Screener Review: POUND OF FLESH (2015)

SYNOPSIS:

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.

REVIEW:

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.

Director Ernie Barbarash returns to the helm for a third outing with our lead actor which pits our story in the heart of the Philippines where we meet our protagonist, Deacon Lyle, who lands in town and settles just hours before a chance meeting with a woman who seduces him into a comatose state, only to have him wake up alone in a bloody ice bath with a missing kidney, and the burning will to get it back at any cost. As the story progresses, we eventually meet actor John Ralston who plays estranged brother, George, whose early life took a different path from childhood opposite that of Deacon's, something that further adds to the rift between the two siblings who now must work together to get the kidney back for the sake of George's daughter, Isabella, played by Adele Baughan.

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.

Much to our appeal, the wait is not very long before the action starts with veteran action choreographer and Hong Kong Hall Of Famer John Salvitti at the controls. The key fight sequences are hard-hitting and brutal, peppered with Salvitti's signature MMA style by way of his screenfighting system, Salvitti Super Scraps - often seen lately in hit films like Flash Point and Special ID. As for the editing and camerawork, just a few close-up shots and slow-motion cuts that get in the way of the pacing of a few of the fights sequences and a key car chase scene, but the action never loses its gruesome tone, and Van Damme's 

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.