Maximum Risk (1996)

Rating: ***
Director: Ringo Lam
Cast: Jean Claude Van Damme, Natasha Henstridge

Hong Kong director Lingo Lam's first Hollywood picture showcases his eye for action and his sense of the gruesomely absurd. Jean Claude Van Damme's twin brother (who he didn't even know existed) gets killed while trying to deliver some important evidence to him. Now he has to figure out what's going on, who's who, and assume his brother's identity in order to serve justice. Van Damme gives a strong, but sensitive and restrained performance and this is one of his best films. Sexy Natasha Henstridge is on hand to help him out and she's quite a treat to watch. The action is fast paced and top notch, but the final showdown in a meat locker gets a little ludicrous - definitely some wacky Hong Kong influence there. Good stuff.