THE QUEST (1996) / CERT: 18 / DIRECTOR: JENA-CLAUDE VAN DAMME / SCREENPLAY: STEVE KLEIN, PAUL MONES / STARRING: JEAN-CLAUDE VAN DAMME, ROGER MOORE, JAMES REMAR, JANET GUNN / RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW
For his directorial debut in 1996, Jean-Claude Van Damme wisely decided not to stray any distance from the style and genre that made him famous. The Quest follows his character Chris Dubois from leading a gang of New York street urchins in the 1920s to a once-in-a-lifetime marital arts competition in a lost city in Tibet. Along the way, Dubois is kidnapped by pirates, sold into slavery, and meets Roger Moore.
That’s quite the adventure, and it’s the way Van Damme plays it, shooting it as a grand and sweeping escapade complete with epic score. He also seems to have taken inspiration from Hollywood classics of earlier decades, the camera gliding and swooping with abandon, but this mostly comes across as the equivalent of Van Damme shouting at you in all capitals that he is directing a film. When it comes to the lengthy sequence of fights, however, Van Damme shows he was paying attention on set; punches and kicks landing with thuds in the old school way (no Bourne-style confusion here). It’s all very earnest, though we suppose it’s entirely possible that he has his tongue in cheek at some points. Moore is certainly having fun as the refined and very British mercenary Lord Dobbs, but the raised eyebrow comes with sincerity too when required. It’s not the most essential film, even in Van Damme’s career, but it’s generally good fun and fans of the less-bloody end of martial arts beat downs should enjoy it as mildly diverting.
This new 101 Films HD release is in good shape, whether it’s sun-drenched beach scenes or the torch-lit final fights the picture is clear and detailed throughout and there’s nothing to complain about considering the film’s budget and age. For extras we start with a great one, actor Jack McGee sharing anecdotes of working with Moore, the friendship that followed between the two men, as well as the production and shooting of the film. There’s another interview with one of the fighters, Mike Lambert, the ‘Scottish’ contestant. There’s a commentary by martial arts cinema experts Mike Leeder and Arne Venema too, as well as a trailer and gallery.
The Quest is not revolutionary nor is it trying to be. If not for it being Van Damme’s directorial debut, it would probably rank lower down his filmography in terms of interest. But it’s mostly unpretentious fun and there’s a lot to be said for that. Add in a few worthwhile extras and this is an easy recommendation, but likely only for fans of the film.
