ironhorse_iv Review of The Quest

The Quest (1996)

The Quest is what Street Fighter the movie, should had been! It's a lots of fun. It's worth searching on a quest for, even if the plot is paper thin.

[6/10 · 13 March 2017]

Taken from earlier draft of a prequel or remake of 1973's 'Enter the Dragon' by martial artist, Frank Dux and rewritten by Steven Klein, Paul Mones & Jean-Claude Van Damme. The film tells the story of American pickpocket turn Thai fighter, Christopher Dubois (Jean-Claude Van Damme) entering a martial arts tournament in the mysterious "Lost City" in Tibet, in a quest to win the "Golden Dragon", a valuable statue made of solid gold, against some of the best fighters, the world has to offer. Without spoiling the movie also directed by Jean-Claude Van Damme; as much as other critics might hate this movie for resemblance too much on the same premise of having a Kumite like tournament, like Van Damme's previous hit, 1988's 'Bloodsport'. I found this movie to a lot of fun to watch, because it showcase a lot of unique fighting styles from around the world. After all, where else, would you see a movie where a Brazilian Capoeira fighter (César Carneiro) take on a Chinese drunken animalistic style fighter (Peter Wong)! I don't even, mind the director using cartoony sound effects and slow moments to show, how power, the fighter's hits were. These fights are the best part of the movie, besides the music by composer, Randy Edelman. My problem with the movie is how long, it takes for the tournament part to be established. The pacing is driven in a snail pace. It takes forever to establish anything. In this movie's timeline; it takes 6 months for the fight to start. Honestly, do we really need the scenes of old man, Chris fight thugs in the bars!? The film starts with old man telling his story to the bartender as a framing device, only to ends with a completely different one with a book being closed. Where did the hell, did that come from!? Also, did the audience really the Oliver Twist opening with the kids!? It's not like the film shows what happen to them!? Better, what was the point of the pirates of the South China Sea moment with mercenary Englishman, Lord Edgar Dobbs (Roger Moore) & his assistant, Harry Smythe (Jack McGee)!? I guess, it's supposed to show, Christopher's attitude toward 'stealing' throughout his life & his quest for rebirth as a man, by fighting for honor. However, that message, get drag down by the revenge subplot in which, one of the fighters kills a friend of Chris in the tournament. Not only that; but the dive subplot, established later in the film doesn't make sense, since Chris would get hurt, regardless. Because of that, I found the film to deliver a mixed message. It really hurt the film, as a whole. Another thing that damages the movie is the lack of historic & geography research. It bug me, when I saw that the film shows Okinawa and Korea, as a separate country, when in truth, by 1920, both were already, part of Imperial Japan. The same with Scotland, which in fact, was part of the United Kingdom, and Mongolia & Russia was part of the Soviet Union. In fact, the movie makes a big goof, when they introduce, the continent of Africa as a country. I don't think, the filmmakers care. Because they didn't even bother, correcting scenes like the Spanish fighter (Pete Malota), have an Albanian flag embodied in his belt. It's so lazy, and jarring. Also, how weird, for the fighters to dress up, in their stereotypical cultural garments? I don't mind it, but it's a bit weird to see, a man try to fight with his balls, hanging out, with a knit. Also, what is with them, fighting in a supposedly lost city in Tibet!? Isn't that country known, for its peaceful ways of living life!? After all, the most-friendly religious leader in the world, the Dalai Lama, once lived there. That's really bizarre, just as much, as how a Belgian sounding American from the Empire States doesn't have a New Yorker accent. Don't get me wrong, Jean Van Damme is fine in the movie, during the action scenes, but his acting chops is below average, big time. Regardless of the main actor's performance, the supporting cast did pick up the slack, with Roger Moore holding the project, together, when the fight scenes isn't going on. His performance in this film was very charming, even if Moore, himself, says, that he hates this movie. So mad props to him. Also, how cool was it to see James Numar in a minor roles, as American boxer, Maxine Devine. His presence in the film, was a blast to watch, along with Janet Gunn, as news writer, Carrie Newton. I also have to praised, the movie's beautiful production design. Lots of amazing scene, wonderfully filmed in Thailand. Overall: Even with its flaws, it's entertaining enough for the movie to be still worth fighting for. While, it might not be the best martial arts movie, out there. I still highly recommended seeing 'The Quest' for how goofy, it is.