ends up on the floor!

The second helps explain parts of Van Damme's soliloquy in the film, where he talks about being "aware" and having the answer before the question. I'm not sure why they cut the scene, as I thought it was another where Van Damme was actually acting and doing quite well.

If you are a fan of Van Damme's, JCVD provides a chance to see him in a completely different light. His acting in the last 30 minutes is worth the preceding 60 and proves that he should get some deeper roles before he retires from the limelight all together.

Be sure to check JCVD out at your local video store or online!

Article Author: Fitz

Brian Fitzpatrick (aka "Fitz") is a software engineer and writer living in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with his wife, two daughters, two dogs, and two cats -- trying desperately to survive the chaos!

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