Maximum Risk

One of those Van Damme movies where you see him twice, and it’s not because he kicked you in the head with a spinning kick. When he first flies through the air in the opening scene like in Naked Gun, I was worried it was going to be a stinker. However, debuting in America, Ringo Lam gradually dispelled those fears. The action delivers physicality and pace, Jean-Claude skillfully hides the iconic bump behind strands of hair, Russian mafia members turn into borscht with growing fury, and he fires from his Beretta with a squinting eye just like Martin Riggs. There’s even a steamy bathroom scene that explains the film’s title and the absence of one legendary element. Doing the splits after this would be a maximum risk for Belgian groin muscles. (2024-02-26)

Maximum Risk is a standard action flick that respectably fulfils its ambitions. Its biggest positive is that it won’t insult your intelligence like most of the other movies in Van Damme’s filmography. (2002-08-01)

There's not much to talk about here, it’s an average film practically in every aspect that can be mentioned: action, plot, actors, ending, sets, editing; essentially just another genre routine. But it's still better than the previous few films of the karate master. Here, at least, he’s a solid badass that can kick and doesn't try other styles that don't suit him (comedy, raw drama). Maximum Risk can even be seen multiple times (Natasha Henstridge). (2005-05-08)