SUDDEN DEATH

US, 1995, 110 minutes, Colour.
Jean- Claude Van Damme, Powers Boothe, Raymond J. Barry, Whittni Wright, Ross Mallinger, Dorian Harewood, Audra Lindley.
Directed by Peter Hyams.

A further step in the `humanising' of Jean Claude Van Damme. A variation on the Die Hard action story (the Vice President and staff are abducted by an ex-CIA megalomaniac and held during a hockey match in an explosives-fixed Pittsburgh stadium and Van Damme confronts it almost single-handed), it is an entertaining show marred by a couple of graphic brutal deaths. Van Damme is less high-kicking, has two young children and, despite coming from French Canada and his accent, is called Mc Cord! Hero confronts terrorist show.

1.A Jean- Claude Van Damme thriller? Action film? The older Van Damme? Playing a character in an action film rather than just a display of martial arts? How effective?

2.The Pittsburgh settings, ordinary life, homes and streets, fire brigades …? The contrast with the arena, the crowds, the detail of the building, the corridors, the seating, the arena? The private rooms, the dressing rooms? The roof and its huge structure? How well did the film use these locations? The musical score?

3.The title, the reference to results in a hockey match? In terms of the act of terrorism in the arena?

4.The focus on Darren Mc Cord, a Jean- Claude Van Damme character? His heroism, attitudes of the authorities? His relationship with his wife and children? His taking the children to the game? Showing them around? The involvement of the children in the terrorist attack? Tyler and his wandering off, his father commanding him to stay, the terrorist trying to move him, his remaining despite everything? The kidnapping of the little girl, her strength of character, trying to communicate with her father?

5.The vice-president, his entourage, the guests, going into the special box? The terrorists coming in, overpowering the group, shooting the Secret Service? The hostage threat – and the killing of the mayor and hostages? The confrontation by the vice-president, his strength of character? The taunts of Joshua Foss against the president, against the country, against capitalism?

6.The terrorists’ plan, thoroughly prepared? The team, their truck, getting in? The disguises? The elimination of the Secret Service? Getting into the vice-president’s box? The various members around the arena, trying to cut off the electricity? Stopping communications?

7.The incident in the kitchen, the cook, the threats to him, the phone call to his wife, the arrival of the terrorist, her death? His death after giving them the information and helping disguised terrorists go up?

8.Hallmark, his being in charge, his decisions, working with the men? The sudden revelation of his treachery? The confrontation with Mc Cord? His death?

9.Mc Cord, his friend in the suit, discovering her death? His using his wits, wanting to protect his children? His strength of character?

10.His strategies, tactics, going up into the roof, eliminating the bomb threats?

11.The play going on, the crowds, not kowing their danger? Joshua Foss and his ruthlessness? Mc Cord, being trapped, dressing in the game play? Going onto the ice, his winning score? His son recognising him? His background as a hockey player?

12.Joshua Foss, the background of the Secret Service, his greed, ruthlessness, his insults? Killing the hostages? The contacts with Hallmark and the other security men? His decisions?

13.The pursuit of Mc Cord, in the roof, the dangers, people falling to their deaths? His being secure, swinging thorough the roof? The confrontation with Foss, Foss’s fall and death?

14.The tradition of such films as Die Hard? The individual confronting terrorists? How interesting and entertaining was this variation on the theme?