Jean-Claude Van Damme is a cinema legend. The man known for his physical feats of excellence has amassed a body of work playing both hero and villain, and while doing it, he has inspired every child raised in the 1990s to beat the hell out of a sibling using the Dim Mak. We love Jean-Claude. He is as passionate about his work as an actor as he is his physical fitness—at times to the point of stress and physical detriment. So, buckle in Goliath readers, it’s time for some Van Dammage!
11. Cyborg (1989)
Cyborg was one of Jean-Claude Van Damme’s early films, and it’s a little tough to watch these days. His martial arts skills are unparalleled, but the science fiction in the film leaves much to be desired. Still, Jean-Claude gets crucified, and his manner of escape is a little more violent than other victims of the slow execution, so there’s that. Overall, the film was quite a feat being made in the late 1980s on the budget that it was offered. And Van Damme’s character is named Gibson Rickenbacker…it doesn’t get better than that. The film runs a short 86 minutes, so it’s totally doable if you’re throwing together a good food/bad movie night. And in the realm of Jean-Claude’s greatest hits, it has to be mentioned, because it served as his superstar arrival. Kickboxer was released the same year, both coming the year after Bloodsport.
Source: Screenshot via The Cannon Group