The Quest Reviews

1996

Rated:
60
from 1774 members

A kid from the mean streets of 1920's New York flees the police aboard a ship bound for the orient. Hijacked at sea, he is adopted by a rogueish pirate (Roger Moore) who sells him to a martial arts school on a remote island. There he is prepared to enter a global fighting challenge staged at the mystical, mysterious Lost City .. Read more

Starring	Jean-Claude Van Damme, Roger Moore, Aki Aleong, Jack McGee
Director	Jean-Claude Van Damme
Genres	Action/Adventure, Thriller

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Critics' reviews (5) of The Quest
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Jean-Claude Van Damme made his directorial debut with this martial arts action adventure, and he also stars as a small-time street criminal in 1920s New York who finds himself a stowaway on a ship headed for the South China Sea. Following an attack by pirates, Van Damme meets Lord Edgar Dobbs (Roger Moore), and ends up in the charge of a martial arts master. Soon Van Damme is entered in the “ultimate fighting match” with its winning prize of a solid-gold dragon statue. Van Damme made a career starring in fighting tournament movies like this one, but this self-directed effort is remarkably better than his usual output.
- Radio Times
- Posted 29 Jan 2006
"...With the same grace and discipline he displays in front of the camera, Jean-Claude Van Damme makes a socko directorial debut with THE QUEST, a martial arts adventure odyssey that's epic in scale and high in style..."
- Los Angeles Times
- Posted 11 Mar 2005
Trivial martial arts flick, serving up the same old narrative as usual; this time it is woodenly directed as well as acted.
- Halliwell's Film Guide
- Posted 02 Mar 2006
Most helpful members' reviews (3) of The Quest
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

repeat of bloodsport

this film seemed to be bloodsport all over again but i still really enjoyed it
- - anthony from lancs
  - Posted 16 Jun 2005 22:12
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

Van Damme Good

Should have been called Bloodsport 2 (well Frank Dux did co-write it) but its great. I love all things Damme does so no bad words from me. Classic kick the ***p out of everyone action!
- - Ian Howard from Manchester
  - Posted 19 Jan 2006 19:49
Only for Van Damme fans

It's nice to see Jean-Claude kickin' ass as usual but this film must've cost about £100 to make. The concept of the film is good but the script is poor.
- - A customer from Oldham, England
  - Posted 14 Mar 2006 16:55
Most recent members' reviews (2) of The Quest
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bloodsport in disguise

this is bloodsport under a different title fighting in the same ancient way the script and storyline i did not find exciting one bit a miss with me
- - jade from London
  - Posted 12 Apr 2008 16:13
Great

Love this film not one of Van The Mans best but great all the same
- - A customer from Jarrow
  - Posted 23 Oct 2008 14:08

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

repeat of bloodsport

this film seemed to be bloodsport all over again but i still really enjoyed it
- - anthony from lancs
  - Posted 16 Jun 2005 22:12
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

Van Damme Good

Should have been called Bloodsport 2 (well Frank Dux did co-write it) but its great. I love all things Damme does so no bad words from me. Classic kick the ***p out of everyone action!
- - Ian Howard from Manchester
  - Posted 19 Jan 2006 19:49
Only for Van Damme fans

It's nice to see Jean-Claude kickin' ass as usual but this film must've cost about £100 to make. The concept of the film is good but the script is poor.
- - A customer from Oldham, England
  - Posted 14 Mar 2006 16:55
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful

Like a midget performing a high jump...

This just doesn't work. We all know that Van Damme is good at fighting, running and shooting, but generally not acclaimed for his acting. Or for that matter his directing. This film is a strange hotch potch of ideas with turn of the century (19th-20th) setting and kickboxing in an 'epic' film. I will not have any problems revealing plot in this review as there isn't really one to speak off. Van Damme fights and then he erm... fights and then the film ends. So if you like fighting you might love it; if you like Van Damme you might like it but for most it will be a watchable but uninspiring experience. Roger Moore makes an embarassing appearance though which almost makes it worthwhile.... almost.
- - Sherlockian from N E Lincs
  - Posted 13 Jan 2004 23:10
[Highly rated reviewer]

Why Did I Look?

I cannot answer my own question. I don't mind some of Van Dammes' work, but one word comes to mind with this one...... Boring!

Fighters are gathered from around the globe to fight in a tournament. Obviously some one forgot to mention that the fights should be exciting.

And what was Roger Moore doing in this? I actually fell asleep at one point.
- - drunkenmaster from Merthyr Tydfil,
  - Posted 15 Aug 2005 11:35
[Highly rated reviewer]

Good film!

Must say i did really enjoy this.As said,very similar to Bloodsport.The competiton at the end is enjoyable to watch
- - sharon cumper from Redhill
  - Posted 17 Feb 2007 11:34
bloodsport in disguise

this is bloodsport under a different title fighting in the same ancient way the script and storyline i did not find exciting one bit a miss with me
- - jade from London
  - Posted 12 Apr 2008 16:13
The Quest

one of the best films van dammne has made.
- - mirza akhtar from stoke on trent
  - Posted 01 Jul 2008 11:46
Cant beat Jean Claude

Enjoy all his movies so cant complain
- - Skidrick from Crumlin
  - Posted 06 Oct 2008 22:08
Great

Love this film not one of Van The Mans best but great all the same
- - A customer from Jarrow
  - Posted 23 Oct 2008 14:08

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Critics' reviews (5)
Jean-Claude Van Damme made his directorial debut with this martial arts action adventure, and he also stars as a small-time street criminal in 1920s New York who finds himself a stowaway on a ship headed for the South China Sea. Following an attack by pirates, Van Damme meets Lord Edgar Dobbs (Roger Moore), and ends up in the charge of a martial arts master. Soon Van Damme is entered in the “ultimate fighting match” with its winning prize of a solid-gold dragon statue. Van Damme made a career starring in fighting tournament movies like this one, but this self-directed effort is remarkably better than his usual output.
- Radio Times
- Posted 29 Jan 2006
"...With the same grace and discipline he displays in front of the camera, Jean-Claude Van Damme makes a socko directorial debut with THE QUEST, a martial arts adventure odyssey that's epic in scale and high in style..."
- Los Angeles Times
- Posted 11 Mar 2005
Trivial martial arts flick, serving up the same old narrative as usual; this time it is woodenly directed as well as acted.
- Halliwell's Film Guide
- Posted 02 Mar 2006
Lord Edgar Dobbs (Moore), a roguish con-man, first rescues fugitive New York street criminal Chris Dubois (Van Damme)... read more on Time Out
- Time Out
- Posted 04 Nov 2008
"...In the arena of expertly choreographed man-to-man mayhem, Van Damme ranks among the champs..."
- Chicago Sun
- Posted 11 Mar 2005