Jean-Claude Van Damme’s ‘Kill ‘Em All 2’ is a Streaming Hit Despite Terrible Rotten Tomatoes Reviews

by

As a long-time connoisseur of action films and a dedicated follower of Jean-Claude Van Damme’s illustrious career spanning decades, I must admit that ‘Kill ‘Em All 2’ is a testament to the indomitable spirit of the Muscles from Brussels. This film, much like a fine wine, improves with age, even if it doesn’t win any awards for sophistication or subtlety.

To be fair, I have watched my share of B-movies that would make even the most tolerant cinephile cringe. Yet, there is something endearing about Van Damme’s unapologetic return to the screen in a film as chaotic and predictable as ‘Kill ‘Em All 2.’ It’s like stepping into a time machine and being transported back to the golden age of action films, where plot coherence was optional and action sequences were the main event.

That being said, I must admit that there is a certain charm in the film’s blatant disregard for cinematic conventions. The dialogue is cheesy, the acting ranges from passable to cringeworthy, and the plot twists are as predictable as the tides. Yet, somehow, it all works in a strange, yet satisfying way.

In the end, ‘Kill ‘Em All 2’ is not a masterpiece of cinema artistry, but it is a love letter to the action movies of yesteryears. And for that reason alone, I can’t help but enjoy this messy, action-packed spectacle. If you’re looking for a guilty pleasure this holiday season, ‘Kill ‘Em All 2’ might just be the ticket. Just don’t expect any Oscars on its way.

Oh, and one last thing – if you find yourself questioning the film’s logic or consistency, just remember: in the world of Jean-Claude Van Damme, physics is overrated!

Jean-Claude Van Damme’s newest action flick, titled [movie name], has swiftly demonstrated that the ‘Muscles from Brussels’ still packs a punch – despite the movie itself being disorganized. This sequel to Van Damme’s 2017 action film is now available on Netflix as of December 25, where it finds him reprising his character as the retired CIA operative Phillip, who, unsurprisingly, finds himself once more drawn into another perilous struggle for survival.

In the sequel titled “Kill ‘Em All 2“, directed by Valeri Milev and written by James Agnew, we find protagonist Philip enjoying a tranquil life in Italy alongside his daughter, Vanessa (Jacqueline Fernandez), seven years after the initial storyline. However, this serenity is short-lived, as reminiscent of the disappointing Rotten Tomatoes ratings that often accompany Jean-Claude Van Damme films, trouble soon resurfaces. The brother of one of Philip’s past adversaries emerges with a thirst for vengeance, and events quickly escalate into an intense and action-packed sequence.

The film was made available directly on video-on-demand platforms in September, attracting a series of unfavorable criticisms, a response Van Damme has become accustomed to throughout his career, and appears to be unphased by. While the typical criticisms of an unoriginal storyline, excessive action, and confusion might not matter much for this type of action film nowadays, it is precisely in these areas that the sole critical review on Rotten Tomatoes focuses. Abhishek Srivastava from The Times of India penned:

Watching ‘Kill ‘Em All 2’ feels more like enduring a lesson on average movie-making rather than enjoying a film. The stunning scenery used as backdrops can’t compensate for the movie’s disappointingly shallow content.

‘Kill ‘Em All’ Was One of Van Damme’s Worst Movies and Did Not Need a Sequel

In 2017, the film “Kill ‘Em All” immediately went straight to video format. It failed to receive any critical appraisal on Rotten Tomatoes (yes, it was that poor that not a single critic could stomach reviewing it), and managed only a paltry 20% approval rating from viewers. Curiously, fans are now questioning why such a movie, which ranks among the worst of Van Damje’s extensive career, warranted a follow-up.

User Pike M spared no words in expressing their disdain for the movie, describing it as truly awful and sharing their hope that it might improve. However, they found the ending to be even more disappointing. The presence of Jean-Claude Van Damme and his son Vic was so revolting that it caused them to feel nauseous. After this experience, Pike M has vowed never to waste their time watching Van Damme in any future production.

It’s clear that many others shared this negative opinion about the film. If it had received enough reviews to earn a score on Rotten Tomatoes, it would have struggled to surpass 0%. However, the allure of Netflix has worked its magic yet again, transforming the movie into an unexpected success three months later. It seems that Netflix subscribers can’t get enough of action movies, regardless of their quality or initial reviews. The film’s brief 85-minute runtime might also have contributed to its popularity, as it spared viewers from spending three hours watching over the holiday season.

Regardless of his new projects, Jean-Claude Van Damme remains among the elite action stars like Schwarzenegger, Stallone, and Lundgren – the tough guys who evoke a feeling of nostalgia for the high-octane and violent films they produced in the ’80s and ’90s. So, it’s safe to say that we can continue enjoying more Van Damme action flicks on streaming services for the foreseeable future.

Read More

2024-12-29 18:34