Maximum Risk - Snapshot

Maximum Risk was released in 1996, and I recall hearing about it at the time. Having been on my watch list, I finally got around to watching it today, 18 years after its release. Though the plot on IMDB sounded weak, something to do with a cop taking over his brother’s life and having to deal with the troubles that come with it, the movie was surprisingly interesting. The plot is actually quite intriguing, and the discovery process along the way should hold audience attention sufficiently. The Russian mob, the FBI, and the hot cocktail waitress help build suspense, and keep you trying to figure out stuff. Also, the opening sequences in South France provide for a nice window into the locales. The movie does feel a little dated though, especially the part shot in the United States. Performances were about average, including lead actor Van Damme’s. The fight sequences were good though, and unlike some of his other movies, his character comes across as normal, versus being somewhat super-human and unbelievable; that meshed into the plot particularly well. Natasha Henstridge did a good job, probably being the best act of the lot. The version I sampled was an HD rip from a BlueRay source. Picture was clear and crisp; color was good, though not overly vibrant. Sound was presented by means of a 6 channel DTS track, and it was quite impressive. Ambient sounds were excellent, examples including the market place and the train station. There was some positional audio noticeable as well.

My Recommendation: Watch It (An intriguing Van Damme and Natasha Henstridge suspense flick from the 90’s)