Death Warrant is a 1990 action thriller film about a cop who goes undercover in a Canadian prison to investigate a series of suspicious inmate deaths. The film stars Jean-Claude Van Damme as the tough, stoic hero who takes down bad guys with kicks and punches. With plenty of explosions, chases, and fights, Death Warrant is an adrenaline-fueled ride from start to finish.
⇩⇩⇩
Review
In the year 1990, a movie that seems to be an amalgamation of various genres hit the theaters. The movie called Death Warrant is a gripping action thriller with some brilliant performances and an intriguing storyline. The movie has been directed by Deran Sarafian and produced by Mark di Salle; it has Jean-Claude Van Damme in the lead role.
The plot of Death Warrant is set in a prison where inmates are dying under mysterious circumstances. The protagonist, Jean-Claude Van Damme, plays the role of a Canadian Mountie named Louis Burke who goes undercover as an inmate to investigate these murders. Burke soon realizes that there is a cult-like group operating within the prison walls, and they are behind these killings.
The action scenes in Death Warrant are spectacular, and the fight choreography is impressive. The sound effects are also spot on, which adds to the realism of the fight sequences. Jean-Claude Van Damme’s performance in this movie is truly commendable. He showcases his martial arts skills with such finesse that it leaves you completely awestruck.
Apart from Van Damme, there are several other notable cast members in this movie, including Robert Guillaume who plays Hawkins, Burke’s partner on the outside; Cynthia Gibb as Amanda Beckett, a journalist investigating the prison deaths; George Dickerson as Warden DeGraf; and Patrick Kilpatrick as antagonist Christian Naylor.
One aspect that stands out in Death Warrant is its suspenseful storyline. The plot twists keep you guessing until the very end; it keeps you on edge until everything finally falls into place. The score and cinematography of the movie are also exceptional; they add to the overall experience of watching Death Warrant.
Death Warrant was shot entirely in Canada at various locations such as Kingston Penitentiary and Collins Bay Institution. The filming took place over several months, with the cast and crew facing several challenges throughout the production process.
Despite being a box office success, Death Warrant received mixed reviews from critics. Some praised the movie for its action, while others thought that the script was weak. However, it did not stop the movie from becoming a cult classic, with fans hailing it as one of Van Damme’s best performances.
One scene that stands out in Death Warrant is when Burke faces off against Naylor in a brutal fight sequence. The scene is intense and showcases Van Damme’s ability to perform complex moves effortlessly.
The soundtrack of Death Warrant also deserves a special mention. The score by Paul Zaza is hauntingly beautiful and matches perfectly with the tone of the movie. The theme song “While I’m Alone” by Maze featuring Frankie Beverly is also iconic and has become synonymous with the movie.
In conclusion, Death Warrant is an engaging and thrilling action movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. It has everything you could ask for in an action thriller – great performances, intense fight sequences, an intriguing plot, and stunning cinematography. It is a must-watch for all fans of Jean-Claude Van Damme and those who love action movies in general.
Technical Data
- Runtime : 89
- Release : 1990-09-14
- Genre : Action, Crime, Thriller
- Cast : Jean-Claude Van Damme as Louis Burke, Robert Guillaume as Hawkins, Cynthia Gibb as Amanda Beckett, Patrick Kilpatrick as Christian ‘The Sandman’ Naylor, Art LaFleur as Sergeant DeGraf
- Crew : David S. Goyer as Writer, Alan Ladd Jr. as Producer, Sanja Milković Hays as Wardrobe Supervisor, Russell Carpenter as Director of Photography, Joseph A. Porro as Costume Design
- Popularity 18.527
- Budget : $4,000,000
- Revenue : $16,853,487
- Company : Pathé Pictures International, Cannon Group, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- Summary : The Canadian policeman Louis Burke is assigned in a jail to investigate the murders of prisoners and jailors. When in jail, Louis, using his outstandings martial arts skills, is able to save his life and make himself respected in that violent world. At least, helped by two another prisoners, he succeded in finding the truth about the dreadful crimes. In a violent and corrupt prison, decorated cop Louis Burke must infiltrate the jail to find answers to a number of inside murders. What he finds is a struggle of life and death tied in to his own past.
- Tagline :
