Replicant – Blu-ray Review
The Film:
One of the odder elements in Jean-Claude Van Damme’s long action career, is the number of times he’s played dual roles. For those not keeping track at home, it’s been 5 times (Double Impact, Timecop, Maximum Risk, The Order, and Replicant). That might be some sort of acting record. In Replicant, I wished they didn’t use him in that regard, because the film fails to really explore anything within this idea. It’s a confused sci-fi yarn, a desperate attempt to revitalize JCVD’s glory days. Timecop this ain’t.
Released in 2001, a handful of years since the decline of his U.S. stardom, Jean-Claude Van Damme was becoming a product of a by gone era. Action changed drastically in 1999, with the release of 1999′s Matrix, and many stars, not just Van Damme, got the direct-to-video boot. If anything, Replicant features a good performance by Michael Rooker (Mallrats, Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer), and is one of the better DTV flicks Van Damme would appear in. The plot is pure B-movie fodder, with a brutal serial killer on the loose (played nicely and against type by Van Damme), and the only way to stop him is to clone him. It’s been done before, and the whole sci-fi angle is a bit half-baked. Even at 101 minutes, the film doesn’t really follow through on the scenario. When JCVD plays the clone, he’s naturally nubile minded, and some of the scenes of him reacting to something or learning, in this long-term Van Damme fan’s eyes, are a bit tough to watch. Van Damme shines though, when he is playing Edward “The Torch” Garrotte, the serial killer. I like seeing him stretch, and play against type.
Rooker is awesome, and outshines JCVD. Now, that might sound like a no-brainer to the non-JCVD fans, but this film is more plot than action. Ringo Lam, a long time Hong Kong action director, brings some flair to the film when the little action does come up. His collaborations with JCVD haven’t been met to any box office success, but he’s far from the worst director Van Damme has worked with. A late entry into his filmography, Replicant doesn’t add anything new to his tricks or the sci-fi action genre, but as a DTV it’s a pretty decent time. As for Ringo Lam, I preferred his Maximum Risk as a good effort, and as a dual role for JCVD.
The Blu-ray:
Audio/Video: This Lionsgate release is a decent one. The overall image is kind of bright, rendering night scenes or blacks soft. Other than that, details are high, contrast sharp, and while a few scenes are pretty grainy, given the nature of the production, it’s an okay release. The DTS track rumbles however. Bass heavy, loud, active rear surrounds, many will be pleased by what LGF gave this film.
Commentary: Our main man Van Damme appears with Michael Rooker and is a mildly entertaining track. Nothing too deep, but fun regardless. It’s always good to have JCVD included in the supplements, as he isn’t as much as I would like. This extra was also on the previous DVD release years ago, so it’s not new.
Deleted Scenes and Storyboards finish off the extras.
Conclusion: For a Van Damme fan, one can see worst. Not his best, but for 2001 and until JCVD, a fan can’t go wrong. The Lionsgate Blu-ray is okay as well.
The Film: Rating: 
The Blu-ray: Rating:
