The Order

DVD, I like this movie a lot, Lot of fighting, Good movie.

You know, it irks me when Jean-Claude Van Damme goes on nowadays about how dissatisfied he's been with his career. Can't he see how fun his direct-to-video stuff like "The Order" was? Maybe Van Damme's just eager for something straight and serious at this point in his life, but I really appreciate the creativity the low-budget realm afforded his movies. Coupled with his luck in snagging directors who make the most of limited resources, he's had more to celebrate for this stage of his career than Seagal or Lundgren, and while "The Order" is not a flawless movie, it has the energy and originality to make for a worthwhile 90-minute time-waster, definitely.The story: Rudy Cafmeyer (Van Damme) is a professional thief whose father (Vernon Dobtcheff,  Undisputed III: Redemption ) goes missing while studying an ancient Templar sect in Jerusalem. In pursuit, Rudy will need to engage a religious fanatic determined to initiate an act of international terrorism (Brian Thompson,  Cobra ).Director Sheldon Lettich had done good work with Van Damme throughout his mainstream career, and their chemistry carries over to this feature. Generally, "The Order" looks way more professional than a lot of other DTV flicks from the same period. It also packs more action than the norm: six hand-to-hand fights, three car chases, and one surprisingly good on-foot chase. It's clearly a stunt double riding the motorcycle and performing some of the gymnastics, but otherwise, Van Damme seems to be supplying his own moves. His fistfights are all pretty good, but I wish his showdown with fellow action guy Brian Thompson was a bit more satisfying: though it's one of the rare instances wherein Van Damme wields a sword, the fight's not quite as long or climatic as the film warranted.Speaking of swords, the movie's notable for featuring a few things you can't see in any of Jean-Claude's other features. Religious-themed pictures in general were a first for Van Damme - lagging behind  Schwarzenegger  and  Lundgren  - but it's disappointing that he goes all the way to Jerusalem without really addressing the real-life events of the area. The movie opens with a dramatic narrative and a historical flashback (here's your chance to see Van Damme playing a Crusader) and closes with a Jackie Chan-esque blooper reel, neither of which are quite as entertaining as they ought to be but still pretty novel. At one point, Van Damme's character goes incognito as a Haredi Jew, complete with beard. Most significantly, however, is the casting of Charlton Heston ( Ben-Hur ). With the possible exception of Forest Whittaker in  Bloodsport , Heston is the single most acclaimed actor to appear in a Van Damme film, with the added gravity of this being his last live-action feature to see wide release before his death. (SPOILER) His scenes are isolated to the first half of the film and his character's death is disappointing, but it's still oddly satisfying to see him and Van Damme interact with ease. There's a bit of Heston's characteristic fire in his delivery, but the only action he gets in on is smacking a thug with his cane.Brian Thompson's character could have definitely used more screentime, but at least he made room for Sofia Milos ( CSI: Miami ) to pursue Jean-Claude for the majority of the movie, which ended up persevering beyond its faults and being pretty darn fun. Cinema snobs needn't bother, but Van Damme fans should welcome this to the man's filmography. Get it, action fans.

I actually purchased this after beginning to watch an incredibly edited ad-laden version of it on one of those free movie channels via internet. Note, I began watching it FREE, then decided to actually buy it instead. It's that darn good!Never have I been so impressed with Van Damme's acting! He's always depended on his martial artistry skills from the very beginning of his career - and this? Surprise!The man can act. No kidding, he can actually act!Yeah, yeah yeah, it's a stretch for the storyline and all, plus the bad guy is that particularly craggy-featured cat who everyone recognizes but no one knows what the heck is his name. But he is, after all, that proverbial bad guy who is enormous and nuts just by the way he appears! In real life, he's probably a teddy bear who makes his wife breakfast in bed every morning, but I'm talking about the cast briefly here...more later. What IS his name anyway?Too bad there wasn't an ounce of media exposure to this flick over a decade ago when it was released - gee, I would've gone to the theater to see it...even though I don't do movie theaters anymore!Now to the cast! And what a cast! Sofia Milos, Ben Cross, and hey now folks...Charleton Heston? I mean, Charleton Heston!! Sure, he was in a short part of the film, but hey, he was even intrigued enough to appear in this surprisingly good movie! Charleton Heston!! I mentioned he appeared in this movie already. I digress.So, once again, I disagree with the masses. I say this movie is well worth renting at the very, very least. However, I love to have evidence when I deem things worthwhile...and Van Damme gave a heckuva performance, folks. Minor and extraordinarily well-executed action sequences by JCVD, appropriately placed no less, along with some bits of humor that allows additional insight into JCVD the man! Wow! Color me shocked! Maybe he isn't actually so full of himself he'll pop someday?? One can only hope; the comic sequences were absolutely at his cost. I like him better now. I only appreciated his skills before...now? I like him. A little.So, for the sake of posterity and the wonderful surprise when opening this particular gift box of a video a la Jean-Claude's heretofore unknown (at least to me) acting ability? I say 10 bucks is worth owning it. Well worth it. I do!JCVD...well done!Be well, all.

Really bad acting. The only thing that was ok in this movie was Van Dames fight scenes. Otherwise the movie was garbage. His father collects rare antiques. When they steal and abduct his father for a rare artifact, Van Dame has to travel to a different country to find him.

.Van-Damme actually shows his acting skills, not just his kick boxing side. Who knew he could act. Maybe his appearance in the second Expendables will bring him back to the big screen instead of shot to video like he's been doing. but about this movie, his father his kidnapped, friends are killed or taken, and he's being thrown out of Israel because he's an antiquities thief. He's aided by a woman from the police force, of course, and eventually find out what a cult with connections everywhere is up to, and that's to start a holy war, as if one doesn't exist already. All in all, it's a good way to spend the evening. I recommend it if you just want fun and not a message

Need I say more? If you are on this page, searching for this product, it is because you are either (A) Someone who likes JCVD or (B) Someone wholes LOVES JCVD. Which one are you? It is JCVD being JCVD.... so you will not be disappointed.

Yong Movie Of Jean claude Van Damme !!!!!

GOOD!

The Order.Certificate: 15/R.Genre: Action/Adventure.Running Time 86 Minutes.Synopsis.Reformed artifact smuggler Rudy Cafmeyer is forced to travel to Jerusalem & come to the aid of his museum curator father Oscar Cafmeyer who has been kidnapped by a radical religious group.After being framed for murder by the corrupt cop Ben Ner, Rudy must enlist the help of Lt. Dalia Barr so that he may find a sacred scroll before it falls into the wrong hands, thus starting a Holy War.Timelord Thoughts.'The Order' is one of my favourite JCVD movies & is a very underrated & often overlooked action packed gem possibly because it went straight to DVD, the film is directed by Sheldon Lettich & is Co-written by Jean Claude Van Damme.The plot sees former smuggler Rudy travel to Jerusalem to discover what has happened to his missing father & gets caught up in a scheme to find a sacred scroll & eventually framed for murder by a scheming police chief, can Rudy find his father, clear his name & stop Cyrus from triggering a holy war?Van Damme is awesome in this movie, he's in excellent shape physically & it's nice to see him play a more likeable character in Rudy who is a charming rogue with a heart than the more darker roles he's been playing lately, Sheldon Lettich direction moves the plot along at a brisk pace & he certainly knows how to direct action sequences & delivers several adrenaline fuelled scenes in 'The Order' including a breathtaking car & motorcycle chase, there's no shortage of fight scenes either as fight choreographer Peter Malota who's appeared in several of JCVD movies brilliantly choreographs lots of high kicking testosterone filled mayhem that delivers plenty of Van Damage.Charlton Heston appears briefly in a small role as Prof. Walter Finley who's a friend of Rudys father Oscar, sadly though Finley character dies after around 10 minutes & I felt we were robbed of a potentially intriguing character, Brian Thompson features in his second JCVD movie as First Disciple Cyrus Jacob who is of course the movies main protagonist who's determined to cause a Holy War, of course Van Damme fights Cyrus in the films climax were Van Damme delivers his trademark kicks while Ben Cross plays your typical smug British bad guy who hams it up as corrupt police officer Ben Ner & frames Rudy for murder while Sofia Milos adds sexiness to her role as the no-nonsense Lt. Dalia Barr who eventually helps Rudy & can certainly hold her own in the action stakes.'The Order' is a JCVD movie that delivers high octane action, humorous dialogue, a intriguing storyline, good performances from the cast, solid direction from Sheldon Lettich & showcases Jean Claude Van Damme is back to his high kicking best & a movie I highly recommend checking out.

Released in time for Christmas in 2001,this Jean Claude van Damme movie,co-written by JCVD,has high production values,a nice plot and some solid supporting acting from its co stars to make this film an above average romp for the Muscles from Brussels.The story revolves around one Rudy Cafmeyer,a full time and successful thief who is trying to steal a Faberge egg worth millions.He gets away but barely.He next visits his father who is a museum curator dealing in antiquities.When he leaves his father begs him to call that evening.Rudy goes to some contacts to pawn his precious egg off but it gets broken in a scuffle and he lands in jail.Out on bail he gets a frantic call from his father from Israel,who begs him for help.Rudy flies to Israel and is greeted by a an old friend of his fathers Prof.Finlay(Charlton Heston).His father has been kidnapped for an ancient map he had in his possession containing the whereabouts of a secret passage underneath the ancient city of Jerusalem .The kidnappers are of an ancient religious order that now want to create anarchy and a holy war by blowing up the third most holiest of all Muslim temples of worship.Rudy has not only this sect to contend with but the police whose head Ben Nerr(Ben Cross)doesn;t believe his story and wants him out of the country.Rudy leads them all on a merry chase through the back streets of the old city but ends up getting shot.A police woman befriends Rudy,helps him recover and with another friend infiltrates the sect itself.During a clandestine meeting of the Order Rudy decides to investigate the old catacombs beneath the city.He finds his father but they are both caught and forced to lead the way to the secret area where a load of explosives will be detonated and the so called war will begin.Of course Rudy has other plans and ultimately,after many tense moments,he is able to foil the plot.Back home with his father at the museum Rudy asks what a certain old document is and is told to leave it alone,as it is valuable.This is how things started out the first time around but this time Rudy sneaks out the door with the document in his hand,as we hear his father shouting after him.This movie has few slow spots and moves along at a good clip.There are plenty of action scenes mixed with both serious and humorous moments to keep ones interest throughout.Of course Van Damme is in good form and his outstanding moment,doing what he does best,is a high spread kick shot getting two on either side simultaneously.The film was shot on actual location in the city of Jerusalem(and the surrounding countryside)in both the Muslim and Christian side.Director Sheldon Lettich uses a deft touch in his directing duties,not too light a hand nor too heavy.Technically speaking this DVD is issued in both widescreen and full screen.The w/s version is clear and crisp and the sound is quite good;no complaints.All in all an above average Van Damme entry with a compelling storyline that keeps you watching from beginning to end.Recommended.

Für die Sammlung

Van Damme plays Rudy the son of a archeologist who goes missing in Israel. A secret Order has kidnapped him but the Israeli police is having none of it apart from a woman police officer that was once a member of the Order. Rudy's father found a secret map that is very valuable and everybody wants it bad. Some great actors featured in this movie including the great Charlton Heston. Unfortunately he gets killed early in the movie but it was great seeing him in the movie. The bad guy that appears everywhere is Peter Malota the American/Albanian which is a great martial artist and a great teacher in the real life, also a fighting choreographer in lots of Van Damme movies. Played the Spanish fighter in The Quest too. Some other actors like the actor that plays Atilla in Lionheart. More to mention but I will let you find out for yourselves. Overall is a decent movie. It has action, comedy and even guns blazing. Its an enjoyable movie that should be watched. Great seller. Fast delivery. Thank You.

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