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Replicant [2001]
![Replicant [2001]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51XAYXWSFBL._SL160_.jpg)
RRP: £19.99
Our Price: £4.20 (subject to change)
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
Jean-Claude Van Damme plays two roles in Replicant, a surprisingly good action thriller that also stars Michael Rooker as Jake Riley, a cop who's been tracking a serial killer called "The Torch" (Van Damme). Frustrated, Riley decides to retire--and the National Security Department makes him an offer: they've cloned "The Torch" as part of a programme to track down terrorists; they'll turn this replicant (Van Damme again, of course) over to Riley as a sort of test run for the programme. The idea is that the replicant will slowly recall the original person's memories and lead the cops to the original. It's ridiculous, but no more ridiculous than the setup for the highly successful Face/Off, and it works just as well as the engine for an effective action flick. What makes Replicant more unusual is that the writers actually put some thought into the relationship between Riley and the replicant, which starts to mirror parent-child relationships in emotionally complex ways. Furthermore, while it's no surprise that Rooker gives a solid performance, it is surprising that Van Damme does just as good a job in both of his roles--he's perfectly creepy as the serial killer and genuinely affecting as the quickly developing replicant, projecting a mixture of innocence and turmoil. Replicant was directed by Hong Kong director Ringo Lam, the man behind Full Contact and City on Fire. He was clearly working on a limited budget, but the movie looks good, moves with lean efficiency, and has some riveting action sequences and good quality effects--the scenes where Van Damme (inevitably!) fights himself are completely convincing. A satisfying movie.--Bret Fetzer, Amazon.com
HE JUST BECAME HIS OWN WORST ENEMY
Review date: 2007-08-07 Rating: 8 out of 10
I have to admit that "Replicant" succeeded in surprising me quite a few times, which is surprising itself since I wasn't ready for any surprise in a direct-to-video-van Damme-movie. But this movie is not like your average van Damme-stupidity. In some way this is good, in another way it is not.
What I was hoping for was 90 minutes of fun that makes me laugh very loud the way "Double Team" or "Streetfighter" managed to do. I was afraid of seeing 90 minutes of boring stupid action with only few unintentional laughs, like "The Quest" or "Knock Off". "Replicant" walks on a thin line between those extremes.
Well, it is the third movie in which van Damme appears in two roles at the same time and it is a strange record for an action star. At first we see the bad guy, a serial killer with long hair who kills mothers by killing and then burning them. He does this because his mother used to call him "bad boy" and once almost burned him alive. Michael Rooker plays the cop who tries to catch the killer and the movie sometimes suggests that the killer also plays the typical "serial killer-movie game", in which the killer seems to kill just for the cop who chases him. But this is just a sidenote in the film whereas it is a major point that Rooker is very obsessed in finding the killer. Where this obsession comes from is never explained and this contributes to a lot of the weird aspects of the film.
One day after Rooker again managed NOT to catch the killer some government guys approach him and make an interesting offer. They want to clone the killer and try to catch him with the memories of the real killer in the clone's brain (that's what I think is their plan). The way the "clone"-thing is introduced must be seen to be believed. We never get the feeling that the movie plays in the future and neither the science guys nor Rooker as the cop make a big deal of simply cloning another person for an investigation. When Rooker is told about the clone idea his reaction does not exist. He simply accepts not questioning for a mili-second what is going on. Even more strange is the fact that the government guys even think of trusting Rooker to take care of the clone. And for no reason at all Rooker uses this trust by deceiving them time after time, by refusing to cooperate but these "National Security" guys never mind at all. Neither do Rooker's relatives and partners who very very rarely wonder why he has a new pet and why it looks like the serial killer everyone's looking for?
It may seem strange to go into such deep plot discussions but the movie plays so seriously that it's hard not to do. That's the weird thing here: the film only scarcely tries to go for cheap effects and shortcuts. For a van Damme movie the action is very rare and except maybe two scenes not very spectacular.
And then there is van Damme's performance as the clone. The clone, who is never referred to with any name, seems like a mixture between a retard and Jackie Chan. He hardly speaks, looks bewildered and confused but can also swing himself around pipes a dozen times, jump around like a monkey and fight like a karate dog. I'm not quite sure where he has the fighting abilities from and why they developed so much better than his thinking abilities. To say the least, it is an interesting performance but it also produces some laughs especially because of the way Rooker treats him.
Rooker has the strangest character here, being obsessed with a case for no reason, cruel to the only person who can help him and sometimes very stupid. For example when he first hunts the killer and simply lets him drive away while dozens of policemen in police cars arrive and he simply doesn't mind telling them that the killer has just been around the corner one second ago.
There are a lot of strange things in this movie but most of them work somehow and make it actually very entertaining. Despite the sci-fi part none of the characters seem to notice the movie stays on the tracks. An action scene with an ambulance is both ridiculous and effective. A scene with the clone spending time with a prostitute is not working at all and feels contrived and unnecessary. Some things are simply unexpected for example the cruelty of the killer when he is not actually killing. He shots innocent bystanders for no reason and in a scene in a hospital his violence becomes comic-like when he kicks nurses and hits wheelchair patients with the ambulance. In one scene Rooker has to throw his weapon away because he is threatened to get killed and for no reason he throws it in a bucket of blood. Later the clone has to fetch it outta there. And there is a scene in the killer's apartment that questions his motivation, the logic of computers and plot and the the abilities of the clone.
"Replicant" is a B-movie, that is for sure but in an unexpected way it is a good one, entertaining, not too much over the top and somehow still convincing. Nevertheless the final scene gets a big laugh for its unbelievable silliness both in plot logic and music choice. And why we see that picture during the end credits is beyond me. Don't expect another "Double Team" but don't expect anything else.
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Reviews
Flawed Movie with great performance from JCVD
Review date: 2005-08-16 Rating: 4 out of 10
Van Damme has been turning in some very impressive performances of late, but at the same time has chosen vehicles for his talent that I find a little at odds with what I'd expect from one of his movies as a long-term fan (i.e. feelgood, hi-octane, butt-kicking action). He's very effective in dual roles as hero & villain, but I found the serial killer theme of the movie was depicted with scenes of violence towards women that went too far. Also some of the scenes looking into the mind of the killer were a little disturbing. From reading the description on the box of the movie, I'd expected more of a Sci-Fi slant to the proceedings; in truth, its focus is more on the serial killer angle which doesn't make for easy viewing in this instance.
Typical Van Damme Genius!
Review date: 2004-10-12 Rating: 10 out of 10
Another great film from the martial arts master, Jean-Claude Van Damme! This film is well executed and works really well! Of course, expect some great fight scenes from the one and only, but also the film is a great idea and is defently one of his best pictures.
I recommend this film if your an action, martial arts junky!
Every one knows Van Dammes film are easy watching and can be watched over and over again. This is film is no exception!
Overall a great film.
hes baaaack
Review date: 2003-10-31 Rating: 8 out of 10
Well this film surprised me ive always been a fan of Ringo Lam for his Hong Kong work namly Full Contact, Prison on Fire 1/2, City On Fire and The Victim, but i didnt expect much from this film its another straight to video production and the budget was pretty low BUT it is very enjoyable its not great nor is it his best film but its good popcorn fun the acting is good from Van damme and his best performance as an actor its good because he has very few lines but his physical acting is very good expecially as the replicant hes quite touching, innocent and a couple of scenes funny, the action is a departure its rough ant tumble with acrobatics rather than highly chorographed fights not roundhouse kicks here but it suits the movie the flow of the story is good i dont remember being disapointed by any scene by the way it was executed you have to take the budget into account and Ringo has done very well with it i remember Ringo saying after he made Maximum Risk with Van Damme that JCVD couldnt act for s**t i guess this is why JCVD put so much into this one my only critisim is that the torch (the bad van damme) should have been more sickening the things he was doing should have made the audience hate him which we did but we should have hated him more some of the things he did were'nt as shocking as they should have been, but this is a minor gripe, as the film is a good popcorn movie and Van Dammes best in years and can be found at about a fiver which i bought it for now its worth every penny
VAN DAMME IS BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER!!!
Review date: 2002-01-21 Rating: 10 out of 10
This is the best movie that the action super star Jean Claude Van Damme has ever made and I must say it will be hard for him to make another one any better. If you are not a Van Damme fan, you will be after seeing this movie. It is pure action, which is very much thanks to the great director RINGO LAM. The movie itself is great but the acting from Van Damme makes it that much more special. The Muscles from brussels has stared in many great movies such as UNIVERSAL SOLDIER, TIMECOP and HARD TARGET and they do not compare to the brilliance of this one. Go and buy this movie it is well worth the money.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Pam Hyatt
Brandon James Olson
Jean-Claude Van Damme
Catherine Dent
Michael Rooker
Creators:
Jean-Claude Van Damme (Primary Contributor)
Michael Rooker (Primary Contributor)
Avi Lerner (Producer)
Boaz Davidson (Producer)
Danny Dimbort (Producer)
Danny Lerner (Producer)
David Dadon (Producer)
Larry Riggins (Writer)
Les Weldon (Writer)
Director(s):
Recording label: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
EAN: 5035822164635
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 2002-01-07
Number of discs: 1
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 96 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2001-07-11
Language: Bulgarian (Subtitled)
Language: Dutch (Subtitled)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: Hungarian (Subtitled)
Language: Polish (Subtitled)
Language: English (Original Language)