KICKBOXER

US, 1989, 97 minutes, Colour.
Jean- Claude Van Damme.
Directed by Mark Di Salle.

Kickboxer is a star vehicle for Belgian Jean- Claude van Damme, a muscleman - with the advantage of being good-looking, rather than looking like Arnold Schwarzenegger. He appeared in Blood Sport and the science fiction Cyborg.

This film follows the pattern of Rocky and The Karate Kid. It focuses on the Thai sport of kickboxing. There are many violent sequences of the sport, as well as good sequences of training with a rather genial Thai trainer.

The film is entirely predictable - but that is probably the strength of its appeal. The Thai locations are used to great advantage. Van Damme himself contributed to the story.

1. Enjoyable fight film? Kickboxing? American heroes? Asia? The success of the underdog?

2. Thai locations and the beauty of the countryside? The fight sequences - choreographed by van Damme? the violence? Musical score? Song?

3. The title, the focus on Kurt, his success, the confrontation of the villain?

4. Audience response to kickboxing? As a form of sport, martial arts? Training and skills? Strength? The fights, the traditions, the rules?

5. Eric and his success, champion, support of Kurt? Going to Thailand? The bout, Eric's paralysis? Kurt's reaction and vengeance? Their backgrounds, separation of their parents, education in Europe and America? The bonds between the two?

6. Kurt and the friendship with Taylor, in Bangkok? Going to Xian? The interview, going for the groceries, fighting in the village, Xian's niece? Accepted for the training? The long details of training, concentration, physical fitness, special techniques? Xian and the quality of his leadership? Kurt and his response? The attraction to the niece, at home with the family? In the town - the disco dance and the fight? His being ready for the bout?

7. The background of the warlords, the drugs, money? The thugs and their management in Bangkok? The betting on the bout? The rape of the niece? The capture of the brother? The hold over Kurt?

8. The fight itself, his being hurt? Xian freeing the brother? The news about the niece? Kurt and his final success? The shouts of the crowd? (The cry from his success at his preliminary bout?)

9. The happy ending - the charm of Kurt, both masculine strength and sensitivity in feeling? The difference with his brother and his learning his lesson? The relationship between Americans and Thais? The future? Popular entertainment?