‘Knock Off’ 4K UHD Review (MVD Rewind)
Stars: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Rob Schneider, Lela Rochon, Paul Sorvino, Carman Lee, Wyman Wong, Michael Wong, Glen Chin, Moses Chan, Lynne Langdon | Written by Steven E. de Souza | Directed by Tsui Hark
From the late 1980s through the early 1990s, few action stars were as popular as Jean-Claude Van Damme. A run of crowd-pleasing hits such as Bloodsport (1988), Kickboxer (1989), Universal Soldier (1992), and Timecop (1993) cemented his status as a bona fide box-office draw, with audiences flocking to see his blend of martial-arts skill and action-movie bravado.
In 1998, Van Damme teamed up with Golden Age Hong Kong cinema icon Tsui Hark for Knock Off, a film that brought together Eastern and Western action sensibilities. It’s a collaboration that has only grown in cult appeal over the years. Unsurprisingly, the MVD Rewind Collection – longtime champions of Van Damme’s back catalogue – is giving the film some well-deserved love with a deluxe 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray release of Knock Off.
Jean-Claude Van Damme (Double Impact) plays Marcus Ray, a Hong Kong fashion designer who uncovers a deadly conspiracy involving explosive micro-bombs hidden in counterfeit products. Teaming up with a covert agent (Rob Schneider, Grown-Ups), Ray must navigate the dangerous world of counterfeit fashion to stop the imminent threat and save lives.
Let’s be clear: Knock Off isn’t Jean-Claude Van Damme at his very best. The plot is messy, the narrative can be hard to follow, and the performances don’t always hit the mark. That said, one thing never wavers – Van Damme is still very much Van Damme, and he remains endlessly entertaining. In fact, it’s the film’s unapologetic cheesiness that ultimately works in its favour, elevating the experience and making Knock Off far more enjoyable than it probably has any right to be.
MVD have transferred Knock Off to 4K in 2160p and is presented in its original 2.35:1 Aspect Ratio in HDR, whilst the Blu-ray presents the movie in 1080p in the original 2.35:1 aspect ratio. The Audio track is an English DTS 5.1 Surround and an LPCM 2.0 Stereo Audio. Finally, there is the option for English Subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.
MVD didn’t simply pull an old master and press it onto a disc, far from it. Knock Off has been given a full HD restoration sourced from a 16-bit scan of the original camera negative, and the results are genuinely impressive, with the film looking better than it ever has. That pristine restoration, however, is only part of the story. MVD have also packed this two-disc set with a strong selection of bonus features, making it a release that goes well beyond a simple visual upgrade. Let’s take a look at what’s included:
DISC 1: 4K Special Features:
- Archival Audio Commentary by Action Cinema Experts Mike Leeder and Arne Venema
- Collectable Knock Off “4K LaserVision” Mini-Poster
- Reversible Cover Art
DISC 2: Blu-ray Special Features:
- Archival Audio Commentary by Action Cinema Experts Mike Leeder and Arne Venema
- NEW! Interview with Steven E. de Souza
- NEW! Interview with Moshe Diamant
- Archival 2020 interview with writer Steven E. de Souza
- Archival “Making Of: Knock Off” featurette
- Original Theatrical Trailer
From the classic Making Of featurette and the audio commentary through to the newly produced interviews, the bonus features here are a real treat. It’s a solid and satisfying package all round. That said, for me, it’s the presentation that really seals the deal. The inclusion of a mini-poster and reversible artwork adds an extra layer of appeal, elevating the release and pushing it to an even higher level.
**** 4/5
No one is ever going to claim Knock Off as the best Van Damme film (it’s my personal favourite – Editor Phil), but there is no denying the cheesy fun this film delivers. If you love Van Damme films and are looking to add Knock Off to your collection, forget about any other release and splurge on this new 4K version.
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