Deathwish - Van Damme style!
The Jean Claude Van Damme Review Matrix (JCVD-RM)

1. Who is he? Ben Archer, a worn down bouncer with weatherbeaten features who's ready to quit his rugged life at high-profile clubs (think Swayze from Road House, but with an accent)
2. Which family member/friend must be avenged? His wife Cynthia (Lisa King) gets her throat slit (gruesome close-up afterwards), his father-in-law gets blasted, and his mother-in-law gets an explosive head-shot from close range (like popping a water balloon with a pin).
3. Does he take his shirt off? Because it's such an essential plot device, there is an early shower scene, a sex scene, and a bath scene in which JCVD is shirtless.
4. Does he have sex with a C-List actress? He gets to "say goodbye" to Cynthia very early in Cinemax-quality bawdy tryst.
5. Is there a tournament? This is a grisly, evil, realistic battle to the death. It's JCVD at his skull-crushing darkest. There is no time for a stupid tournament with rules.
6. Is training needed for this tournament? Didn't you hear me!? JCVD has people to maim, kill, and torture!
7. Does he do the splits in training or in the tournament? This is serious! Borderline psychotic executioners do not do the splits.
8. Does he punch someone in the balls? No, but his brother punches someone in the balls, and performs a free castration later.
9. Does he do a series of flying or 360 kicks? He's fighting the Chinese Triad. What do you think?
10. Is his enemy unbeatable? No. In fact, JCVD kills about 50 guys who previously thought they were unbeatable.
11. Does he overcome an injury or other hindrance? No hindrance, this is all about the revenge killing.
12. Does he win? JCVD does everything but cure cancer in this one. You're damn right he wins.

I think the message in this one is that JCVD is against human trafficking, drugs, and the Chinese Triad. Basically, a Chinese girl named Kim runs away after her mother is murdered, becomes an import into America, gets pseudo-adopted by an INS agent, Cynthia Archer, and is tracked down by her Chinese Triad father named Sun Quan - the same guy who killed Kim's mother. During the hunt for his daughter, Sun Quan's people kill everyone Archer knows, and in doing so, they unleash the Charles Bronson within JCVD.

The action rivals the blockbuster movies spewed forth by the biggest budget of Hollywood movies. Awesome fights and action, a motorcycle chase that could be in the X-Games, a few graphic, gruesome deaths, superb acting (JCVD's best acting to date), great cinematography, and one of the top five car chases in cinema history, there really isn't anything missing. A few of the deaths are stunning, and along with the ominous music, are almost Tarantinoesque. One particularly gory moment involves some angry associates of JCVD, a power-drill, and an unfortunate enemy with information.

I can't give this movie enough credit. It should have made it to theatres. It's better than the majority of action movies that have been produced in the last ten years. In my opinion, this could easily be considered the best of all JCVD movies. Wake of Death is highly recommended for not just JCVD-aholics, but action fans as well.

[3.5] Nothing too original here
It's another action movie with a story of revenge, but Wake of Death takes itself more seriously than one would expect of the typical Van Damme film. Realism has taken over (in most of Van Damme's recent films) resulting in better acting and plot details, and some bloodier action but less of it.

The directing and music set a tone that places Wake of Death in an action/revenge category a bit more sophisticated than the rest. However, if we wanted to see a beautiful epic drama there are plenty of other films out there with superb acting and stories, this is not that, but to see how far Van Damme is maturing in this sense is a bit of a treat, as is the bonus of some action that won't always be found in the other hollywood films. Wake of Death focuses more on story, though it is just a matter of revenge, it pays attention to some details keeping it interesting between action scenes, which there are not very many of until the last 30 minutes of the film.

I personally prefer watching Van Damme films for the action, and in the case of Wake of Death the action element is not completely satisfied. The good news is the action is contained in a certain reality, making things flow better with the story. However, the car chase scenes were a bit distracting to enjoy, as the scenes were not smooth but appeared choppy with fequent editing and directing. The hand to hand combat scenes were almost always over before they began, so do not expect any martial arts like in the good ole days (no Kickboxer of Bloodsport here).

The story focuses around a Chinese Triad member (Simon Yam) , and father, who's young 14 year old girl has fled to the U.S. after witnessing the death of her mother by her father's knife. Ben Archer's (Van Damme) wife takes her in out of kindess, but good deeds seem to go unrewarded as the father and his gang come to the U.S., very ticked off and will have nothing stand in their way. The worst occus (though predictable) and Ben Archer's son is also kidnapped. He thus sets out for revenge and to get his son back. Simon Yam (KillZone) does an ok job as appearing villainous but never overwhelmed me as a great opponent for Van Damme.

Wake of Death should be viewed by Van Damme fans. Action is there, though not as much as one would hope, but it's a neat watch to see how Van Damme has changed his film style around over the years, where the action has gone away, improved acting and well-created story (though unoriginal) have emerged.

Acting - 4
Action - 3
Characters - 3.5
Story - 3.5
Overall - 3.5

Van Damme has grown
Now you know action/adventure actors are never highly regarded among the hollywood who's who. Yet after seeing this movie I've witnessed the growth of a superstar from one who just kicked butts to one who truly conveyed the screenwriter's and director's thoughts from the script to the screen. In other words he ROCKED and so did Yam. Loved the stunts too.

Underrated actor-Van Damme Shines Again!!
His look fits the character. His reactions to family deaths are very realistic. Amazing stage presence with an underlying dark yet courageous feel to Van Damme's character.
Once again, Van Damme delivers a powerful tear jerking performance without over-acting his role. His costars arent too shabby either.
I have reviewed some of Van Damme's more recent films including " In Hell"
and one of my all time favorites from Van Damn "Until Death". The difference maker in his latest films is a creative director and producer who focus on believable characters that show vulnerability and human weakness that we all have to some extend in real life. In turn, the audience can relate to Van Damme's character in these movies because they are not "super human" and "far fetched" like the boring and repetitive Steven Seagal characters.
Let me say that I think Steven Seagal is a wonderful person in real life who participates in various charities. On the other hand, he needs to show more weaknesses and not be afraid to change his looks in his movies, IE: grow a beard or even wear some glasses for at least an hour of the movie.
Now, Van Damme isn't afraid to be "un-attractive" or even "un-likable" in his movies. That is the hallmark of a great actor.
I notice that many of the A list Hollywood actors "overact" their roles and yet, they manage to get nominated for starring in boring movies.
Van Damme delivers another excellent performance in this dark thriller without over acting.
I rate this movie 5 stars-

Wake of a Career
Wake of Death is one of Jean-Claude Van Damme's latest attempts at dramatic acting. I have to admit, I grew up watching Van Damme and I like the guy. I would love to see him do a great serious film and revive his action film career. I think he could make a great action film if the right script and imaginative director came along.

Sadly, Jean-Claude is not as flexible as he was back in '89 (I'd love to see a gratuitous split shot now!) so the Wake of Death relies heavily on shootouts, car chases and dialogue. Dialogue has never been Jean-Claude's strong point. The film is a bit boring, overdramatic, far-fetched and lacks a satisfying conclusion. The direction by Philippe Martinez is stylish in places but ultimately comes up short in the really important parts: the action scenes.
I lucked out by getting the DVD for under $6. The film has possibilities and it got my expectations up but unfortunately it falls short.

Recommended for huge Van Damme fans only. Check out these films first: Hard Target/Sudden Death
Bloodsport
Timecop