I agree, Midi-chlorian Count:

Though this film was released in 1994, it could've easily fit in during the 1980s.

Decent practical/optical special effects (minimal CGI)? Check.

Attractive female love interest (Mia Sara) who actually gets naked during a sex scene? Check.

Cheesy yet compelling villain (Ron Silver)? Check.

Unapologetically action for the sake of action, yet not too over-the-top (compare to today's films, where the easy availability of CGI can make everything over-the-top)? Check.

No super rapid-action camera work, so that the viewer can actually discern what's going on? Check.

I had to laugh at the scene where Jean-Claude Van Damme scissors his legs, while wearing only his tighty-whities, as lasers go by beneath him, and how the camera was all over his muscled body (he wasn't called the "muscles from Brussels" for nothing). An obvious treat for the ladies in the audience.

But, fair is fair. It's not as if the camera hasn't been salivating over the bodies of actresses since, well, the beginning of film.

Nice post, Midi-chlorian.

@northcoast said:

I had to laugh at the scene where Jean-Claude Van Damme scissors his legs, while wearing only his tighty-whities, as lasers go by beneath him, and how the camera was all over his muscled body (he wasn't called the "muscles from Brussels" for nothing). An obvious treat for the ladies in the audience.

I always suspect shots like that are far more for the non-hetero guys in the audience than the ladies...