Product Details

• Actors: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Natasha Henstridge, Jean-Hugues Anglade, Zach Grenier, Paul Ben-Victor
• Directors: Ringo Lam
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Studio: Sony Pictures
• VHS Release Date: October 7, 1997
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6304341237
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #20,332 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #8 in	Video > Action & Adventure > Action Stars > Jean Claude Van Damme
  #90 in	Video > Action & Adventure > Martial Arts

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

When a kickboxing police inspector is murdered, his kickboxing twin brother infiltrates the Russian mob in order to see justice meted out--as painfully as possible. A slimmed-down Jean-Claude Van Damme is surprisingly effective as the lead(s), but the real star here is gritty Hong Kong director Ringo Lam (probably best known for City on Fire, the film that inspired Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs), who makes a lethal American debut with this hard-edged, convoluted film, which uses the identical-sibling gimmick to considerably darker effect than the goofball Double Impact. Some incredible stunt work and a terrifically ruthless final reel make this underrated action film a winner, although fans of Species may be somewhat disappointed that costar Natasha Henstridge never fully displays the assets that made her famous. --Andrew Wright

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Some damme good action here, July 20, 2002

By	retrowens (Alabama, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

A cop (Van Damme) just found out about something new. He's had a twin brother all these years and didn't know it, but the bad part is that he just found out by finding his twin's dead body. Little does this cop know that his twin brother was a Russian agent. Since he looks just like the person that just died, everybody around town thinks he's someone he's not. When it comes to the mafia and FBI agents, this just might spell trouble.

Like he did in "Double Impact", Jean-Claude Van Damme once again plays the role of twins, although not as much this time around. "Maximum Risk" might be a bit shallow on plot depth, but who cares? Van Damme movies are known for their great stunts, action, and especially the fighting sequences, and let me tell you, there is A LOT of each in this movie.

The stunts, special effects, etc. come together as one to make "Maximum Risk" a fast paced, suspense filled adventure that all Van Damme fans should watch.

It might not be one of his top five movies, but if you're a fan of other Van Damme movies, then checking out "Maximum Risk" isn't that big of a risk to take.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Van Damme's best movie, December 30, 2001

By	"maelstrom1" (Edmonton, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Maximum Risk [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I am a fan of action movies, but I've found some of Van Damme's previous flicks (most notably, Knock Off), to be below average. After seeing this movie on TV, however, I was quite impressed and ended up buying it.

As with most action movies, this one features a hero (Van Damme) who has to kick some butt, aided by a beautiful girl (Natasha Henstridge). The movie starts off with a pretty good car chase, followed by lots of scenes with guns firing and martial arts sequences. The plot isn't extensive -- Van Damme's character's twin brother is killed and he now assumes his twin's identity, only to be hounded by the Russian mafia and corrupt FBI agents.

I've only seen the VHS version, so unfortunately I can't comment on the DVD sound and video quality. Nevertheless, this is a good standard action flick -- in my opinion, Van Damme's best movie (or at least it rivals Bloodsport), and I recommend it for any action movie fan.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars utterly Van Damme's best, October 27, 2003

By	Michael Bolts (superior, wiusa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Maximum Risk [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Van Damme has Derailed and went In Hell for some of his career, but this one I would say is his best, well next to Universal Soldier and Bloodsport I'd say its right up there with them. basically about Van Damme getting killed and then Van Damme coming into his brothers life. fast action and a good finale make this worth while