Knock Off

Knock Off
by Hark Tsui

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DVD Cover Information

Actor: Carman Lee, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Lela Rochon, Paul Sorvino, Rob Schneider
Director: Hark Tsui
Brand: Sony
Producer: Ken Wu
Producer: Moshe Diamant
Producer: Nansun Shi
Producer: Peter Nelson
Producer: Peter W. Nelson
Producer: Raymond Fung
Writer: Steven E. de Souza
DVD: 2 Sides, Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo; English (Subtitled)
Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Full Screen, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: Anamorphic Widescreen, 2.35:1
Running Time: 91 minutes
DVD Release Date: 1998-12-29
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: Sony Pictures

Movie Reviews of Knock Off

Movie Review: Legend says there are only 36 people who will truly ever love this movie. I'm one. . .are you?
Summary: 5 Stars

This is my all time favorite in the Van Damme library. The first time I saw it in the theater I wasn't really into it. But it wasn't because the movie was poor. My tastes simply hadn't evolved to the point where I could truly appreciate what this film is (I'm serious).

This is a great role for the man. Finally he gets to play against type and do a cocky, fun-loving, anti-hero. His character kinda makes me feel like this is what it would be like to hang with the guy in real life.

Tsui Hark brings a new visual dynamic to a VD movie that wasn't there in previous VD films. Hark is so good that he makes me cool with Rob Schneider, whom I have never been able to stand with the exception of some SNL skits. That right there makes it solid.

Hark also pushed Van Damme to expand into some more physical action, not just punching and kicking. You really only see him do this in Hard Target and Double Team (of course, a Woo film and another Hark film). HK director's know how to make the stars get physical outside the realm of just taking swings at other guys.

VD is cool and confident in this role. He pushes his action in a much more physical and stylized direction. The story is a fun little journey with a few twists and turns to keep it interesting. It's a good movie.

If you think VD is just cheesy and you've never liked him, this probably won't change your mind. If you're on the fence or are a fan, this is one of his best (my personal favorite). But it's VD with a HK sensibility and style here. My guess is that this will appeal more to VD fans than to HK action buffs. Some HK fanboys will call this film sacrilege. It really is the kind of movie that only a small handful of people will really enjoy. Despite being filmed in asia and having and all asian crew, VD keeps it from being a true HK film. He is still an American actor with a Tae Kwon Do background. So not much wire work or gymnastic kung fu. But it's the best you'll see him and that's more than enough for me.

It's got more life and charisma than some of his stale US projects where his characters were more or less the same guy (except Street Fighter, but we don't talk about that). This is far more unique and fresh. The real question is-are you sophisticated enough to truly appreciate the genius that is this film? That is the true challenge.

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Summary of Knock Off

Jean-Claude Van Damme stars in an explosive thriller set in Hong Kongs shady manufacturing scene during the 1997 handover to China!When a shipment of jeans to the U.S. proves counterfeit Marcus Ray the "King of The Knock-Offs" (Van Damme) finds himself at the center of a Russian Mafia plot to hold the United States security for ransom. Thousands of tiny micro-bombs disguised within other manufactured goods are scheduled for departure from Hong Kong to America.When Rays companys jeans are found to be the housing for the explosives he is the one man the CIA can count on to prevent certain disaster! In a territory where loyalty can change hands overnight Marcus Rays survival will depend on him knowing the fakes from the real thing. System Requirements:Starring: Jean-Claude Van Damme Rob Schneider Michael Fitzgerald Wong Carmen Lee Lela Rochon and Paul Sorvino. Directed By: Tsui Hark. Running Time: 91 Min. Color. This film is presented in both "Widescreen" and "Standard" formats. Copyright 2000 Columbia TriStar Home Video.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre:?ACTION/ADVENTURE Rating:?R UPC:?043396258891

Having based so much of his career on the films from the region, Jean Claude Van Damme heads to Hong Kong itself for Knock Off. Set in the 72 hours running up to the British handover to China (and released a mere year after the actual event), the film's action centers around the colony's thriving bootleg business, tied in with a rather convoluted plot concerning the CIA, Russian Mafia, and an attempt to hold the United States ransom through covert attacks. The opening section unwisely tries Van Damme's hand at knockabout humor with partner Rob Schneider but merely proves that the star is severely lacking the sort of humorous touch that Arnold Schwarzenegger has so successfully utilized. Once Knock Off descends into more familiar Van Damme territory, the film--and its leading man--are on surer ground. There are a good deal of spectacular fight sequences, some amazing stunts, and a feisty female sparring partner in the form of Lela Rochen. Even the always-reliable Paul Sorvino pops up. Director Tsui Hark hits upon some interesting and initially invigorating visual effects but soon overdoes them, actually highlighting the lack of decent story rather than enhancing it. There is an incredible film to be made about this period in history but this isn't it. Knock Off is merely another undemanding, high-kicking, high-octane vehicle for Van Damme. --Phil Udell

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