Screener Review: POUND OF FLESH (2015)
In South Asia to donate his kidney to his dying niece, former black-ops agent Deacon awakes the day before the operation to find he is the latest victim of organ theft. Stitched up and pissed-off, Deacon descends from his opulent hotel in search of his stolen kidney and carves a blood-soaked path through the darkest corners of the city. The clock is ticking for his niece and with each step he loses blood.
Action superstar Jean-Claude Van Damme‘s career revival in recent years has induced a much-deserved resurgence in fandom, and for good reason. Having earned his way upward as an action film legend in well over twenty-five years, his acting muscles have lately grown just as prominently with age in films like JCVD, Universal Soldier: Regeneration and Day Of Reckoning, and Enemies Closer, and to this, his latest contribution with the new action thriller, Pound Of Flesh, is no exception.
The story is filled with ample intrigue to accompany the film’s action and thrills with a script often host to thematic elements throughout the film involving religion and questions of faith. Some of this does tend to get campy from time to time amid all of the plot development, although much of the dialogue is held together by strong performances and acting caliber between Van Damme and Ralston and the rest of the cast; Actress Charlotte Peters plays the mysterious woman in question and adds plenty of redeeming value in a role which often gets underwritten in some films, while seasoned actor Aki Aleong was great to see on screen once again with Van Damme since last working together in the 1998 tournament epic, The Quest. Longstanding action legend and co-star, late actor Darren Shahlavi leaves his lasting mark as the film’s principal villain, Drake, who is responsible for trafficking all of the organs he systemically steals and sells to the highest bidder.
Barbarash, who directed last year’s Michael Jai White actioner, Falcon Rising, continues to showcase his skills at crafting together thrilling stories filled with action and touching performances to boot, and there’s no question that this film is the whole package. Joshua James’s script was also key in lending Van Damme the space to continue emitting such a visceral and stellar performance on top of such a fitting cast. There are a few visual hiccups throughout, but the film gladly makes up for them by staying on message with solid action, drama and poignace, and a stellar pairing of legendary screenfighting stars with Van Damme and Shahlavi both in fine physical form.
All in all, Pound Of Flesh delivers every ounce of what it promises from start to finish. It further exemplifies just why it is we love Van Damme so much as he graces the screen with rewarding results, accompanied by a great cast of actors and stunt performers, and a director with tremendous vigor and talent for storytelling. However, far from least among its accomplishments, the film gives us one more look at Darren Shahlavi in his lasting legacy, and a bittersweet farewell to one of the industry’s most talented and memorable professionals across the world.
Shahlavi‘s family has since launched a GiveForward campaign page to help contribute toward the construction of a Hollywood memorial in his honor, which you can learn more about by clicking here. In the meantime, Pound Of Flesh will make its way to a limited U.S. theatrical and digital release on May 15.
Native New Yorker. Been writing for a long time now, and I enjoy what I do. Be nice to me!
Lee Hicks
May 12, 2015 @ 6:32 am
RIP Darren Shahlavi! I can't wait to see this film 🙂 I will be purchasing it as soon as it becomes available!!! JCVD is a childhood hero of mine & I will always support his work. This film looks amazing!!!