Review of Timecop (1994) by Cassandra M — 29 Sep 2009

'Timecop' is one of Van Damme's most popular and most profitable films, it tells the story of a lonely man whose wife had been murdered in a bizarre set of circumstances, and his new job as a cop who travels through time to prevent criminals who go into the past to make certain changes that will help them financially, as well as politically.

To be fair, I don't really see why this is his best film, I mean, in my opinion, 'Universal Soldier' is Van Damme's best. Maybe it's because this film has as much action as it has drama, maybe it's because the story was a little more coherent than his other films, maybe the supporting cast was better, maybe the script was better, maybe the film's overall tone matched what the public wanted, I have absolutely no idea but it certainly isn't his best in my opinion. Personally, I thought 'Street Fighter' was better, but maybe that's because I like the idea of it not really being taken as a serious film, more of a campy, b-movie romp around a video game. I think maybe that's the problem with this film, it takes itself far too seriously. I'm at ends with this film because I'm not really that sure what to make of this film. A lot of people, Van Damme fans, say this is his best film, and I ask them why and they often change the subject by asking a question, (ie. What do you mean?). I really cannot see why this is his best. The film was very, very profitable and it was rated quite highly by other people, but I just don't see why. If I were to sit down and watch a bunch of Van Damme movies, they would be - 'Bloodsport', 'Kickboxer', 'A.W.O.L/Lionheart', 'Double Impact, 'Universal Solider', 'Nowhere to Run', 'Street Fighter', and 'Sudden Death', and in that order as well, like a chronology, but out of all of them, I still wouldn't choose 'Timecop'.

This film is good in two respects - 1. The storyline is quite good and it fits together quite well, despite being slightly all over the place in terms of 'who was where, and when?', but I have to remind myself that this is a 'time-travel' film and the story criss-crosses all over the place on purpose. 2. The acting is actually good, and that is definitely something which has picked up in Van Damme films as time has gone on (save 'Street Fighter'). These two factors might be the reason why people like it so much, but I don't think these two things compensate for the overall lacking in filmic qualities, but what do I know? I think 'Kickboxer' is great.