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Absolutely the worst movie.

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

I recorded this movie from a movie channel I subscribe to, mainly because Jean-Claude Van Damme was in it. I thought that if he was in it, the movie, direct to DVD or not, would be above average. Think again. It seems most of the budget was blown getting Van Damme, who only has a limited number of scenes that were probably knocked off in three or four days. The movie looks really cheap, with non- existent production values that look even more horrible due to the fact the movie is shot through colored filters and with other techniques that make every shot look UGLY. Though a good blame for the failure of the movie also falls on the script; among other things, it's hard to get a handle on the hero, there are several plot turns that are somewhat difficult to understand, and the rest of the plot is both extremely familiar and painfully predictable.There are a couple of redeeming qualities to this overall sorry movie, however. The fight scenes aren't that badly done, being both bone-crunching while feeling plausible. Also, I appreciated that the lead protagonist is not portrayed as being perfect both with fighting as well as his other actions. That was believable as well. So the movie isn't totally awful, but I still would not recommend it, even to rabid action fans.

Call me lame, but I still love me some Van Damage. Every time he has a new film coming out, I go out of my way to see it. I can't help it. I grew up with the guy, and he means a lot to me, but this was so disappointing, it's not even funny. Cung Lee certainly has some movies, there is no doubt about that, but he needs to start picking better scripts, so he can utilize his talents for maximum effect. For big Van Damme fans like myself, prepare to feel slightly ripped off and ultimately disappointed. Despite his top billing, he is barely in this film, and is reduced to a glorified cameo as a mentor to Cung Lee in prison, and the scenes between them are quite forgettable. When the fighting scenes happen, they are actually fairly exciting and violent. Cung Lee is terrific when it comes to action, but he needs work on charisma and personality as well. He is not yet able to carry a movie on his own. Peter Weller makes for a solid villain. He's usually dependable and here was no different. We also get Kristopher Van Varenberg (Van Damme's real life son) and he is proving to be quite the solid actorFinal Thoughts: It's too boring for its own good. It does have some good action sequences, but the boredom that frequently comes in between all that kills any momentum. Cung Lee has potential. I just hope he chooses a little more wisely in the future3.5/10

Fan or not, there is no denying Jean-Claude Van Damme's action star status throughout the 90's. Over the years he has made a name for himself in the straight to video market, but unlike some out there his movies have held a sense of quality on some level. His latest film Dragon Eyes brings along MMA fighter Cung Le, but takes Van Damme in a different role than we are used to seeing him in.Dragon Eyes follows a man who moves into neighborhood living in fear thanks to the rival gangs at war. Slowly he begins playing them against each other using his martial arts skills he learned from his mentor while serving time in prison. Just as he starts gaining control in the neighborhood he is thrust into a war with a corrupt police chief as well as the gangs to try and defend the scared people of this desperate neighborhood. While the story here isn't anything all that original it still gives it that old school feel. It kind of goes all over the place at times and seems to suffer a bit due to editing, but not enough to hurt the overall film. This film is very much like most martial arts films of the 80's and 90's. Cung Le takes the lead and does a decent job. His acting skills are slowly but surely getting better, but this is his first time out carrying one on his own shoulders and he does a fine job. Van Damme takes a back seat approach playing more of a Mr. Miyagi to Cung Le with very little dialogue, but still delivering an effective character through action. This film is clearly more about the martial arts and there is no shortage. Le does a great job with the fights delivering some well-choreographed entertaining fights.This is an old school martial arts film that fans of the genre will have fun with. Cung Le has made numerous films, but his turn as the lead here showcases a new generation of action star that he could easily fill. Van Damme serves his purpose here very effectively and gives you just enough of what he does best to tide you over until he steps it up as the villain in The Expendables 2.http://www.examiner.com/movie-in-dallas/bobby-blakey

This pugnacious criminal melodrama about a taciturn Asian who smashes a drug running operation qualifies as standard-issue stuff from start to finish. Nevertheless, "Universal Soldier: Regeneration" director John Hyams doesn't let the low budget undercut his gripping but formulaic thriller. Basically, "Dragon Eyes" is a modern day town-taming western. An enigmatic loner, Mr. Hong, is dispatched to the small town of St. Jude as a favor to a cell mate that served as his mentor. St. Jude is seething with anarchy. Pushers are selling drugs on the street, and the authorities are crooky. Although the setting and the characters are different, Hyams and scenarist Tim Tori have appropriated the Dashiell Hammett's novel "Red Harvest" as the template for this brawny slugfest as our reticent protagonist (former MMA champion Cung Le of "Pandorum") infiltrates the local gangs and manages to turn them against each other. The main villain cuts a flamboyant figure in a fedora named Mr. V (Peter Weller of "Robocop"), and he delivers a first-rate performance as a murderous crime lord who has no qualms about killing in cold blood. Martial arts legend Jean Claude Van Damme appears in our hero's flashbacks and serves as our hero's mentor. Hyams never lets the action slacken, and he stagess several effective, knuckle-smashing fights. Of course, the action supersedes plot, and the characters are strictly one-dimensional. "Dragon Eyes" contains some earthy dialogue, consistently cynical attitudes, and free-flowing violence that generates a body count. The amazing thing about "Dragon Eyes" is that Hyams keeps everything down-to-earth and believable. The action occurs in rooms, around apartments, but never ventures out into sprawling cityscapes. This is a no-nonsense brawling that doesn't wear out its welcome at 92 crisp minutes.