Double Team (film)

Last updated

Double Team
Double team ver1.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Tsui Hark
Written byDon Jakoby
Paul Mones
Produced by Moshe Diamant
David Rodgers
Starring
Cinematography Peter Pau
Edited by Bill Pankow
Music by Gary Chang
Production
companies
Distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing
Release date
  • April 4, 1997 (1997-04-04)
Running time
93 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$48.1 million [1]

Double Team is a 1997 action comedy film directed by Hong Kong filmmaker Tsui Hark in his American directorial debut, and written by Don Jakoby and Paul Mones. It stars Jean-Claude Van Damme as counter-terrorist agent Jack Quinn, who is assigned to bring an elusive terrorist known as Stavros (Mickey Rourke) to justice. Things become personal when Stavros kidnaps Quinn's pregnant wife after his own lover and child were killed in an assassination attempt gone awry. Aiding Quinn in his rescue is his flamboyant weapons dealer Yaz (Dennis Rodman). It received negative reviews and was nominated for and received three Golden Raspberry Awards: Worst Supporting Actor (Rodman), Worst New Star (Rodman) and Worst Screen Couple (Rodman and Van Damme).

Contents

Plot

After retrieving a truck load of plutonium stolen from a US military base in Croatia by freelance international terrorist Stavros, anti-terrorist agent Jack Paul Quinn retires to Southern France with Kathryn, his pregnant wife. A government representative tells Quinn that Stavros, Quinn's nemesis, has become active again and convinces Quinn to come out of retirement.

Quinn travels to Antwerp, Belgium where quirky arms dealer Yaz outfits him. Quinn and his team track Stavros to an amusement park, but Quinn hesitates to shoot Stavros when he sees Stavros is meeting with his six-year-old son. Stavros exploits Quinn's hesitation and a shootout ensues. Stavros' son is killed. Stavros flees into a hospital, pursued by Quinn. Stavros and Quinn fight in the maternity ward, and Quinn is knocked unconscious by an explosion.

Due to his hesitation, Quinn is declared killed in action and placed in 'The Colony', an invisible penal island for secret agents. The occupants of the Colony are expected to analyze terrorist threats and register themselves every day using a fingerprint scanner. While analyzing information from a terrorist bombing, Quinn picks up a message from Stavros telling him that Stavros has kidnapped Kathryn. Quinn slices off the skin of his fingertip and puts it into an automated device to fool the fingerprint scanner, then escapes the energy field surrounding the island by attaching himself to cargo due to be extracted from the air. Another agent on the Colony, Goldsmythe, is activated as Quinn's "guardian", responsible for tracking him down.

Quinn enlists Yaz's assistance by promising access to CIA bank accounts. The two go to Quinn's house, where they are ambushed by Stavros' men. After fighting the men off, Quinn receives a message from Stavros telling him that he must go to Rome for his baby's sake. When they arrive in Rome, Quinn admits to Yaz that the bank accounts are empty, and he has nothing to offer for Yaz's services, but a promise to repay him. However, Yaz volunteers his help after he learns that Quinn's wife is pregnant from a sonogram delivered to the given rendezvous. Quinn emails Stavros encouraging him to meet in a town square.

At the meeting point, Quinn catches sight of Kathryn in a car but is intercepted by Stavros and a shootout occurs as Kathryn is driven away. Quinn tracks Stavros' sniper to the hotel suite where Kathryn was being held and finds a clue to her whereabouts: a prescription bottle label. With the help of an order of monks Yaz has equipped with computers and Internet access, Quinn reaches the hospital. He finds Kathryn has given birth and Stavros has taken his son. Quinn locates Stavros and the baby in a Roman amphitheater. Stavros leaves Quinn in the middle of a minefield with his son and a tiger.

Yaz arrives on a motorbike and snatches the baby, leaving Quinn to escape from the tiger and go after Stavros. While Quinn and Stavros fight in the minefield, Yaz moves the markers, leading Stavros to step on a mine, unable to move without setting it off. Goldsmythe, who has tracked Quinn, finds the baby; Quinn, his son, Goldsmythe and Yaz run as Stavros is charged by the tiger and takes his foot off the mine. They take shelter from the explosion behind a vending machine. Goldsmythe asks Quinn for his hair and shirt as proof that he successfully tracked him; Yaz drops a smoke bomb, allowing Quinn to escape.

Cast

Production

Filming

Arles Amphitheater, Arles, South France. Arenes d'Arles 1.jpg
Arles Amphitheater, Arles, South France.

Double Team was filmed on location in Antwerp, Belgium;[ citation needed ] Nice and Arles, France; and Rome, Italy. [2] Whilst the film implies that the climactic fight between Quinn and Stavros takes place in Rome's Colosseum, the scenes were actually filmed in and around the Arles Amphitheater in Southern France.[ citation needed ]

Score

Original music for Double Team was composed by Gary Chang, who had previously worked on films including The Breakfast Club and The Color of Money . The soundtrack includes songs by Joey Schwartz, Leareo Gianferrari, and Crystal Waters featuring Dennis Rodman.[ citation needed ]

Reception

Critical reception

"More than just another action director, Tsui Hark is one of world cinema's great fantasists, with The Butterfly Murders and Once Upon a Time in China among his many credits. But this is rubbish: an incoherent James Bond-ish yarn distinguished only by its formal decadence and the presence of basketball's Dennis Rodman."
—TCh of Time Out London. [3]

Double Team attracted many negative reviews, holding a current score of 11% on review aggregation site Rotten Tomatoes. [4] Rodman's contribution as Yaz attracted particular criticism with attention being brought to the character's esoteric fashion sense, one reviewer pointing out that "his hair covers all known hues of the spectrum." [5] In addition, the film's plot and production was attacked by several reviewers for being unimaginative and impassive. The New York Times wrote that Double Team's "sets are impersonal. Actors sleepwalk. Scenes do not end, they just stop." [6]

Criticism was not, however, universally negative. The Los Angeles Times referred to Double Team as "one of Van Damme's best" and continued to praise both Rodman's and Rourke's performances. [7] [8] In addition, the film was awarded four stars out of five by boxoffice.com in a retrospective review written in 2008. [9]

Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B−" on an A+ to F scale. [10]

Awards and nominations

AwardCategoryNomineeResult
Razzie Award Worst New Star Dennis Rodman Won
Worst Supporting Actor Won
Worst Screen Couple Won
Jean-Claude Van Damme Won
Stinkers Bad Movie Awards Worst On-Screen Couple Jean-Claude Van Damme
Dennis Rodman
Won

Related Research Articles

<i>Fire Down Below</i> (1997 film) 1997 American film

Fire Down Below is a 1997 American action film starring Steven Seagal and directed by Félix Enríquez Alcalá in his directorial debut. The film also includes cameos by country music performers Randy Travis, Mark Collie, Ed Bruce, Marty Stuart and Travis Tritt, and country-rocker and the Band member Levon Helm, as well as Kris Kristofferson in a supporting role. Steven Seagal plays Jack Taggert, an EPA agent who investigates a Kentucky mine and helps locals stand up for their rights. The film was released in the United States on September 5, 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jean-Claude Van Damme</span> Belgian actor and martial artist (born 1960)

Jean-Claude Camille François Van Varenberg, known professionally as Jean-Claude Van Damme, is a Belgian actor, martial artist, and conservationist. Born and raised in Brussels, his father enrolled him in martial arts classes at the age of ten, which led Van Damme to compete in several karate and kickboxing competitions. With the desire of becoming an actor, he moved to the United States in 1982, where he did odd jobs and worked on several films, until he got his break as the lead in the martial arts film Bloodsport (1988).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dennis Rodman</span> American basketball player (born 1961)

Dennis Keith Rodman is an American former professional basketball player. Known for his fierce defensive and rebounding abilities, his biography on the official NBA website states that he is "arguably the best rebounding forward in NBA history". Nicknamed "the Worm", he played for the Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, and Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Rodman played at the small forward position in his early years before becoming a power forward.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mickey Rourke</span> American actor and former boxer

Philip Andre "Mickey" Rourke Jr. is an American actor and former professional boxer who has appeared primarily as a leading man in drama, action, and thriller films.

<i>Patriot Games</i> 1987 novel by Tom Clancy

Patriot Games is a thriller novel, written by Tom Clancy and published in July 1987. Without Remorse, released six years later, is an indirect prequel, and it is chronologically the first book featuring Jack Ryan, the main character in most of Clancy's novels. The novel focuses on Ryan being the target of Irish terrorist group Ulster Liberation Army for thwarting their kidnapping attempt on the Prince and Princess of Wales in London. It debuted at number one on the New York Times bestseller list. A film adaptation, starring Harrison Ford as Ryan, premiered on June 5, 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chuck Zito</span> American actor

Charles Alfred Zito Jr. is an American actor and boxer who is the former president of the New York chapter of the Hells Angels, and later became an actor.

<i>Timecop</i> 1994 film by Peter Hyams

Timecop is a 1994 American science fiction action film directed by Peter Hyams and co-written by Mike Richardson and Mark Verheiden. Richardson also served as executive producer. The film is based on Timecop, a story created by Richardson, written by Verheiden, and drawn by Ron Randall, which appeared in the anthology comic Dark Horse Comics, published by Dark Horse Comics. It is the first installment in the Timecop franchise.

<i>Double Impact</i> 1991 American action film by Sheldon Lettich

Double Impact is a 1991 American action film written and directed by Sheldon Lettich, and written, produced by and starring Jean-Claude Van Damme as Chad and Alex Wagner. The film marks Van Damme's third collaboration with director Sheldon Lettich and second collaboration with Bolo Yeung. Double Impact was released in the United States on August 9, 1991.

<i>Sudden Death</i> (1995 film) 1995 American film

Sudden Death is a 1995 American action-thriller film directed by Peter Hyams and starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, Powers Boothe, Raymond J. Barry, and Dorian Harewood. The film pits a lone fire marshal against extortionists who hold unsuspecting NHL players and fans for ransom during game seven of the Stanley Cup Finals, and set payment milestones to coincide with the game's progress. It was Hyams' second directorial collaboration with Van Damme, after Timecop (1994) and before Enemies Closer (2013).

<i>Knock Off</i> (film) 1998 action film

Knock Off is a 1998 action film directed by Tsui Hark and starring Jean-Claude Van Damme and Rob Schneider. The film was released in the United States on September 4, 1998. The title is a double entendre, as the term colloquially refers to both counterfeit goods as well as targeted killing. The film is one of the last in the world to feature Kai Tak Airport still in use; the airport closed in 1998.

<i>I Spy</i> (2002 film) 2002 film by Betty Thomas

I Spy is a 2002 American buddy spy comedy film directed by Betty Thomas, and starring Eddie Murphy and Owen Wilson. The film is based on the television series of the same name that aired in the 1960s and starred Robert Culp and Bill Cosby. The plot follows a spy and a famous civilian boxer who go undercover to prevent a gun runner from selling a stolen stealth bomber to the highest bidder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vesper Lynd</span> Fictional James Bond character

Vesper Lynd is a fictional character featured in Ian Fleming's 1953 James Bond novel Casino Royale. She was portrayed by Ursula Andress in the 1967 James Bond parody, which is only slightly based on the novel, and by Eva Green in the 2006 film adaptation.

<i>Middle Men</i> (film) 2009 American drama film

Middle Men is a 2009 American drama film directed by George Gallo and written by Gallo and Andy Weiss. It stars Luke Wilson, Giovanni Ribisi, Gabriel Macht and James Caan. The movie is based on the experiences of Christopher Mallick, who was previously associated with the Internet billing companies Epoch and ePassporte. Christopher Mallick has been accused of stealing millions of dollars from his customers at ePassporte to fund the creation of the film.

<i>The Expendables</i> (2010 film) 2010 American action film by Sylvester Stallone

The Expendables is a 2010 American action film directed by Sylvester Stallone, who co-wrote it with David Callaham and also starred in the lead role. The film co-stars an ensemble cast of mostly action film actors consisting of Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, Terry Crews, Steve Austin, Mickey Rourke, and Bruce Willis. The film was released in the United States on August 13, 2010. It is the first installment in The Expendables film series. This was Dolph Lundgren's first theatrically released film since 1995's cyberpunk film Johnny Mnemonic.

<i>Beeper</i> (film) 2002 American film

Beeper is a 2002 American crime thriller film directed by Jack Sholder.

<i>Across the Line: The Exodus of Charlie Wright</i> 2010 American film

Across the Line: The Exodus of Charlie Wright is a 2010 crime thriller film directed by R. Ellis Frazier and starring Aidan Quinn. Filming took place in Los Angeles, California and Tijuana, Mexico. The film follows a banker (Quinn) who escapes the U.S. with billions after he is revealed to be a fraud, as well as the authorities and mercenaries tracking him down.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carrie Mathison</span> Fictional character of the American TV drama thriller Homeland

Carrie Anne Mathison, played by actress Claire Danes, is a fictional character and the protagonist of the American television drama/thriller series Homeland on Showtime, created by Alex Gansa and Howard Gordon. Carrie is a CIA officer who, while on assignment in Iraq, learned from a CIA asset that an American prisoner of war had been turned by al-Qaeda. After a U.S. Marine sergeant named Nicholas Brody is rescued from captivity, Carrie believes that he is the POW described to her. Carrie's investigation of Brody is complicated by her bipolar disorder and results in an obsession with her suspect.

<i>Java Heat</i> 2013 American film

Java Heat is a 2013 American-Indonesian action film. Directed by Conor Allyn, the film stars Kellan Lutz, Mickey Rourke, Ario Bayu and Atiqah Hasiholan.

<i>The Last Mercenary</i> (2021 film) 2021 French film

The Last Mercenary is a 2021 French action comedy film directed by David Charhon with a screenplay by Charhon and Ismael Sy Savane. The film stars Jean-Claude Van Damme in the lead role, along with a supporting cast that includes Alban Ivanov, Assa Sylla and Samir Decazza. It was released on Netflix on July 30, 2021.

References

  1. "Double%20Team (1997)". worldwideboxoffice.com. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  2. Double Team (1997) – Movie Details – Yahoo! Movies Archived May 22, 2011, at the Wayback Machine . Movies.yahoo.com. Retrieved on 2011-02-23.
  3. Double Team Review. Movie Reviews – Film – Time Out London Archived June 7, 2011, at the Wayback Machine . Timeout.com (2009-01-06). Retrieved on 2011-02-23.
  4. "Double Team (1997)". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved 2014-09-01.
  5. 'Double Team': Nothing but Air. WashingtonPost.com (1997-04-04). Retrieved on 2011-02-23.
  6. Maslin, Janet. (1997-04-04) Movie Review – Double Team – Blood, Fire and Bombs Before an Impassive Face – NYTimes.com. Movies.nytimes.com. Retrieved on 2011-02-23.
  7. "Rodman Romps on Riviera in Weak Thriller 'Simon Sez'". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved 2011-01-31.
  8. "Double Team Pumps Up Action-Thriller Genre". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2011-01-31.
  9. Double Team — Inside Movies Since 1920 Archived January 7, 2010, at the Wayback Machine . Boxoffice.com (2009-12-18). Retrieved on 2011-02-23.
  10. "CinemaScore". cinemascore.com.