Ross622 Ringo Lam's "Replicant" is a movie with a really lame title that turns into a very lame movie and I happen to be very lucky that I haven't seen many boring action movies. The movie stars Jean-Claude Van Dammewho plays the replicant whose purpose is to track down a serial killer named Edward Garrotte (also played by Van Damme) with the help of two cops. One of them being Detective Jake Riley (Michael Rooker) who has been tracking down Garrotte for three years and now more than ever because his family is at risk. When the replicant meets the serial killer the battle stunts are so pathetic it's like they're pretending to play a superhero video game, Ringo Lam's direction is so pathetic and the screenplay by Lawrence Riggins and Les Weldon is one of the worst screenplays ever to be executed on film in motion picture history. If I were a cop several years from now and I was looking for a killer I definitely wouldn't want to clone him only because this movie was so god awful it is one of the biggest pieces of cinematic garbage that it can take up a lot of space in a sanitary landfill for bad movies only if only there was one.

LeonLouisRicci There is Child Abuse in this Film and that doesn't mean the Baby in the Crib. It is the way Michael Rooker's Retired Cop Caretaker Beats and Berates the Newly Cloned and Confused Replicant from the Get Go.He Teases Him with Holding Back Food, Handcuffs the Poor Boy Relentlessly and Pummels Him Bloody Jumping to Conclusions. This Abuse is Pretty Hard to Take and Keeps the Movie from being Enjoyable.The Bad Van Damme Serial Killer who is Damaged Goods from an Also Abusive Childhood is Believably Sinister and there are some Gritty Goings On that could have made this an Edgy Thriller. The Cloning Aspect might also have Added a bit of Sci-Fi Horror to Upgrade from Standard JCVD Stuff.But the way this Thing is Handled, it is the Most Dumbed Down Hollywood Cringe Inducements that are just Brainless and Mean Spirited. Overall it Cannot be Recommended because the whole Mentor/Father Relationship Ping-Pongs between Contempt and Cuddling and is not Believable for One Second and it is Off Putting to say the Least.

callanvass I have seen Replicant quite a few times now, and I appreciate it more,each time I view it. For a direct to video film, your not gonna find many better than this one. Replicant is so sinister in its approach,taking us on a wild ride, we soon won't forget. It's got much more depth then the usual serial killer film . It's unrelentingly brutal nature only helped the film. It starts off with a disturbing sequence of Van Damme burning a mother to death,then putting on one hell of an exciting chase sequence, when Rooker shows up. Van Damme's double performance as Garrotte and The Replicant is truly astonishing. I have been a Van Dammefor many years. He's never been known for his acting, but lately he's been putting on some incredible performances, as far as him is concerned. He is absolutely chilling as Garrotte the serial killer,with no remorse, yet perfectly restrained as The Replicant, and vulnerable. I enjoyed him most as The Replicant, because he brought a lot of humor to the film's proceedings, with his mimicking of Michael Rooker.It also boasts some of the most impressive flashback scenes i've ever seen. Every flashback scene shown of Garrotte managed to send chills up and down my spine, especially the one's of him as a kid, with his mother scolding him. Though, I have to say, the non flashback one of him visiting his Mom in the hospital, out does it. The veteran presence,Michael Rooker has in this film, is all that more beneficial. UnlikeMr.Seagal|Who I like, but has become very lazy with his films} VanDamme always puts effort into his DTV films. Van Damme obviously cared a lot about the project, and because of it, the film turned out really good. It develops it's relationships perfectly. I do feel the need to warn you all though. This is not your typical Van Damme film. This one has plenty of action, plenty of roundhouse kicks, but it's more story oriented then anything else. Replicant's plot is a pretty simple one,but it all comes together extremely well, due to its well structured story, and it's relentlessness.Performances. Jean Claude Van Damme has played doubles before, but he's better this time around. He gives one of the finest performances of his career. He is a complete madman as The Serial Killer, yet managed to not go too over the top. If your used to seeing him as a good guy, your in for a shock, when you see his fantastically sickening performance, as The Serial Killer. As The Replicant, he is wonderfully vulnerable. His chemistry with Rooker is truly excellent. It's obvious Van Damme thought this role was special, because he put his heart and soul into the role. Michael Rooker is one intense guy. I always enjoy watching him on-screen. Nobody can match this guy's intensity, nobody!well very few, anyway. Catherine Dent is OK as the wife, she did what she had to do adequately.Bottom line. Replicant is one of Van Damme's best films. Don't be put off, because it's DTV, Replicant is a great film, in pretty much all aspects. If you want action, emotion, well-developed characters and good acting, you've come to the right place. Clone this!.8/10

pete I think we can never wait an A+ movie from the Belgian martial arts star. But between all those weak movies he made after his only one chance period, this is a big-good-surprise. Maybe it's Ringo Lam the answer or maybe Van Damme realized, that he must turn his character in a better way. I don't know but Replicant works for me. Okay I was a big fan of JCVD in the '90s. And I always hoped maybe Tarantino will bring him back to the top 10. The Replicant is not a typical Van Damme movie. He plays a double role like in Double Team but the story is much better than in 1990. It's not perfect there are typical B-movie parts and we can clearly see here is nothing to do with Hollywood. In his way with the good(!!!) acting of JCVD and Michael Rooker Replicant goes higher than we can imagine. Van Damme's double character is good enough. Action comes with the evil side and feelings and a lot of things more with the "clone". Some parts of the movie are really good. Especially when Rooker punishes Van Damme in the basement. A really good scene!!! So, maybe You like him, maybe not give him a chance! It's worth to see and wonder how can a B-movie star climbing near to the top of the Hollywood mountains.