Wake of Death ()
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Listed by
DM Editor
Updated
September 08, 2024
Movie Info
Directed by
Top Cast
Runtime
91 mins.
Release date
December 28, 2004
Budget (In USD)
$14,000,000
Revenue (In USD)
$521,918
Movie Overview | Wake of Death ()
Tagline: Revenge was all he had left.
Synopsis
Ben Archer, an ex-mob enforcer, seeks revenge against a ruthless Chinese kingpin responsible for his wife’s brutal murder. When Archer joins forces with his old underworld friends, an all-out war is waged against the Chinese Triad.
Ben Archer, an ex-mob enforcer, seeks revenge against a ruthless Chinese kingpin responsible for his wife’s brutal murder. When Archer joins forces with his old underworld friends, an all-out war is waged against the Chinese Triad.
Writers
Philippe Martínez
Mick Davis
Laurent Fellous
Kristina Hamilton-Grobler
Producers
Alan Latham
Philippe Martínez
Stéphanie Martínez
Stanley Roup
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User reviews
Van Damme at his best
(Updated: January 04, 2025)
Overall rating
3.6
Entertainment Factor
3.0
Story
3.0
Actors Performance
5.0
Cinematography
5.0
Sound Track
2.0
I have always wanted Van Damme in a french style action-noir movie, like the old Alain Delon movies, I was very pleased when I saw Philippe Martinez mix Jean-Pierre Melville classic anti-hero lead with "MTV" camera work. It works perfectly. Van Damme makes his best performance to date, he really acts. The guy have taken some great amount of heat in his past due to his accent. This time around you can't blame or bash Jean-Claude for being stiff. The action scenes are suitable to the story, the fights are short and bloody. No need for fancy 360 kicks, a punch to the jaw and empty the clip in the chest. Classy. The cinematography is one of the best I have seen in a action movie, within this budget, and that is all thanks to the work by Emmanuel Kadosh. The music works really good for the emotional scenes and the sound is clear and top notch.
A Merciless Revenge Saga
(Updated: January 04, 2025)
Overall rating
3.6
Entertainment Factor
3.0
Story
3.0
Actors Performance
4.0
Cinematography
4.0
Sound Track
4.0
"Wake of Death" is a gritty action thriller that delivers a relentless, high-stakes revenge story. Jean-Claude Van Damme stars as Ben Archer, a former mobster who finds his quiet life upended when his wife is brutally murdered by a ruthless Chinese crime syndicate.
Fueled by grief and rage, Archer embarks on a one-man crusade to track down and eliminate those responsible, wading through a world of underworld violence and corruption. Van Damme brings a brooding intensity to the role, showcasing his dramatic chops as well as his well-known martial arts skills in a series of thrilling fight sequences.
Director Philippe Martinez maintains a breakneck pace, thrusting the audience into a dark, gritty atmosphere as Archer ruthlessly dispatches one criminal after another in his quest for vengeance. The supporting cast, including Simon Yam as the ominous crime boss, provide capable foils to Van Damme's one-man army.
While the narrative hits familiar beats for the genre, "Wake of Death" distinguishes itself through its uncompromising brutality and the sheer ferocity of Van Damme's performance. For fans of no-holds-barred action cinema, this film delivers a satisfying dose of punishment dished out by a man with nothing left to lose.
A Gritty Revenge Tale That Hits Hard
(Updated: January 04, 2025)
Overall rating
3.0
Entertainment Factor
3.0
Story
3.0
Actors Performance
3.0
Cinematography
3.0
Sound Track
3.0
"Wake of Death," directed by Philippe Martinez, is a gritty and relentless action film that delivers a raw punch with its no-nonsense approach to the revenge genre. Jean-Claude Van Damme stars as Ben Archer, a former cop seeking vengeance after his wife is murdered by a gang of human traffickers. The film plunges into dark and violent territory, with Van Damme's performance carrying a certain intensity that fans of action cinema will appreciate.
The narrative is straightforward but effective. Archer's journey from a grieving husband to a relentless avenger is fueled by a primal drive that Van Damme portrays with a mix of vulnerability and brute force. The plot is familiar—vengeance, violence, and redemption—but it’s the execution that sets it apart. The action sequences are well-choreographed and satisfyingly brutal, showcasing Van Damme's martial arts prowess.
While the film does tread familiar ground, its commitment to the rawness of its subject matter adds a layer of authenticity to its depiction of crime and revenge. The cinematography supports the grim tone with its dark, gritty visuals, making the underworld feel as oppressive and menacing as it should.
"Wake of Death" is not without its flaws; the story can sometimes feel formulaic, and character development is secondary to the action. However, for those who appreciate a good, hard-hitting revenge thriller, this film delivers. It’s a testament to Van Damme's enduring appeal and his ability to anchor a film with both physicality and emotion.
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