AN EX-COMBAT DESERT STORM VETERAN IS HIRED AS A BODYGUARD BY A FORMER WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING CHAMP TO PROTECT HIS FAMILY AND HIM AGAINST A VENGEFUL RAP MUSIC MOGUL.
Overall solid plotline in the style of Van Damme movies but with strong supporting actors.
John B. (FilmFanwithCat) from MENLO PARK, CA Reviewed on 9/5/2013...
You gotta cheer for Van Damme.
The ultimate guy, kung-fu(or Pilates Karate~?) flick.
Outstanding addition of the Beautiful Vivica A. Fox,
who deserved a larger role in the story.(9.5.2013)
1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Movie Reviews
The party is over
Shadowrun | Nowhere | 03/11/2007
(2 out of 5 stars)
"I humbly admit that I am one of Jean Claude's biggest fans. From Cyborg to Replicant, I've stood by him and his array of slightly predictable yet wildly entertaining films. There were hiccups along the way such as Universal Soldier 2, Knock Off and Street Fighter, but overall, JC has put out some of the best action films of the late eighties and nineties.
Unfortunately, I think it's time he throws in the towel and retires from the cinematic limelight. Compared to some of his recent flops, The Hard Corps isn't horrible; it's just bad. The movie is a stretch to hold your attention. You really don't care due to the poor acting, poor script and poor direction of Sheldon Lettich. (BTW, Mr. Lettich knocked out such classics as Bloodsport and Kickboxer, but he has hit the wall in terms of creativity.) Van Damme is known for his martial arts, but the last several films have portrayed him as too old to do what got him to where he is. Maybe he can't do the splits anymore; maybe he can't do a roundhouse anymore, and maybe we just couldn't care less anymore. Where are the vintage scenes from Timecop or Hard Target? These low-budget, B-movie excuses for plot-line are not only painful but boring. It's not even action any more when you can predict the next scene before it happens.
JC, you are an icon. You're one of the best. I implore you to either return to your roots or give it up before you've ruined your reputation beyond repair."
The Hard Corps
NoWireHangers | Sweden | 08/20/2006
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Jean Claude Van Damme plays an ex-soldier who takes a job as a bodyguard for an ex-boxer and businessman who is threatened by a rap artist who has just been released from prison.
While this is not a great movie, not as good as "In Hell", it's entertaining enough and a step up from Van Damme's previous movie, "Second in Command". Van Damme fans should enjoy it."
Very enjoyable van damme movie
sam the movieman | kew gardens, new york United States | 11/05/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"this very enjoyable jean claude van damme movie he is playing a combat vet who just spent the last 3 years fighting in afghanistan and iraq the action scenes are better than his last movie .acting is good a lot more martial arts oriented good action over all must see for van damme fans ."
Mildly entertaining crossover . . .
trebe | 09/07/2009
(3 out of 5 stars)
"The Hard Corps (2006) is an off-beat, mildly amusing action feature, that makes a bid for the hip hop audience. Action star Jean-Claude Van Damme is Philippe Sauvage, an ex-soldier, now doing personal security work. Retired boxer Wayne Barclay (Razaaq Adoti), needs protection, when Terrell Singletery (Viv Leacock), a man he helped send to prison, is released early. Reluctantly hired by Barclay's sister Tamara (Vivica A. Fox), Sauvage is given complete control over Barclay's security, after he saves the fighter's life in an attempted hit.
Sauvage's assembled team of bodyguards play to mixed reviews, as they foil another attempt on Barclay's life, but the results are not as good at a rally, where the bodyguards apparently take down an innocent man. Barclay likes doing things his way, with his emotions often getting the better of him. Singletery is determined to see Barclay dead, and when he abducts Tamara, it sets the stage for a cartoonish final showdown, which features more of Adoti's fighting skills than Van Damme's.
The film is written and directed by Sheldon Lettich. A frequent collaborator with Van Damme, Lettich also wrote and directed Lionheart (1990), and Double Impact (1991), which featured Dennis Rodman. An action feature that was not meant to be realistic or taken seriously, The Hard Corps mixes gunplay, with a bit of fighting, and a sprinkle of race based humor. Disappointingly this release is fullscreen, without any extras."