THE HARD CORPS
US, 2006, 110 minutes, Colour.
Jean- Claude Van Damme, Raz Adoti, Vivica A.Fox, Ron Bottitta.
Directed by Sheldon Lettich.
The Hard Corps is one of many, many films made by Jean- Claude Van Damme and released straight to video or DVD. It is his fourth film with director Sheldon Lettich, Lionheart, The Order, Double Impact, who also wrote Blood Sport and Legionnaire for Van Damme.
This film has a particular appeal to male audiences, audiences who like action shows. It is rather late in the film that Van Damme goes into action, with some boxing techniques as well as some kickboxing.
The film has a setting in the African- American world, where a criminal gets an early release from prison with the help of his lawyer nephew (who is a decent man, not wanting to get caught up in his uncle’s work, trying to save the day but ultimately being killed by his uncle). The uncle seems to have a particular grudge against boxing champion, Wayne Barclay, played by Raz Adoti. The uncle had previously killed his younger brother and is now coming to kill him.
Barclay’s sister, Tamara (Vivica A.Fox), a glamorous entrepreneur who manages elaborate shows, is concerned about her brother, gets advice and hires former Afghan veteran, Philippe Sauvage, Van Damme, who is still recovering from traumatic experiences in Afghanistan, his being framed the massacre of some children – but, late in the show, there is a flashback indicating that he is innocent and that someone ignited the flamethrower and Van Damme was trying to do a rescue.
A detective intervenes at various times but audiences will soon realise that he is corrupt, in the pay of the villain – to be ultimately shot by him.
Sauvage employs a group, mainly men, but also a woman, to be a hard-core hard-corps team in case of attack – which comes several times, a range of shootings, the woman being hospitalised, the build-up to a final attack, after death one of his comrades he saved his life in Afghanistan, a fight between the bitter Uncle and Barclay or between Barclay and Sauvage who still does not trust Sauvage and is upset about his relationship with his sister. Ultimately, of course, the villain is killed, the sister who has been taken hostage is freed, glad to be back with Sauvage – and Barclay is now on side, grateful and prepared to employ his group as bodyguards.
