Alright, fellow tapeheads, let’s rewind to 1991. Picture this: browsing the aisles of your local video store, the fluorescent lights humming overhead. You spot it – that distinctive cover art. Two Jean-Claude Van Dammes staring back at you, one looking suave, the other looking mean. The title? Double Impact. The promise? Double the kicks, double the splits, double the Muscles from Brussels. Did it deliver? Oh, heck yes. This wasn't just another action flick; it was an event for JCVD fans, a gloriously over-the-top slice of early 90s action mayhem that felt tailor-made for a late-night VHS session.
Twice the Van Damme, Twice the Fun?
The premise itself is pure high-concept gold: Chad and Alex Wagner are twin brothers separated as infants when their parents are brutally murdered in Hong Kong by ruthless triad boss Raymond Zhang (Philip Chan) and his sadistic enforcer, Moon (Bolo Yeung – yes, that Bolo Yeung, back for another round with Van Damme after Bloodsport!). Chad grows up pampered in Beverly Hills, teaching karate and aerobics in questionable neon outfits. Alex becomes a hardened smuggler navigating the gritty underworld of Hong Kong, complete with slicked-back hair and a perpetually smoldering cigarillo. Fate, and their grizzled guardian Frank (Geoffrey Lewis, adding some welcome veteran grit), brings them back together for some good old-fashioned revenge.
It's a setup ripe for action, and director Sheldon Lettich, who knew exactly how to showcase his star after directing him in Lionheart (1990) and co-writing Bloodsport (1988), doesn't waste any time. What makes Double Impact such a quintessential artifact of its time is seeing Van Damme tackle both roles. Remember the split-screen effects and clever use of body doubles (often Van Damme's own brother-in-law)? By today’s standards, it might look a bit clunky, but back then, seeing JCVD argue with, fight alongside, and occasionally get mistaken for himself felt like cutting-edge movie magic on your grainy CRT screen. This was a passion project for Van Damme, who actually shares a story credit here – fulfilling a long-held ambition to play twins on screen.
Hong Kong Heat and Bare-Knuckle Brawls
The film smartly uses its dual locations. Chad’s arrival in Hong Kong provides the fish-out-of-water element, contrasting his L.A. smoothness with Alex's street-level toughness. Their initial clashes are almost as entertaining as the actual fight scenes. But when the bullets start flying and the fists connect, Double Impact really hits its stride. Forget slick, wire-fu choreography or CGI enhancements. This is raw, physical action built on practical effects and stunt work that you could feel.
Remember that dockside chase and shootout? The explosions felt real because, well, they were real. The boat sequence, the infiltration of the island fortress – it all has that tangible weight and impact that defined the era's best action. Lettich frames the fights to emphasize Van Damme's signature moves: the lightning-fast kicks, the painful-looking splits, the intense glares. Chad favours flashy kicks, while Alex is more of a brawler. Seeing them fight side-by-side against hordes of thugs is pure 90s action bliss. And that final confrontation between Alex and Moon? A brutal, powerhouse showdown that pays off the simmering tension beautifully, echoing their previous encounter in Bloodsport but with a more personal, vengeful edge.
Behind the Mayhem
Double Impact wasn't just thrown together; it was a calculated move to elevate Van Damme's star power, budgeted at a respectable (for the time) $15 million. It clearly worked, pulling in over $80 million worldwide and cementing JCVD as a major action draw. Geoffrey Lewis provides a solid anchor as Frank, the loyal protector who bridges the gap between the estranged brothers. Alonna Shaw as Alex's girlfriend Danielle is largely there to be the damsel in distress and object of Chad's affections (creating some awkward twin tension), fitting a common trope of the era. But the real co-stars are the practical effects teams and stunt performers who made the mayhem look convincingly dangerous. Even the villainous henchwoman Kara, played by Cory Everson (a six-time Ms. Olympia!), brought a unique physical presence that stood out. Little details, like filming on location adding authentic grit to the Hong Kong scenes, really elevated it beyond a standard studio shoot.
Still Worth Tracking Down?
Watching Double Impact today is like unearthing a time capsule. Sure, some of the dialogue is cheesy, the fashion is delightfully dated (Chad's wardrobe is a masterclass in early 90s excess), and the plot isn't exactly Shakespeare. But who cared? We were there for the Van Damme duo delivering balletic beatdowns against scenery-chewing villains in exotic locales. The pacing is relentless, the action is inventive within its practical limitations, and the sheer novelty of JCVD playing off himself remains undeniably entertaining. It captures that specific brand of action filmmaking that relied on charisma, physical performance, and blowing things up for real.
Rating: 8/10
Why an 8? Because Double Impact knows exactly what it is and delivers precisely what action fans craved in 1991. It’s peak early Van Damme, showcasing his unique physical talents amplified by the sheer audacity of the dual role. The practical action feels visceral, the Hong Kong setting adds flavor, and the supporting cast, especially Lewis and Yeung, deliver. It might be rough around the edges by modern standards, but its energy, ambition (for its star), and commitment to delivering bone-crunching entertainment are undeniable. It’s a pure, unadulterated blast from the past.
Final Take: For a glorious double dose of high kicks, split-screen trickery, and that distinct pre-CG crunch, Double Impact remains a top-tier rental from the golden age of VHS action. Press play and let the glorious mayhem unfold.