This is a different style of film for Jean-Claude Van Damme, he doesn't play the invinsible hero of so many other previous movies (Bloodsport, Kickboxer, Hard Target, et al.) In this movie he is desperately fleeing his own tortured past, having been a highly trained soldier at one time who is haunted by the images of the people he has killed. He's become a drunkard, the only way he knows to stop killing people. "If I'm drunk, I won't kill anything" sort of sums it up. He has decided that he wants to take his life, so he goes to his friend to get the O.K. But something gives him an excuse to start killing deserving people again. Then he finds a reason to go on in the person of the local waitress. The best scene is the first, which truly takes advantage of John G. Avildson's (Rocky, the Karate Kid) gift for directing, when we see at what point Van Damme's character is tortured by his past (maybe the finest acting from this kicking sensation to date). The role itself is a better one than in the past, not robot-like with no emotions, this one evidently has emotions but is also sort of a goof off with a real "sense of mischief" which was fun. The supporting cast lend a lot of humor to this movie as well. Finally, the aboriginal overtones were the finishing touch, showing a rich culture that's not often demonstrated. The music by Bill Conti (Rocky) is also excellent, giving a certain sense to the movie. Van Damme is starting to get a little more seasoned and so his acting style should follow, getting a little deeper. This movie is a good start.
Review of Desert Heat
