Maximum Risk

Maximum Risk is a standard action flick that respectably fulfils its ambitions. Its biggest positive is that it won’t insult your intelligence like most of the other movies in Van Damme’s filmography. (31.07.2002)

One of those Van Damme movies where you see him twice, and it’s not because he kicked you in the head with a spinning kick. When he first flies through the air in the opening scene like in Naked Gun, I was worried it was going to be a stinker. However, debuting in America, Ringo Lam gradually dispelled those fears. The action delivers physicality and pace, Jean-Claude skillfully hides the iconic bump behind strands of hair, Russian mafia members turn into borscht with growing fury, and he fires from his Beretta with a squinting eye just like Martin Riggs. There’s even a steamy bathroom scene that explains the film’s title and the absence of one legendary element. Doing the splits after this would be a maximum risk for Belgian groin muscles. (26.02.2024)

There's not much to talk about here, it’s an average film practically in every aspect that can be mentioned: action, plot, actors, ending, sets, editing; essentially just another genre routine. But it's still better than the previous few films of the karate master. Here, at least, he’s a solid badass that can kick and doesn't try other styles that don't suit him (comedy, raw drama). Maximum Risk can even be seen multiple times (Natasha Henstridge). (08.05.2005)