Starring
Sho Kosugi, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Doran Clarke, Bruce French,
William Bassett, Vladimir Skomarovsky, Kane & Shane Kosugi (Sho's
kids). Directed by Eric Karson. (1988/93 min).
A
plane carrying an experimental laser device crashes off-screen
(shaving the special effects budget) in the Mediterranean Sea. The
Americans need their best operative, Ken Tani (a.k.a. Black Eagle, played by Sho Kosugi) to
retrieve it before the Russians do. He initially
refuses because he wants to spend time with his family. But
his superiors got his back: They send his two young boys to Malta
with him, so now Ken's dangerous, deadly mission into hostile territory can be a work vacation!
Other
than this hilariously lazy plot contrivance (the kids only exist to
be put in peril), there's nothing particularly remarkable about Black
Eagle. It was just one of countless generic, B-movie action-fests
you used to find on any Blockbuster shelf. Respected martial artist
Sho Kosugi lacked the on-screen charisma to stand out among his
peers, and it probably goes without saying there's never been an Eric
Karson career retrospective film festival.
 |
| "Black Eagle, huh? More like Mr. Shrinky-Dink." |
Still,
Black Eagle earns a footnote in action history for featuring
Jean-Claude Van Damme in one of his first substantial roles. Made
before Bloodsport turned him into an international star, he's
one of the Russian baddies, a stone-faced enforcer who kicks, punches
and performs his patented splits more often than he speaks. Practically
shoehorned into the movie, his character is a constant presence but
inconsequential to the actual plot. Van Damme's really only here to scowl
and square-off against Kosugi a few times, but he's admittedly the best part of the movie.
 |
| Jean-Claude's friends need hobbies of their own. |
The
film itself is a by-the-numbers thriller with rote performances, a
generic plot and low-wattage action. But if one's aware of this going
in, Black Eagle isn't without some entertainment value, though
sometimes at its own expense. It helps if you have an affinity for
the plethora of budget-conscious action epics being cranked out in the 80s.
A lot of 'em were unintentionally funny even then and this one's no
exception, especially during scenes which take place on and under the
sea, such as a toy boat being used to depict the destruction of a
massive cargo ship.
It's
really the perfect choice for another Blu-Ray release in MVD's
wonderfully-kitschy "Rewind Collection" series. Like their
recent release of the equally-dubious Attack of the Killer
Tomatoes, MVD has pulled out all the stops to give Black Eagle
a remastered Blu-Ray that's loaded with substantial new bonus
material, including four lengthy featurettes and two
versions of the film (theatrical & extended cut, running 10 minutes
longer). Even the cover art and slipcase are affectionate throwbacks to the glory days of VHS, complete with tattered stickers politely reminding
viewers to "Be Kind...Rewind." Whether or not you care for the movie itself, these extras are a lot of fun.
EXTRA
KIBBLES
FEATURETTES:
"The Making of Black Eagle"; "Sho Kosugi:
Martial Arts Legend"; "Tales of Jean-Claude Van Damme";
"The Script and the Screenwriters"
EXTENDED
CUT OF THE FILM (104 min)
DELETED
SCENES
TRAILER
MINI-POSTER
DVD
COPY
KITTY CONSENSUS:
NOT BAD...LIKE CAT CHOW
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