A lot of films have been shot about kickboxing, or rather, a large number of fighters use kickboxing anyway to attract the audience, but in this article we will consider only the best films about kickboxing. Perhaps the ones that started it all. And in both involved unfading Jean-Claude Van Damme.
Kickboxer (1989)
Undefeated world kickboxing champion Eric Sloan, in search of stronger rivals, goes to the homeland of Muay Thai (Thai boxing), where he wants to face off with a "killing machine", which hails from those places - Tong Po. Of course, for an American, it all ends in an unintelligent way: Tong-Po breaks Eric's spine, and he has never walked on the ground with his feet ever since. His brother Kurt (Jean-Claude Van Damme) is shocked. His first thought was to find and destroy Tong Po. By chance, Kurt Sloan meets a former soldier - Winston Taylor. He says that perhaps he can help him and introduces Kurt to his teacher Zian.
Then everything goes according to the scenario that will later become classic: Kurt was not a very cool fighter before, but he is training hard. At first, nothing comes of it, but, pushing through all the difficulties and comprehending the secrets of martial arts, he goes to the level of Tong Po and even surpasses him.
The fight is also a classic of the genre: Van Damme's hero is beaten in mortal combat, but then he rises almost from the ashes and punishes Tong-Po without killing him (this is important). The film is rightfully included in the category of “Best Kickboxing Films”.
Searching for Adventure (1996)
In the 7 years since Kickboxer was released, Van Damme has a good track record not only in the production of action scenes, but also in the art of directing and screenwriting, which resulted in the feature film "In Search of Adventure."
Christopher Dubois (Jean-Claude Van Damme) - virtually homeless, stealing money from the mafia for his guys from a street gang (children have nothing to eat). The mafia is hunting him. The police are also connected to it. Christopher makes his way to the ship in order to hide on it. By chance, he falls into the hold, loses consciousness and comes to his senses already in the open sea. Then, of course, they discover him. As a result of all misadventures, he finds himself on an island in the Gulf of Thailand, where the natives and comprehends the wisdom of Muay Thai (Thai boxing).
But this is only preparation. The entire plot of the film is formed around the "mortal battle" - "Gan-gene", where the best fighters from around the world are invited. Initially, Christopher Dubois was not supposed to participate in the contest, but by the will of fate and people, he is obliged to represent the interests of the United States of America in this demonstration of human cruelty.
The motion picture is also rightfully included in the category “Best Kickboxing Films”.
Kickboxer (2016)
You can’t talk about Kickboxer and not say about the next remake. Apparently, the plot will be the same. As once in the original film, not the most famous actors are involved . The most famous will be Jean-Claude Van Damme himself. This is probably such a move, but he will play the mentor Kurt Sloan. There is a chance that this movie will fail at the box office and will definitely not fall into the category of “best kickboxing films”. It is a pity that a very good first film gives rise to such epigones as endless clones or tasteless remakes. There is nothing to be done - the time has come for a crisis of ideas.