Jun
30
In the battle of the martial arts cinema stars one has to wonder who is better, Jean Claude Van Damme or Steven Seagal. They each have obvious talents, and they each have areas where they have…less talent. So let’s match them up and see who’s better.
In judging who is the better martial artist is, Jean Claude likes to kick chins, can do the splits, has lots of big muscles. For his part, Steven Seagal is a real sixth degree in the art of Aikido. Judging by the technique thy display on film, I would have to give the edge to Seagal.
As to which is the better actor, I actually think that Van Damm has the edge. Van Damme plays a variety of characters, always trying to adapt to different roles. Seagal, on the other hand, is always Seagal, he lays in wait, then bullies his way to victory just because he is so bad.
When it comes to aging on the screen, I would have to say Van Damme is the winner. Seagal, I have to say it, looks out of shape. Those bad coats, for which he is famous, don’t really cover up his belly.
Van Damme looks like he ages better when it comes to real life, too. His martial arts actually seem to be improving as he gets older. He does more than just the splits and punch. and he actually shows a it of techniques now and then.
Now we come to the all important question of who makes the better movies. Van Damme has put out a couple of classic movies with Kick Boxer and Bloodsport, but Seagal, at least for his first few movie, really had Hollywood behind him. I think I might, in spite of his last few flicks, give the edge to Seagal, though if you threatened me with a karate chop I’d give up pretty quick.
Which has more charisma, I think has to be Seagal. He had charisma in the beginning, and, though his last movies have spiraled down into the dump heap, he still has a certain amount of screen presence. If he’d stop producing, directing, writing, playing the music for, singing in, being the gaffer and the cameraman and the boom operator and everything else, and get off his self image, he might shine again.
So, I hope you don’t think I’m doing the weasal, I think they tie. And, let’s face it, though I am poking a bit of fun with them, they both have offered moviedom some fun and unique perspectives on the martial arts. So let’s ignore their foibles and cook up a mess of popcorn, with lots of butter, and enjoy them.
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