THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE
THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE
Storyline
When a shipment of jeans to the U.S. proves counterfeit, Marcus Ray, the "King of Knock-Offs" 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 schedulled for departure from Hong Kong to America.
When Ray's company's jeans are found to be the housing for the explosives, he's the one man the CIA can count on to prevent certain disaster! In a territory where loyalty can change hands overnight, Marcus Ray's survival will depend on him knowing the fakes from the real thing.
We could not decide to which category this film belongs in. Does it belong in the big budget Hollywood category or the HK category? We have reason to believe that Tsui Hark was just as indecisive. Was he trying to make an American action film or an Asian action film?
Tsui Hark incorporates some stylistic camera work into the action scenes to mask over the fact that most of the American actors in this film are not very adept at executing a fast-paced, high-energy Hong Kong fight sequence as well as their Asian counterparts. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't appearing almost comical. Special effects are rather cheesy, especially the booger-green explosions throughout the film. The action doesn't measure up to Hong Kong standards, but is quite passable for the moronic American public who prefer to leave their brains at home when they go to a film.
Jean Claude Van Damme in one of his finest roles to date. He blends action with perfect comedic timing, well not really. It seems that Van Damme's finest acting skill is doing an impersonation of Lou Ferrigno's Incredible Hulk, he tears of his shirt and looks really pissed off at the height of action sequences. What's a matter Van Damme? Is the shirt too heavy for you. It's still better than some of his early work like Cyborg, Bloodsport, Kickboxer, Lionheart, Death Warrant, and Black Eagle. Okay, so it's better than all of his early work.
As far as the story goes, I guess it doesn't really matter. The acting is lifted from the gutter by the appearance by Paul Sorvino, Knock Off is the film he should've won an Oscar for. He was robbed I tell you...Robbed! The dialogue is laughable at times, and even the one liners don't work. But all in all, it's good fun. Check out Double Team for a similar type movie, just substitute Dennis Rodman for Rob Schneider.
Rating: 
/ 10
