THE QUEST
US, 1996, 95 minutes, Colour.
Jean Claude Van Damme, Roger Moore, James Remar.
Directed by Jean Claude Van Damme.
Significant for fans of Jean Claude Van Damme and of martial arts films as the directing debut of Van Damme. It is a routine film, the main point being an Asian competition to the death in martial arts. Roger Moore is along for the ride.
1. Jean Claude van Damme action film? The martial arts? The story of the quest for the best fighter in the world? A film for action fans only?
2. The re-creation of New York City in the '20s? Sequences at sea, in the Asian islands, the Thai landscapes? The hidden kingdom and the landscapes for the trek to the kingdom? The impact of the colour photography and scenery? The atmospheric score and the tones for the martial arts, the quest and the competition?
3. The title, the fighting championship and the championship of the world? Chris DuBois' personal quest?
4. The prologue: Chris as an old man, his friendliness and the barkeeper? The thugs and their attack on him? His capacity for fighting? His telling his story? The ending and his sense of personal achievement?
5. Chris as a young boy, being left in Central Park, abandoned? His growing up with the children on the street? His being a busker and a clown? The interaction with the moneyed men and the gangsters in the New York streets? His capacity for fighting? The taking of the money, the pursuit by the gangsters, the injuries to the kids? His escape, his going to the east, his determination to return to the kids? The overtones of Oliver Twist - the robbery, the children, their living together, but a benign twist?
6. Chris and his eluding his pursuers, the chase through the streets? On the boat? His being discovered? His being made to work on the boat? His fate? The arrival in Asia, the encounter with the pirates? The attack, Chris's defence, his life being saved by the captain? His being taken ashore, sold to the martial arts chief on the island? His being abandoned there? His going through the training, his emerging abilities? The sequences of military arts training and self-control?
7. The invitation to the various fighters to participate in the quest? The Japanese in the baths, Max and the American gym? The internationality of the quest? The competitors and the conditions, the scroll and the invitation, the map? Making their way to the hidden city?
8. Chris in Bangkok, his encounter with the captain and his pretending to be a Scottish lord? The reconciling of differences? The fights? The idea of participating in the quest? The encounter with the New York journalist? The plan, the escorting of Max, taking his documentation?
9. The journey and its hardships, the range of terrain? The clash with Max, his conceding that Chris was more talented? His supporting him?
10. The arrival at the hidden city, the rivals? The discovery of the truth about Chris? Max and the condition that Chris win the first round? The build‑up to the fight itself? The long sequences of the fights - the editing and pace, brutality, variety of fighting styles? The Spanish flamenco style, the Brazilian athletics, the Chinese like the monkey, the Sumo Japanese wrestler, the Greek and his force, the brute strength of the Mongolian? The contrast with Chris in his singlet and shorts? The fights, the eliminations, the brutality of the Mongolian killing his opponent? The grief of Chris's former trainer, Chris's intervention and wearing his thong band?
11. Max and his survival and his support? The captain and the plan to steal the golden dragon, getting the balloon - but getting caught and imprisoned? Chris and the final confrontation with the Mongolian, the brutality, out of the ring, into the courtyard, tactics and determination, skill and his winning?
12. The character of Chris, Jean Claude Van Damme's enigmatic style, a genial touch, strength, choreography of the fights? His return to New York to save the kids?
13. Roger Moore as the captain, a variation on his gentlemanly James Bond style? His associate? The attacking of the ship, piracy, not keeping his word to Chris? Bangkok, pretending to be a lord, the encounter with Carrie? The plan, the trip, relying on Harry? Watching the fight, getting Chris to throw the championship, stealing the dragon? Imprisoned? The happy ending? Harry as his sidekick - the variation on Don Quixote and Sancho Panza?
14. Max, the tough American, accepting his limitations, supportive of Chris?
15. Carrie, the New York background, journalism, her father owning the paper, going on the expedition? The happy ending - with her book?
16. The career of Jean Claude Van Damme as martial arts star, fighting star, the world-wide popularity during the '90s? The quality of this film as part of his style and presentation?
