Review of In Hell (2003) by Vinnie B — 23 Aug 2006

Don't let the fact that this seems like a typical Van Damme STD flick scare you away- 'In Hell' is a seriously good piece of filmmaking. The story concerns our man working in Russia, only to find his wife raped and murdered.

The rapist goes free thanks to some connections, but not before Van Damme shoots him in the courthouse. Van Damme is then sentenced to the most corrupt prison in Russia, where he slowly loses his sanity, with only the memory of his wife keeping him alive.

There are no flashy set pieces, no high flying helicopter kicks and snappy one-liners- this movie is raw, moving, depressing, like the Gary Jules song "Mad World" turned into a film. There are fights, yes, staged for the amusement of the guards, but they are ugly, brutal, and realistic.

I felt every punch and every blood spurt. Van Damme did a fantastic job- surprised to say but he did an EXCELLENT job acting. My only complaint would be the soundtrack- really random at the most innapropriate places, like big beat techno or choral chanting.

But in the end, 'In Hell' was just a terrific, albeit not to pleasant film to watch. Even the ending, however morally upbeat, leaves you with a void. Absolutely recommended.