On N List of Movie Reviews

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Nowhere to Run (1993)

Rate: 8
Viewed: 11/11, 3/20

NowhereRun
11/11: You better be careful because Jean-Claude will Van Damme anyone who threatens a family.

Nowhere to Run is maybe his best movie which has it all: cast, acting, story, villains, drama, action, and realism. You'll see plenty of action movies from the 80's and 90's with so many shadow punches and kicks, but not in Nowhere to Run. All of Van Damme's scenes are outstanding. Ditto for the motorcycle stunt work.

I love the cast: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Rosanna Arquette, Joss Ackland, Ted Levine, and even the hideous-looking Kieran Culkin. Because of Mookie, there are a lot of similarities between this film and Shane. Van Damme plays a likable character despite the fact that he's an escaped felon. He's easy to root for because we want him to protect the family.

All in all, Nowhere to Run is a can't-miss Van Damme classic.

3/20: Talk about a hero who comes out of nowhere to save a family.

Nowhere to Run reminds me of Shane big time. Jean-Claude Van Damme is Alan Ladd, and Kieran Culkin is Brandon deWilde. The boy searches for a father figure, and he can't let Sam go after finding one in him. At the same time, the mother is about to lose her house to bad guys who want to turn the land into a real estate development.

There's plenty of action, and the gripping story works well. Van Damme shows off his classy side that reminds me of the actors from 40's pictures and prominently displays street fighting skills as opposed to the usual as seen in Bloodsport, Kickboxer, and Lionheart.

All in all, I consider Nowhere to Run to be Jean-Claude Van Damme's best film.