Lionheart (1990) - Retrospective / Review

[@stevecheevers7337]

One of Van Damme's more underrated films during his purple patch of the late 80's and early 90's, probably his best performance too and more heartfelt efforts as well for a action film anyway. Had a great buddy partnership with Harrison Page as Joshua, as his manager. The female villain wasn't great, but the action scenes especially the last one was fun. Not up there with Bloodsport or Universal Solider as Van Damme's best but deserves a watching.

[@adrian2712]

I love the female villain!! This entire film is greatness. The pace, the storyline, the supporting casts and writing....hell even the "wanna use my phone cuz" -guy nailed it..along with helene gautier. Im completely consumed every time i watch it.

[@adrian2712]

And the music was great

[@m.a6141]

@Paul By far my fav movie

[@m.a6141]

@@adrian2712 the female villain was iconic

[@RaikenXion]

I always felt Van Damme worked best when he was paired with a buddy or mentor figure.

[@gokinsmen]

"The whole bet's on Attila!" "WRONG BET."

[@johnconnor210]

Lionheart was one my favorite martial art films of the 90s. I rented several times on VHS. In fact I rented the movie so many times the clerk at the VHS rental store referred to me as lionheart.

[@Heisman-em8gp]

I thought I was the only one that loved this movie like that. It inspired me to do Tae kwon doe.

[@johnconnor210]

@Heisman 2019 same here. I studied karate for a short time in the 90s.

[@pskarts20]

JCVD is great I love how they always have to explain his accent. Death warrant is my favorite example.

[@psychodynamicnaturalhistor437]

My favorite is Universal Soldier where he just goes "what accent?"

[@ThePalaeontologist]

Glad to see another review. In the last few months you became my no.1 favourite reviewer, even ahead of Redlettermedia which is saying a lot because I followed and liked their content for years now. Fantastic, professional work. Keep it going.

[@OliverHarper]

Cheers buddy!

[@ThePalaeontologist]

Oliver Harper No problem, seriously deserve many more views on your videos, but thats the way things go, quality can be hidden.

[@78Bigtank]

Awesome review bro it's one of my favorite movies ever

[@StevenSmith-mk5fg]

A lot of people rank this as his best movie. Well, back then at least. I think it's due to the variety of fights he has although personally, I always loved Kickboxer

[@robertbeckman2054]

His peak film, period. Best overall fights, interesting story, good child actor to pull at the heart strings, fun buddy film with Joshua (faster swearer in the world), and an excellent score.

[@VikingSamurai]

I just made a Lionheart video myself and one of the commenters pointed me to your video. Great video, I just subbed!

[@OliverHarper]

Thanks dude! I just watched your recent Bloodsport video on the other fighters featured in the film. Very well researched. Good job!

[@VikingSamurai]

@@OliverHarper Thanks, glad you liked it!

[@Knight622ny]

Just watched this on Amazon Prime. Made my day. Please review Double Impact and Nowhere to Run

[@Sc19869]

I grew up on van dame vhswatching him with my pops. he will always be a legend, very underrated actor in my opinion.

[@jamesd4267]

They should have definitely kept the part with Cynthia visiting him in the hospital and seeing that he has an injury. Because she seems to know that there is something wrong with him and sets up all the bets at the end of the movie. I never understood how she would assume Van Damme had an issue. And how Attila knew to hit him in the ribs.

[@thestoner9148]

Hi Oliver I really like the review. This is one of my favorite Van Damme movies. It has a really good story and I love the score. I agree that the ending of the movie is very uplifting with the score. I think the fight scenes are good not as good as "Bloodsport". I think Van Damme was going for something different with his character in this movie. Notice how he gets beat up a lot in this movie and he doesn't do the splits or any of his trademark jump spinning split kicks and thanks for mentioning that the uncut version is worth getting. Anyway I Love The Movie and Great Review.

[@thestoner9148]

Sorry I meant thanks for mentioning that the uncut version of "Lionheart" isn't really worth getting otherwise I would have bought the uncut version. Thanks again.

[@brajeshsingh2391]

the music is indeed good and adds a lot to the movie.

[@N240sxpr]

I watched this movie so much as a kid. I loved it so much. imo its one of the best van dam movies.

[@bestpeter78]

Last song when he came to see crowd is brilliant

[@leonwatson79]

Excellent review Oliver, keep up the great work.

[@SUPR0ll]

Holy shit!! Are there any The Last of Us fans here? Lionheart is one of my favourite childhood movies, seeing your video puts me in a nostalgia coma lol You just made me realise that the child actress in Lionheart also voiced Ellie in TLoU which is my favourite videogame of all time (just played through it again recently) man... I still need some time to let that one sink in. No wonder Ellie is such a badass she learned from the one and only JCVD

[@docsdomain]

It's about time that you did another review. I really enjoy these and btw Black Eagle is a Sho Kosogi vehicle not Jcvd. :-)

[@Dj_Real_Eyes_Open]

good stuff oliver!... i use to rent this movie all the time... i remember using my gi joes to recreate the fight scenes... good times lol

[@JimmyJaxJellyStax]

19:38 Kick - universe straightens his face for another - kick again

[@receptieletoile7595]

That double kick at 19:38 where you ask what the f was that.... A kid in high school in my class could do that. It might be difficult or unpractical in real life but it is POSSIBLE and looks very spectacular. Of course I wasn't on the set but if a school kid can do it without camera tricks, JCVD might have too.

[@danjab64]

I recently met Van Damme when he was here in Australia. He is a true legend and my fave action hero!

[@mikeydluffy2718]

Nice one Oliver, I always knew it as AWOL.

[@Jdior620]

Would you ever do a retrospective on Double impact?

[@OliverHarper]

yeah i will get round to it at some point :)

[@TheAvenger62]

Yeah that would be awesome ! My favourite van damme movie growing up ! Bolo yeung is such a badass villain in this + you get double the van dammage !

[@loayprettyboy206]

Oliver Harper its been a year now and you didn't do the review yet

[@cabalofdemons]

Lionheart has a stronger storyline and plot than most of Van Damme's films. It's one of his best films because there is a degree of emotional investment. The fighting in this film is simple because of bareknuckle brawling. Thus, I give the film some leeway with the fight choreography because it's not a straight martial arts film. Van Damme's best films were released between 1987-1995, so Lionheart makes the cut. I will say that his straight to DVD films in the 2000s and 2010s have solid fight choreography though.

[@epplebradley9395]

Never seen this before man this looks amazing! Shit I'm getting a pizza tonight, big bag of popcorn, 6 pack of rolling rock and watching this bad-boy. Wham Bam Van Damme! Great review/retrospective as usual

[@mrkumaran]

Love your reviews

[@VELK0N]

Epic Jaw Line ;).. Never heard of that! good video though!

[@Hannibal953able]

Has JCVD had that bump on his head in all his films? If so I have to get better glasses because I have seen a few of his films and never noticed the bump on his head until now.

[@Hannibal953able]

Great review Oliver. Keep up the excellent work.

[@CinematicTendency]

I had no idea the little girl (niece) was in Avengers!

[@GH_EmotionalGuy]

Ashley Johnson is...Jinmay, Terra and Gwen Tennyson.

[@grassyclimer6853]

in America the stuff with the dad was cut for drug reference and it's not explained why he died the movie starts in the army and moves to him going awol to the brother being dead

[@theFATelvis85]

mate you ever heard of discogs you find alot of soundtracks/scores

[@Texy88]

When you mentioned _Double Team_ towards the end of your speech, it reminded me of how disappointed I was when I finally got to see that film. I was attracted to it simply because of the action choreographer being none other than the brilliant Sammo Hung (and anyone that knows how good his choreography usually is knows that he is usually very good at making on-screen fighters look pretty much as good as they can, and can often shoot and put them together in such a way that the on-screen fighters’ moves look powerful even when they are not hitting each other for real). Sadly there was so little in the way of such fights in that film - and the rest of it was generally pretty drab - that all the overall experience did was disappoint me.

[@ripstainmcripstain3753]

Great work as always :)

[@sharkbait8090]

Once again a great review, may I suggest Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory if you haven't already chosen your next review?

[@Ariel-jx4uw]

you must not make a generalization about a movie by saying if it's a masterpiece or not. it's relative to each person

[@mightycaine8254]

Double team !

[@irllcd13]

X-Files fans will also easily recognize Brian Thompson.

[@LakeHowellDigitalVideo]

Come on, Oliver. I think most people remember Harrison Page for his role in the Sledge Hammer TV Series. Don't get me wrong, Page is great in Lionheart, too -- but I think Captain Trunk is the role he is most remembered for.

[@bestpeter78]

German title was also different

[@jamesl.anderson1384]

19:39 19:40

[@perryyoung1615]

you gotta do bloodsport!

[@OliverHarper]

Covered it over 3 years ago.

[@perryyoung1615]

I will Deffo check it out , I used to watch that everyday when I was a kid.

[@Ryanne187]

Oliver, I love these.....I usually lurk...but I DO have one question. Why havent you done Lethal Weapon? Its right up your alley and a classic by Donner. R

[@OliverHarper]

Yeah I do get asked a lot to cover the lethal Weapon films, I will get round to them but not sure when.

[@willthorburn1985]

next JCVD retrospective should be Double Impact

[@Knight622ny]

Agreed

[@sidewalkshitter499]

Double the Van Damme, double the awesome.

[@anthonymarsala7472]

Funny his next retrospective is double impact

[@Gootothesecond]

"That dude gon' kill yo' ass, Lionheart. Don't you know that?" I loved this movie back in the day, JCVD was the man. I've checked and haven't seen it, could you do "Double Impact?"

[@Rendezman562]

scene where he gives the lil homeless girl and her mom money always gets me all chocked up even to this day.

[@pop-culturecinephile8144]

Like Oliver said, “what a guy!” 😅

[@BigNix83]

I was 8 when I seen this movie. My uncle took me on my birthday. This movie will always have a special place in my heart.

[@abdulmumin6251]

How did the cinema let an 8 year old in

[@BigNix83]

@@abdulmumin6251 That is a good question lol.

[@jonbourgoin182]

@@BigNix83 kids can see R rated movies if an adult is with them.

[@2st486]

my uncle showed me and my cousins, all aroun 12-13 years old, robocop, aliens, predator, deathwish. i think this kind of things are part of why us 90s kids are built different XD

[@BigNix83]

@@2st486 Same, definitely a 90s thing.

[@TheVanDammeFan2009]

Hey Oliver Thanks for mentioning my video. Your reviews are really awesome. And Lionheart is probably one of my favorite movies ever!

[@OliverHarper]

Thanks buddy and well done again for your hard work on the SF vid and of course the Bloodsport and MK mash up video!

[@sailorboyartwork]

I’ve just got to tell you, you’re the kind of reviewer that I love. You don’t spend your time trashing anyone’s craftsmanship but rather give us insight into all the aspects of the production of the film. Thumbs up to you. Greetings from a happy subscriber

[@Rommheim1]

These reviews are fantastic. I've been watching all of them, even the ones for the films I haven't watched. Keep it up mate!

[@jamesmorgan3212]

One of my favorite JCVD too . I think it’s one of his best overall. The story , score and characters are really good . “Ole Joshua “ and the family drama really adds to it . Plus it’s cool to see JCVD kicking A$$ in dad jeans 😎.

[@soawkwardshow]

A 30 minute examination of Lionheart? I love it! Great job! I had forgotten about how much I used to love this movie.

[@pontiusporcius8430]

Its well worth it, this is an exceptional offering of Van Damme's earlier work.

[@dejabu24]

the soundtrack its really great , I don't know how many times I watch this movie when I was a kid , this is one of my favorites JCVD movies

[@jacksonjacob7791]

The score at the end scene fits the film perfectly

[@TheBestComicKing]

Replicant was one of those direct-to-DVD movies that was actually pretty decent Van Damme film

[@zachthezombie]

Nice work Oliver I'm always really impressed with your vids really well put together and well researched you are deffo one of my fav reviewers on KZbin

[@OliverHarper]

Thanks Jack man!

[@qjaw84]

Thanks Oliver. Please do a review of Fortress from 1992

[@OliverHarper]

The Fortress is definitely happening but not sure when. Maybe November early December.

[@jessiarabou]

Great review Oliver. However, I think that Replicant was one of his better direct2dvd movies and certainly better than some of his cinematic releases in the mid to late 90's (Knock Off, Double Team, Universal Soldier: The Return). Double Impact would make a great review.

[@tuneman7688]

This is one of my favorite movies. Lyon's nobility to no end fighting for his family, his friendship with Joshua, and the score really gave the film so much emotion and set it apart. Great reviews Oliver, I enjoy your retrospectives nearly or as much as the films themselves which is really saying something.

[@GameplayandTalk]

This looks like a pretty solid film. Growing up in the '90s, I avoided most Van Damme films because they just seemed like quick, cheesy cash-ins. Thanks to your reviews though it looks like I've got a few legit ones I need to check out.

[@alucard624]

Lionheart is one of Van Damme's better films. The fights are pretty good, and there's actually a good story with some pretty good acting from him and the other cast members to as well.

[@edinkrso8289]

I always look forward to the trailers you put at the end. This one is my favorite

[@apissedoffellis3614]

At least The US got best title.. Just my opinion

[@sheikhu1039]

Hard to find review like ur these days

[@shockz16]

One of my fave Van Damme movies this one, to me it'll always be A.W.O.L though. It''s funny you mentioned the connection between this and SF II as, as a youngster discussing how you could make a decent Street fighter movie I would use this film as an example lol. Another great review. :)

[@pluto545]

My 2nd favorite JCVD movie after Bloodsport.

[@alexmcdowell8868]

Oliver please do a review of Over the Top Sylvester Stallone arm wrestling truck-driving movie..

[@RVFCalvo]

i was under 10 yrs old when I first watched this movie I was probably 4 when it came out lol but man the combination of Joshua and Juan Claude still brings tear's to my eye's, it was and is still incredible acting in my opinion, maybe because I was young and I didn't understand life it still brings back memories and instill at a early age to never give up and that family was more important than anything. great story, I wasn't too much into the fighting but I love your take on the comparison on what was out at the time vs Lion Heart. Ill def check out Street Fighter 2 lol sounds like a good laugh, I'm just happy people still praise this film. GREAT BREAKDOWN and awesome detail to uncut option's.

[@rainabsolute2087]

I saw this for more than 20 y ago, and I looked at maybe 3 times at least. I liked it, I remember atmospheric music. Good film, the product of his own time, and gengre :)

[@DystopianJoe]

really glad they went with the orchestral score.

[@Jerry-oz2sj]

I watched this movie so many times as a teenager, I absolutely love this movie and probably my favorite Van Damme film, lm looking forward to watching the Quest retrospective after this

[@gutz1981]

Hey Oliver, have you checked out any Chuck Norris movies? If you ever do a Chuck Norris retrospective, I reckon you should do the one that started his beard craze and the best one of the bunch, 'Lone Wolf McQuade' it is his best and he has a showdown with Kill Bill himself David Carradine, Plus that film semi spawned the tv show 'Walker Texas Ranger' as it is pretty much the exact same character, only cooler.

[@gutz1981]

I mean the character from Lone Wolf McQuade is cooler. Plus he drives a mad supercharged truck.

[@ShootingStar1313]

I second that. Lone Wolf McQuade retrospective whenever you have the time. Also thanks for the Lionheart vid, I've forgotten all about this one.

[@RossTheNinja]

gutz1981 disappointing lack of chuck norris facts. No 1. He doesn't dial the wrong number, you picked up the wrong phone

[@adamngangan7416]

He should check out code of silence 1985. It's a pretty good gritty crime thriller

[@iangillingham662]

Great work, Oliver!! You should do a retrospective review for Double Impact. It was my favorite Van Damme movie as a kid.

[@thatspiritualhumane]

Harrison page in his legendary role, maybe one of the finest acting scenes esp the ending & his superb lines /emotions, I'm not joking..

[@michaelspikes1506]

😀 Oliver Harper is the best place to come and enjoy a classic movie review JCVD is the best lion heart great movie

[@calvinwoolfolk324]

I like this movie too n that black dude was hilarious in this movie too lol 😎😂😎😂n it got kinda emotional at the movie 😎😎😎😎

[@cq2320]

Great work mate, any chance of the Quest? I've heard a lot about it, never seen it, sounds really interesting!

[@mrnegative48]

this is a hugely underrated movie, great characters and a lot of great moments also quite emotional as you get invested in Lyon who is a bit naive and just trying to do the right thing

[@jacksonjacob7791]

Lyon is a good man. A great protaganist to root for.

[@garyhall331]

man we used to geek when we saw the trailers for a new Van Damme movie. i remember this one well. we would call everybody telling them. miss the late 80s early 90s

[@1987MartinT]

Have you considered reviewing The Warriors?

[@AriaMohtadiHaghighi]

Thanks for reviewing this one. I still get goosebumps and teary-eyed after rewatching Lionheart.

[@RussellStarTrek007]

For the uncut version, you can now get the MVD Collection blu-ray which contains both the theatrical cut & uncut version

[@jamesl.anderson1384]

Lyon’s Older Brother: Lyon Lyon Lyon Lyon LYON!!!

[@kalreeve]

Van Damme's best film. Makes me cry every time I watch it.

[@jonbourgoin182]

Seems like every final fight in a JCVD movie plays out exactly the same. He starts off getting his ass kicked for a few minutes until he makes a miraculous comeback.

[@Elnegro8527]

Love your vids...your vids take me back when i was a child...when my dad would take us to the local home video...he would always bring home a a Jcvd movie

[@blackidna]

So many titles. In Italy, ironically, came out as "Lionheart: Scommessa Vincente (=Winning Bet)"

[@runningsuperska]

Wicked film, thanks mate.

[@jasonnewsham7724]

This bye far is a movie that gives credit to Van Dam. forgetting the fighting of coarse just the fact of what he had to go through just to protect a family that basically hated him

[@nitinkataria6030]

Khiladiyon ka Khiladi had it's inspiration in it, I saw Lion Heart in early 2Ks on AXN in India. That was a great time.

[@BigMob05]

I LOVED this Movie as a Kid, still do.

[@ProdSangreNueva]

Jcvd best movies were his first low budget movies. His legend lives and dies with these movies. He really made it big.

[@DJJedinight]

Love your reviews Oliver and the impressive Van Damme collection. Have you ever thought of doing A Double Impact review? I love this film and it is my second favourite Van Damme movie aside from Bloodsport

[@calvinwoolfolk324]

I always like the scene when the doctor tells van damme he need to learn karate lessons n van damme was acting like I already know karate lol 😎😆😎😆

[@andypayne243]

Is the guy with long hair in the pool fight scene at 19:30 Matt Hanson from Samurai Cop?

[@tahnadana5435]

why havent you review Nemesis (1992)??

[@FPGC]

I have the original cut version with all the extra bits on VHS still. Here in Africa it was known as AWOL. Van Damme is one of my childhood heroes. It's old school Cheese at its best. Have you ever done a review of The Perfect Weapon? It was also directed by Sheldon Lettich. That was also a great action flick back in those days.

[@alanescareno9748]

I would Loved Sam Raimi to Direct Jean Claude in the 90’s.

[@A-small-amount-of-peas]

How many people who played Last of us suddenly went "holy shit that's Ellie"

[@jamesl.anderson1384]

2:43 2:44 2:45 2:46 2:47 2:48 2:49 2:50 2:51 2:52 2:53 26:44 26:45 26:46 26:51 26:52 26:53 26:59