Okay, settle in, fellow tape-heads. Let's rewind to 1998. You're scanning the shelves at Blockbuster, maybe grabbing some popcorn. You see the familiar chiselled jaw of Jean-Claude Van Damme on a cover, but wait... he's wearing a kepi? No neon lights, no underground fight tournaments? That's right, we're talking about Legionnaire, a film that swapped the usual high kicks for high adventure in the scorching deserts of North Africa. For many of us expecting another Bloodsport or Kickboxer, this one felt like finding a surprisingly different flavour in our favourite brand of action candy.
### Not Your Average Van Damme Vehicle
From the jump, Legionnaire signals it’s aiming for something different. Set in 1920s Marseille, Van Damme plays Alain Lefevre, a boxer who refuses to throw a fight for a local gangster (hello, deliciously menacing Steven Berkoff!). Forced on the run, Alain does what any sensible fugitive did back then – he joins the French Foreign Legion, hoping to disappear into the sands of Morocco and eventually reunite with his true love. It's a classic setup, owing more to old Hollywood adventure serials and films like Beau Geste than the typical 80s/90s action template.
The shift in tone is palpable. This wasn't just about showcasing JCVD's physical prowess – although he certainly gets his moments – but about placing him in a grander, almost tragic narrative. The script, co-written by Van Damme himself alongside Sheldon Lettich (who previously directed JCVD in Lionheart and Double Impact, and wrote Bloodsport) and Rebecca Morrison, tries to weave themes of honour, redemption, and camaraderie amidst the desperation of Legion life. It doesn't always hit the dramatic high notes perfectly, mind you, but the earnest effort is undeniable. I remember popping this tape in, maybe expecting roundhouse kicks against Berber tribesmen, and instead getting a surprisingly atmospheric period piece.
### Grit, Sand, and Gunpowder
What really sells Legionnaire, especially watching it now through nostalgic eyes, is its commitment to a certain kind of grounded action. Director Peter MacDonald, no stranger to tough shoots having helmed Rambo III (1988), brings a sense of scale and harsh reality to the Moroccan landscapes (where the film was actually shot, adding heaps of authenticity). Forget sleek, CGI-enhanced mayhem; this is about the raw, brutal business of colonial warfare.
Remember the defence of the isolated fort? That sequence feels genuinely desperate. The sheer chaos, the reliance on bolt-action rifles and that glorious, clattering Gatling gun – it all feels tangible. When explosions go off, you feel the impact, because they were likely real charges kicking up real dust. The stunt work, involving falls from ramparts and hand-to-hand skirmishes, has that weight and danger characteristic of the era before digital doubles took over. Was it as slick as modern action? No way. But did those bullet squibs hitting dusty tunics look startlingly real on our fuzzy CRT screens back then? Absolutely. It possesses a visceral quality that often gets lost in today's pixel-perfect battles.
It's also worth noting the supporting cast adds considerable grit. We get a fantastic early-career turn from Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Luther, a fellow Legionnaire who becomes one of Alain's few friends. His imposing presence and world-weary performance provide a strong counterpoint to Van Damme's somewhat stoic hero. Seeing him here, before he became iconic in shows like Oz and Lost, is a real treat for retro fans.
### A Different Kind of Battle
Interestingly, Legionnaire had a decent budget for its time (reportedly around $35 million), yet it bypassed a theatrical release in the US, going straight-to-video – prime hunting ground for us VHS aficionados! Elsewhere in the world, it did hit cinemas. This might explain why it feels a bit more ambitious than some other DTV actioners of the late 90s. It wasn't just thrown together; there was a clear attempt to make an epic, albeit one centred around a martial arts star trying to stretch his dramatic legs.
Van Damme, to his credit, commits to the role. He dials back the flamboyant kicks (though there's still some signature Van Damme fighting) in favour of a more subdued, world-weary performance. Is it Oscar-worthy? Let's be honest, no. But does he sell the desperation and the eventual acceptance of his fate within the Legion? I think so. It was part of a period where JCVD seemed keen to prove he could do more than just the splits, and Legionnaire stands as one of his more interesting attempts.
The film isn't without its slightly dated elements, of course. Some of the dialogue can feel a bit on-the-nose, and the romantic subplot feels somewhat tacked on. But these are minor quibbles when viewed through the lens of late-90s action cinema. It delivered exactly what it promised: Van Damme facing impossible odds in a harsh environment, sprinkled with camaraderie and sacrifice.
### Final Verdict
Legionnaire might not be the first title that springs to mind when discussing Jean-Claude Van Damme's filmography, often overshadowed by his flashier martial arts hits. But revisiting it feels like rediscovering a sturdy, well-crafted adventure film that dared to be different. It’s a dusty, sun-baked slice of 90s action cinema that relied on practical grit over digital polish.
Rating: 7/10
The rating reflects a solid, entertaining period action film with impressive practical effects and location work, featuring a committed Van Damme trying something new. It's held back slightly by some clunky dialogue and predictable plot points, but its earnest ambition and atmospheric setting make it a worthwhile watch for fans.
Final Thought: Forget the spin kicks, Legionnaire is Van Damme trading spandex for sand and sweat – a surprisingly grounded Foreign Legion adventure that feels refreshingly tangible in today's CGI world. A solid rental, indeed.