In Hell

I'm not proud of the fact that I've now seen this twice when I could have rewatched a great film instead. Such as 'Cool Hand Luke', for example, a film I believe 'In Hell' aspires to be, throwing in a dash of 'Shawshank'-ness for good measure. It's actually not a very bad film, one of JCVD's better efforts in fact. It's no 'Timecop' / 'Bloodsport' either, though.

Worst premise ever. But it's awkwardly entertaining at times, especially miraculous caveman Van Damme.

It's shockingly dark pulp core elevates it. But not much.

Objectively, it's horrible, but the ridiculousness of the first ten minutes and my unwavering dedication to Van Damme (who, for what it's worth, tries to act in this one) has me rating this solidly mediocre.

The plot has been done several times over, and Van Damme even takes on another prison film himself. It's full of tacky effects and every cliche in the prison-movie book. But as a Van Damme film, it's better than some of his other efforts. The opening scenes are flat-out terrible, the fight scenes are okay, but at least it attempts to be serious - it could be a lot worse.

Remarkable the fighting is closer to wrestling/UFC fighting with very little of Jean-Claude's usual roundhouse kicking and splits. If one doesn't expect a realistic portrayal of a Russian prison and can look through the stereotypes, hey it's a JCVD movie what does one expect?, it's pretty decent and enjoyable.

Lots of men grunting, yelling and moaning.

Released in 2003, this movie feels like it was made 83...though I don't think that's on purpose. Marvel as JCVD fist-fights his way into the hearts of approximately three-score Eastern bloc prisoners...all without using a single roundhouse kick or a drop-splits-nad-punch (copyright 1985, all rights reserved).

With a better director and much better music, this could have been a pretty good movie. You can't say that about too many Van Damme straight-to-dvd flicks.

Weak Van Damme Movie

I actually thought I was going to rewatch another awful movie, that I vaguely remembered, and has the exact same premise. Apparently this is an awful ripoff of that other awful movie.

Good intense storyline.

Not too shabby!