"Cyborg" is actually passable stuff if you watch it in the right frame of mind (and that thought occurred to me only in the SECOND viewing); if you're expecting a movie made with artistry and professionalism or anything resembling class, you're in for a disappointment. But if you know that this is only supposed to be a low-grade showcase for Van Damme's rather impressive kickboxing skills, then you may like it a little. It IS primitive filmmaking, but a bit more elaborately staged than other Cannon releases (for example, the Bronson vehicles of the 80s). (**)

Van Damme goes the Mad Max route in this unthinking, low budget rip-off of the futuristic film craze of the early '80s. However, the futuristic setting here is merely a backdrop for some ruined buildings for Van Damme to fight the baddies in, and a chance for some really odd costumes and fashions (once again, the MAD MAX films are a definite influence).

Unfortunately, this turns out to be one of Van Damme's lesser '80ss films, mainly due to the simple lack of plot, special effects or stylised fight scenes. Indeed, there is still some fun to be had from watching Van Damme take on multiple opponents in a variety of settings (a marsh, a deserted building, a town square flooded with rain),but these fun fight scenes are not quite as inspired as they should be, and not nearly violent enough, bearing in mind this was heavily cut in the UK.

I don't think Van Damme had really got the hang of acting this early on in his career, and his accent is very thick, and the poor sound quality merely makes it harder to hear what's going on. Not that it's very memorable. A rather dull and talentless group of performers fill out the cast, with the female lead stripping off and doing little else, the group of bad guys merely grunting and shouting incessantly, and making zero sense (also making the script writer look infantile),and the main bad guy having bright blue eyes but little acting ability.

To add insult to injury, the cyborg only appears briefly in the film at the beginning, in a flurry of stop-motion animation which really deserved more screen time but comes across looking rushed and unrealistic. CYBORG is definitely uninspired, but on a plus point it is the only film where you'll see Van Damme get crucified. Oh, and watch for the incredible wounds which heal within minutes. This almost qualifies for so-bad-it's-good entertainment, with 'almost' being the operative word here.

Pearl Prophet is trying to escape a band of pirates. She is a cyborg carrying valuable information to the doctors in Atlanta looking for a cure to the plague. Gibson Rickenbacker (Jean-Claude Van Damme) is a mercenary or a slinger who temporarily rescues her. Pearl is quickly captured by Fender's gang. Fender intends to go to Atlanta with Pearl as his hostage. The pirates kill for a boat. Gibson follows them on the road and is joined by Nady Simmons.

It's a second rate action B-movie. The production, the acting and the script are all lower quality. There isn't much to recommend other than Van Damme in this post apocalyptic world. Its best hope is for great action but it's not filmed that well. It still has Van Damme kicking and possibly has some campy cult value. It doesn't have much more.