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The Quest

Play trailer Poster for The Quest PG-13 1996 1h 33m Action Play Trailer Watchlist
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14% Tomatometer 21 Reviews 36% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
In the slums of New York City during the 1920s, petty thief Chris Dubois (Jean-Claude Van Damme) finds himself on the run from the police. At the docks, he hides on an outbound freight ship leaving for Asia. Taken in by the mysterious Lord Dobbs (Roger Moore) as the boat docks in Thailand, Dubois is introduced to the underground world of martial arts fighting. His training culminates in a secret battle between the world's greatest fighters that takes place before a select audience in Tibet.
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The Quest

The Quest

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Critics Consensus

Jean-Claude Van Damme makes a forgettable directorial debut with The Quest, a bland retread of better heroes' journeys.

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Critics Reviews

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Mick LaSalle San Francisco Chronicle At its best in its first half, when Dubois has to find his way to the competition in the Lost City of Tibet. Rated: 3/4 Jun 18, 2002 Full Review Kevin Thomas Los Angeles Times With the same grace and discipline that he displays in front of the camera, Jean-Claude Van Damme makes a socko directorial debut. Rated: 3.5/5 Feb 21, 2001 Full Review Janet Maslin New York Times Interesting only for being so totally familiar, even if you've never seen another film about a Ghan-Gheng martial-arts match in an ancient Lost City in Tibet. Rated: 1.5/5 Jan 1, 2000 Full Review Kevin Carr 7M Pictures I rushed to finish this movie so I didn't get a late fee. Rated: 2/5 Sep 14, 2005 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: 1/5 Jun 19, 2005 Full Review Jules Brenner Cinema Signals Rated: 2/5 Mar 15, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Matt S Cinematic masterpiece. No holes in the plot line, acting was first class. How did this not win 6 Oscars Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/03/24 Full Review Luca D "The Quest" is undoubtedly the best Jean Claude Van Damme movie I've ever seen. Compared to this film, other great titles like "Kickboxer" or "Bloodsport" simply pale in comparison, as "The Quest" ascends to an entirely new level of complexity. At its core is a significant story—an epic hero's journey that profoundly changes the main character. He undergoes a myriad of trials, growing emotionally and personally until he becomes the great man we see at the beginning of the film; indeed, the entire story unfolds through an extended flashback. The characters are almost all memorable, especially the two buccaneers, embodying the classic cunning duo of the cat and the fox. Dobs is a wonderfully flawed character who, despite appearances, undergoes a profound transformation during the movie. The theme of the journey—a long adventure in exotic locales—is rendered in a memorable way, and the backstory of Christopher Dubois is genuinely moving. The final martial arts tournament is a steroid-enhanced version of what you see in "Bloodsport," and the ultimate villain is terrifying—a warrior of unimaginable power, might, and strength, with a truly insane costume. The nations are represented magnificently, like watching the fighting game of my dreams come to life. This film is a crescendo of emotions, with stunning costumes and cinematography. The soundtrack is the best I've ever heard in a Van Damme martial arts film, easily on par with "Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story." I highly recommend this spectacular film. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/09/24 Full Review Scott T I thought this was one of his best movies, like the tournament fights and everything. The story was good. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/11/24 Full Review Carlos T Minha opinião: Depois da explosão de "O Grande Dragão Branco" de 1988, Van damme tenta a receita outras 3 vezes pelo menos e sem a gloria ou superação de Dragão Branco. Foram Kickboxer 89, O Lutador sem Lei 90, e este Desafio Mortal 96. A grande novidade aqui é a presença do eterno 007 Roger Moore, que aqui faz o papel de um tranbiqueiro disfarçado de lord inglês. Aqui Van faz o papel de um pobre que cuida de um grupo de crianças que fazem roubos em NY. E para não ser preso ele foge, pelo menos aqui não foi da legião estrangeira. E foge de navio que vai parar na Asia, região da Thailandia. E la acaba vendido (enganado pelo lord) e fica na ilha onde aprimora sua luta com muay thai. E descobre que haverá um torneio com os maiores lutadores do planeta da Cidade Perdida e que o prêmio para o campeão é um dragão em ouro. E assim eles se infiltram, uma estoria já conhecida. As lutas são fracas, com pouca coreografia e um jogo de câmeras ruim. Não sei como conseguem depois de ter uma receita de sucesso "cagar" em outro filme que é uma copia. Aqui trazem uma variedade de estilo de lutas, mas quando parece forçado. Lembra até as lutas de Street Fighter ou Mortal Kombat. Uma pena, quem sabe não pensem em fazer um reboot de Dragão Branco, claro sem o Van mas ele sendo um mestre como Rock com Creed. A parte mais ilaria é Moore. Roteiro e enredo já conhecidos, mas executados de forma fraca. Vale apena assistir? Se já assistiu Dragão Branco, não perca tempo. Nota: 4 Rated 2 out of 5 stars 06/29/23 Full Review Audience Member A very underrated gem. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/17/23 Full Review derek l Although the Quest shared a somewhat concept to Bloodsport, that even the story fell rather flat. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Quest

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The Quest

The Quest: Official Clip - Blimp Heist The Quest: Official Clip - Blimp Heist 2:37 The Quest: Official Clip - Pummeled By Khan The Quest: Official Clip - Pummeled By Khan 1:02 The Quest: Official Clip - Pirate Battle The Quest: Official Clip - Pirate Battle 2:32 The Quest: Official Clip - United States vs. Spain The Quest: Official Clip - United States vs. Spain 1:53 The Quest: Official Clip - Chris Defeats Khan The Quest: Official Clip - Chris Defeats Khan 2:28 The Quest: Official Clip - Mongolian Backbreaker The Quest: Official Clip - Mongolian Backbreaker 2:42 The Quest: Official Clip - First Round Fight The Quest: Official Clip - First Round Fight 2:27 The Quest: Official Clip - The Final Fight Begins The Quest: Official Clip - The Final Fight Begins 2:46 The Quest: Official Clip - Clown vs. Cops The Quest: Official Clip - Clown vs. Cops 1:51 The Quest: Official Clip - Underground Fight The Quest: Official Clip - Underground Fight 2:34 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis In the slums of New York City during the 1920s, petty thief Chris Dubois (Jean-Claude Van Damme) finds himself on the run from the police. At the docks, he hides on an outbound freight ship leaving for Asia. Taken in by the mysterious Lord Dobbs (Roger Moore) as the boat docks in Thailand, Dubois is introduced to the underground world of martial arts fighting. His training culminates in a secret battle between the world's greatest fighters that takes place before a select audience in Tibet.
Director
Jean-Claude Van Damme
Producer
Moshe Diamant
Screenwriter
Frank Dux
Production Co
Signature Pictures
Rating
PG-13
Genre
Action
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
May 7, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$21.6M
Runtime
1h 33m
Sound Mix
Surround, Stereo
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