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Replicant [Region 2]
![Replicant [Region 2]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/415J9R11YJL._SL160_.jpg)
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List Price: N/A
Our Price: $75.99
Availability: N/A
Starring: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Michael Rooker, Catherine Dent, Brandon James Olson, Pam Hyatt
Directed By: Ringo Lam
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Binding: DVD
EAN: 4011976656531
Format: PAL
Region Code: 2
Theatrical Release Date: 2001
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Editorial Reviews:
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Jean-Claude Van Damme (star of Timecop and Universal Soldier) plays two roles in this surprisingly good action thriller. Replicant also stars Michael Rooker (of Henry, Portrait of a Serial Killer, The Replacement Killers) as Jake Riley, a cop who's been tracking a serial killer called "The Torch" (Van Damme). Frustrated, Riley decides to retire--and the National Security Department makes him an offer: they've cloned "The Torch" as part of a program to track down terrorists; they'll turn this replicant (Van Damme again, of course) over to Riley as a sort of test run for the program. The idea is that the replicant will slowly recall the original person's memories and lead the cops to the original. It's ridiculous, but no more ridiculous than the setup for the highly successful Face/Off, and it works just as well as the engine for an effective action flick. What makes Replicant more unusual is that the writers actually put some thought into the relationship between Riley and the replicant, which starts to mirror parent-child relationships in emotionally complex ways. Furthermore, while it's no surprise that Rooker gives a solid performance, it is surprising that Van Damme does just as good a job in both of his roles--he's perfectly creepy as the serial killer and genuinely affecting as the quickly developing replicant, projecting a mixture of innocence and turmoil. Replicant was directed by Hong Kong director Ringo Lam, the man behind Full Contact and City on Fire. He was clearly working on a limited budget, but the movie looks good, moves with lean efficiency, and has some riveting action sequences and good quality effects--the scenes where Van Damme (inevitably!) fights himself are completely convincing. A satisfying movie. --Bret Fetzer
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: my favorite of the more recenet van damme films
Comment: Replicant is probably the most complete Van Damme movie made. It has everything from an enjoyable and well paced plot, solid characters with pretty good acting, and wonderful action scenes.
This is not the first movie to have 2 Van Damme main characters. Double Impact was actually the first, but unlike that film, the two in Replicant are actually much more different and are pretty much enemies for the most part. The first Van Damme character we are introudced to is the villain, and Van Damme actually does a really good job fullfilling this role. The villain is not your typical bad guy - this guy is just dirty and has issues. He is obsessed with not only killing, but burning all the "bad" mothers he comes in contact with, in return for his own mistreated youth. It seems like nothing can stop this guy in the film, and he rarely gives a care about who gets in the way. He has no trouble killing others and putting plenty in harms way.
The other Van Damme character is a clone created in a government program, that hopes clones can successfully sense their real life counterparts, and lead the cops to the villain. At first, the clone goes through some training and has a difficult time adjusting to life, but eventually learns. He finally comes in contact with his villain counterpart, in a series of either rough fights or attempts to join sides with his real life self.
The other notable character in the film is Jake (Michael Rooker) who has been hunting down the suspect for a long time, and with still no success, decides to retire. The villain still wants him dead, and thats when Jake is asked to work with the clone in the new program to help find the murderer once and for all. There are definetly some emotional moments between himself and the clone - moments of frustration, humor, carelessness, and eventually some bonding.
As for action, the scenes are well placed throughout the plot of the movie. All the action never dissapoints, and the fights are very hardcore - from bodies flying, to objects breaking in every scene, each fight is a brutal one. The finale of the movie has the greatest action of all, and mainly involves an intense ambulance driving scene in a parking garage, where Jake is trying to stop the murderer from escaping. There is also plenty of fight action too.
This is one of Van Damme's better movies, and best performances, playing two very different roles well. The movie works well altogther, and is enjoyable in more areas that just the action department. Perhaps one of the last of the great Van Damme movies made is this one. You won't be dissapointed.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Excellent return to form for Van Damme!
Comment: Absolutely amazing. I mean, the guy had been written off for so long, I really didn't have many expectations for this movie, but it was a surprise and a half. The GOOD kind, too.
Ringo Lam also directed the tepid Van Damme film "Maximum Risk", but at least the fight scenes showed panache. You'll find this film mirrors "The Sixth Day" (if for no other reason but that Michael Rooker stars in both), and actually beats it for sheer watchability.
It's a lot of fun to see Van Damme brutalize any innocent bystander that gets in his way; he must have had a ball with that role. On the other hand, watching him perfect his 'Rain Man' side added a touch of pathos and humour as well--I think this movie represents his best acting yet, and believe me, that is saying a lot.
Some of the deleted scenes should have been left in for further character development, but overall, it's a tight, well-paced thriller/action film that really deserved a theatre release. Absolutely recommended.
Customer Rating:
Summary: GENETICALLY YOURS
Comment: REPLICANT as indicated in the Amazon review is a surprisingly good movie. Jean Claude van Damme gives one of his most convincing performances in two roles: a slimy serial killer called the Torch who has been murdering mothers and their babies, and as his genetic double, a kind of childlike replicant. The clone was done in order to try and retrace the movements of the real Torch, but also as a governmental experiment to initiate further plans for the future. Van Damme is repulsive as the Torch and quite convincing as the new Torch, who is put under the care of former cop, now secret service agent Michael Rooker. Rooker gives a compelling performance and the relationship that develops between he and the genetic double is well developed. Ringo Lam directs with a sure eye and the action scenes are well executed. A very surprising entry for van Damme and a good actioner overall.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Based on a true story?
Comment: To try and catch an elusive serial killer called The Torch the government creates a full grown clone complete with an ESP gene. Once hatched they handcuff him to a table force him to watch kung-fu movies then just beat the crap out of him day and night until he has the mind set of a killer.
Way too much "serious" acting and not enough groin kicking. The fight scene at the end was cool but that's about it. Ringo Lam can do much better: FULL CONTACT, PRISON ON FIRE 1 & 2, IN HELL.
The one bright spot was Michael Rooker's extreme overacting.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Over the hill...
Comment: and past his prime to B-movieland he goes. Van Damme? Ho hum. Now free to embrace the old superheros retirement home along with pals Stallone, Schwarzaneggar & Segall et al, Damme(it)'s cardboard acting (indeed the entire flick) which delivers action that rivals a race between two slugs and character development, envisages twiggy-like thin-ness. Watch this movie as you would drying paint - in anticipation of fini!
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![Replicant [Region 2] :: Martial Arts Movies and Kung Fu Videos Database :: Grandmaster Video](http://www.grandmastervideo.com//images/top1a.gif "Replicant [Region 2] :: Martial Arts Movies and Kung Fu Videos Database :: Grandmaster Video")
![Replicant [Region 2] :: Martial Arts Movies and Kung Fu Videos Database :: Grandmaster Video](http://www.grandmastervideo.com//images/top2a.gif "Replicant [Region 2] :: Martial Arts Movies and Kung Fu Videos Database :: Grandmaster Video"){kind=small}
![Replicant [Region 2] :: Martial Arts Movies and Kung Fu Videos Database :: Grandmaster Video](http://www.grandmastervideo.com//images/top3a.gif "Replicant [Region 2] :: Martial Arts Movies and Kung Fu Videos Database :: Grandmaster Video")
![Replicant [Region 2] :: Martial Arts Movies and Kung Fu Videos Database :: Grandmaster Video](http://www.grandmastervideo.com//images/top1b.gif "Replicant [Region 2] :: Martial Arts Movies and Kung Fu Videos Database :: Grandmaster Video"){kind=small}