Taken from earlier draft of a prequel or remake of 1973's 'Enter the Dragon' by martial artist, Frank Dux and rewritten by Steven Klein, Paul Mones & Jean-Claude Van Damme. The film tells the story of American pickpocket turn Thai fighter, Christopher Dubois (Jean-Claude Van Damme) entering a martial arts tournament in the mysterious "Lost City" in Tibet, in a quest to win the "Golden Dragon", a valuable statue made of solid gold, against some of the best fighters, the world has to offer. Without spoiling the movie also directed by Jean-Claude Van Damme; as much as other critics might hate this movie for resemblance too much on the same premise of having a Kumite like tournament, like Van Damme's previous hit, 1988's 'Bloodsport'. I found this movie to a lot of fun to watch, because it showcase a lot of unique fighting styles from around the world. After all, where else, would you see a movie where a Brazilian Capoeira fighter (César Carneiro) take on a Chinese drunken animalistic style fighter (Peter Wong)! I don't even, mind the director using cartoony sound effects and slow moments to show, how power, the fighter's hits were. These fights are the best part of the movie, besides the music by composer, Randy Edelman. My problem with the movie is how long, it takes for the tournament part to be established. The pacing is driven in a snail pace. It takes forever to establish anything. In this movie's timeline; it takes 6 months for the fight to start. Honestly, do we really need the scenes of old man, Chris fight thugs in the bars!? The film starts with old man telling his story to the bartender as a framing device, only to ends with a completely different one with a book being closed. Where did the hell, did that come from!? Also, did the audience really the Oliver Twist opening with the kids!? It's not like the film shows what happen to them!? Better, what was the point of the pirates of the South China Sea moment with mercenary Englishman, Lord Edgar Dobbs (Roger Moore) & his assistant, Harry Smythe (Jack McGee)!? I guess, it's supposed to show, Christopher's attitude toward 'stealing' throughout his life & his quest for rebirth as a man, by fighting for honor. However, that message, get drag down by the revenge subplot in which, one of the fighters kills a friend of Chris in the tournament. Not only that; but the dive subplot, established later in the film doesn't make sense, since Chris would get hurt, regardless. Because of that, I found the film to deliver a mixed message. It really hurt the film, as a whole. Another thing that damages the movie is the lack of historic & geography research. It bug me, when I saw that the film shows Okinawa and Korea, as a separate country, when in truth, by 1920, both were already, part of Imperial Japan. The same with Scotland, which in fact, was part of the United Kingdom, and Mongolia & Russia was part of the Soviet Union. In fact, the movie makes a big goof, when they introduce, the continent of Africa as a country. I don't think, the filmmakers care. Because they didn't even bother, correcting scenes like the Spanish fighter (Pete Malota),have an Albanian flag embodied in his belt. It's so lazy, and jarring. Also, how weird, for the fighters to dress up, in their stereotypical cultural garments? I don't mind it, but it's a bit weird to see, a man try to fight with his balls, hanging out, with a knit. Also, what is with them, fighting in a supposedly lost city in Tibet!? Isn't that country known, for its peaceful ways of living life!? After all, the most-friendly religious leader in the world, the Dalai Lama, once lived there. That's really bizarre, just as much, as how a Belgian sounding American from the Empire States doesn't have a New Yorker accent. Don't get me wrong, Jean Van Damme is fine in the movie, during the action scenes, but his acting chops is below average, big time. Regardless of the main actor's performance, the supporting cast did pick up the slack, with Roger Moore holding the project, together, when the fight scenes isn't going on. His performance in this film was very charming, even if Moore, himself, says, that he hates this movie. So mad props to him. Also, how cool was it to see James Numar in a minor roles, as American boxer, Maxine Devine. His presence in the film, was a blast to watch, along with Janet Gunn, as news writer, Carrie Newton. I also have to praised, the movie's beautiful production design. Lots of amazing scene, wonderfully filmed in Thailand. Overall: Even with its flaws, it's entertaining enough for the movie to be still worth fighting for. While, it might not be the best martial arts movie, out there. I still highly recommended seeing 'The Quest' for how goofy, it is.

For a Jean Claude Van Damme movie, then "The Quest" is a fairly standard one. And if you have seen the 1988 "Bloodsport" movie, then you have essentially also seen "The Quest". And I don't think that it is a mere coincidence, especially since the story was written by Frank Dux and Jean Claude Van Damme.

The story is about Christopher Dubois (played by Jean-Claude Van Damme) who is living on the streets, when he is forced to run for his life and ending up as a stowaway on a ship. When he comes to his senses, he is put into slavery, working on the ship. By sheer luck he is rescued by Lord Edgar Dobbs (played by Roger Moore) and Harry Smythe (played by Jack McGee),two thieves and con artists. Setting out to steal a massive golden dragon in a reclusive and secret fighting tournament, Christoper Dubois finds himself fighting on behalf of the boxer Maxie Devine (played by James Remar).

Storywise, then "The Quest" focused more on the fights and action. And as in "Bloodsport", then there is lots of it, and the fight sequences are nicely executed and brought to the screen. The movie itself is as predictable as they come - but then again, aren't most of Jean Claude Van Damme's movies?

There are so many similarities between "Bloodsport" and "The Quest", that you just sit there wondering why "The Quest" was actually ever put on film. Wasn't it enough with this story being told in 1988 back when "Bloodsport" came out? But as with virtually all of Jean Claude Van Damme's movies, the main focus is the action and fighting, and whatever story or resemblance of a story there is becomes secondary. Obviously you have the fighting tournament held in an exotic location, there was the bested friend of whom Van Damme takes a headband, there was a woman reporter, there was a massive and seemingly invincible opponent, and of course there is Jean Claude Van Damme as the underdog who swoops in and wins it all against all odds.

That being said, then "The Quest" is good entertainment where you don't have to use your brain at all. Funny, how I remembered this movie being much better back in the late 90's, when I remember my brother getting it on VHS. And after having obtained the DVD in 2013 and watched it again, it wasn't as cool as I remembered it to be. But still, fun and action-packed, a fairly standard Jean Claude Van Damme movie to be honest.

This disappointing Van Damme vehicle plays like one of his late '80s flicks - you know, the martial art tournament and everything - but without the graphic violence. Yes, there's not much of a plot on show here, and it seems to take an inordinate amount of time for the characters to actually reach the mythic tournament, which doesn't happen until the hour mark. Until we're introduced to one silly situation after another and meets lots of pointless characters who don't actually appear to be in the film for any reason whatsoever (take the female reporter, whose role could have been written out with ease).

Van Damme also serves as director on this film, so we get to see just how much he thinks of himself when he indulges in all manner of "helicopter kicks" and other athletic manoeuvres. To be fair, Van Damme isn't particularly bad as a director, but not particularly inspired either - he choreographs the fight scenes well, but doesn't seem to understand how to make the camera warm to the people on screen. He just sits back and watches and doesn't really take part.

Rated as a lenient PG-13 in America, this still managed to get a (cut) 18 certificate here in the UK. It's hard to see why, as the violence isn't much worse than in something like STREET FIGHTER and there are only a couple of nasty bone-snapping moments. The fight scenes are still highly enjoyable and exciting, especially the final battle between Van Damme and the Mongol (incidentally played by his chief opponent in A.W.O.L., this time the actor just looks like he's copying the looks of the bad guy from KICKBOXER). Van Damme looks the part, with his buzz haircut and string bandanna, but his acting is as awful as ever. At least we have the cult appeal of Roger Moore on board, playing a pirate who shamelessly introduces himself as "Dobbs...Lord Dobbs". Moore seemingly hasn't aged in the last twenty years and is fun to watch. There are a lot more entertaining Van Damme flicks out there in the sea though, so give this one a miss unless you catch it on the telly.