Timecop (1994)

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This week on Catching Up On Cinema, Kyle and Trevor review Peter Hyams', Timecop (1994)!

A time travel action thriller from director Peter Hyams, Timecop (1994) is often thought of as Jean-Claude Van Damme's most profitable film, released in what would go on to be a very successful year for “The Muscles from Brussels”.

Produced by Sam Raimi and Dark Horse Entertainment, Timecop is an oddly tepid action film, lacking the flair or dynamism of many of its contemporaries.

While the performances and dialogue are on point, executed and delivered with aplomb by a very capable cast of familiar faces and character actors, Van Damme himself often comes across as slightly checked out.

While director/cinematographer Hyams' signature stark production design and murky black lighting schemes are of a high degree of craftsmanship, in some ways they hamper the tone, forcing the film to be perhaps more serious than it ought to be.

Featuring some nifty CGI effects work for its vintage,Timecop generally has a high degree of polish in its presentation, however much of the action feels weightless and low stakes, with very few action beats being worthy of Van Damme's highlight reel.

A middling JCVD film that likely earned its box office success through riding the 90's wave of sci-fi “techno thrillers”, and the promise of its star's muscular buttocks being featured prominently as co-star.

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