I rate "The Quest" as one of the greatest films in the career of Jean-Claude Van Damme as the movie has a more engaging story than others and there is a more traditional approach to martial arts in general. From the opening scene, it becomes clear that this wasn't going to be just another standard action movie. The inclusion of Roger Moore is a bonus as the dishonest but affable con artist (R.I.P to a television legend) and James Remar makes for a tough but honourable prize fighter. The whole film unfolds in flashback as Van Damme relates to a barkeeper a few things about his life on the New York streets and how he becomes involved with Roger Moore and entering a secretly held martial arts tournament on an island somewhere in Asia. The tournament in question is the main attraction and it's great to see all those fighting styles on display. The contests don't last very long apart from the final one (naturally). Physically speaking, JCVD was just about at his biggest. His arms truly bulge when he tenses them up! The setting being in the Far East is only right as it helps to maintain tradition and also different cultures in the martial arts. The direction by Van Damme is pretty good and he manages to keep the whole film under control. One of his most memorable.
Review of The Quest
