As much as I admire MJW, Welcome to Sudden Death was horrible. This is the worst movie I’ve seen this year.

I am a huge Jean-Claude Van Damme fan, and I absolutely loved his original movie Sudden Death!! He is a true icon to me!! I love this channel so much!!

If I remember rightly, Bruce turned down the original film because it would have been like Die Hard on ice. Really good performance from JCVD in this, and I felt it was his first being an actual actor, rather than just an action star. One of his best I think.

Van Damme films had heart. Sudden Death is a classic for me. Saw it with my old man. Micheals film is awful. I could only make it 10 mins in.

Jean claude van damme sudden death is a classic they cannot duplicate it they cannot replace van damme no matter what

"Welcome to Sudden Death" was beyond horrible, except for some fight scenes.

Out of all the Die Hard clones Sudden Death is my favorite, everything is perfect in it

I'm also a huge JCVD fan. Once I saw the trailer for this "remake" I knew it was crap.

The remake is absolutely horrible, I like MJW he is a incredible martial artist but Van Damme is actually a much better actor, the fights in the new film are terribly shot and very staged looking, the tone and the acting is just bad, I’m sorry, I wanted to like this but this makes the original look like a masterpiece by comparison

Loved the new one but Van Dammes was way better!

Geez Idk why my generations are so obsessed about remaking movies and replacing the actors with black person or other race. Im black and even I honestly don't get it. Sudden death to me is one of my favorites from Van Damme. The tone honestly felt different compared to say Double Impact but that's what I honestly love about the film. His acting in that movie is honestly one of the best I've seen around that time. I really felt his character and trying to protect everyone in that ring along with his kids. Power's Boothe was a great villain too. Honestly Sudden death is way better than Welcome to Sudden death in a lot of ways.

There's no comparison this 2020 version sucked!

I appreciate your struggle and willingness to remain positive in spite of the material you’re covering. “Inconsistent” defines this movie to a tee. There is obvious talent on display, yet muddled by a juvenile tone interspersed with pretty brutal action. Mrs. White’s suicide scene is a prime example.

I just rewatched Sudden Death like 3 weeks ago, the first movie I watched this year, at least, in one sitting. Why? Cause when I saw it in 1999 I was at the height of my Van Damme-mania and it's first one of his I saw where he wasn't really doing "Van Damme". I watched it almost everyday on VHS with Hard-boiled back then, it was fun. I rewinded the shit out of the "Sudden Death" scene where a distraught JCVD glanced with horror as his time ran down and I heaved a sign of relief, like him when he got that extra time. It's the little dramas in movies like this I enjoy, the raw suspense. Van Damme, acted the heck out of that version. I was aware of the new version last week when I saw Scott Mendelsons article and I was like "No way a remake can outclass the original" and I just cancelled my Netflix already because of the Cuties nonsense, so I can't judge but your video gave light I didn't miss much. But you can't beat the 90s epicness of the original and Power Boothe (RIP) performance.

As much as I like MJW, Welcome to Sudden Death cant compare to the Original. JCVD charisma cant be matched.

It’s no blood and bone, that is Michael Jai White’s best movie

It took me two attempts to truly appreciate the original Sudden Death. When I first watched it at the cinema in the mid 90s, I just saw it as another Die Hard ripoff with some cheesy dialogue and OTT action scenes, but when I watched it again on DVD (probably 5 years later) I really loved its cheesiness and Powers Boothe as the slick, no-nonsense villain. It's now in my top 5 Van Damme films! Also, if you haven't seen it, I recommend watching Final Score (2017), starring Dave Bautista and Pierce Brosnan - it's basically Sudden Death, but with football (soccer). There are many scenes lifted straight from Sudden Death, it might as well be an unofficial sequel. Worth a watch if you like Dave Bautista kicking ass and saving the day, set around a British football backdrop. It's shocking how similar they are!

don't forget that mjw was the first black man to play a superhero lead on screen with spawn back in 1997

Jean Claude is much More charismatic than mjw, original sudden death is a must movie for van Damme collection

Should have been called "Overtime" instead since its basketball lol. Loved the vid as always. Keep up the amazing work!

"Sudden Death" was a one of many copies from "Die Hard" franchise after a big sucess in box offices around the world. Also at that time Van Damme stills a big star on Hollywood and movies like "Timecop" and "Hard Target" made him a respect name with studios. The director Peter Hyans work well with JCVD and his performance as a tragic fireman Darren Mccord its solid. But like you said "Sudden Death" is much moore a serious thriller and not a martial arts movie like the Van Damme fans were used.

MJW talk rubbish about JCVD and now he's copying JCVD JCVD is always better than MJW

The original was awesome. But it took some growing up to realize that. Getting to the age when movies based just on kicks and punches alone are no longer enough, - and you want to see interesting characters, good script, acting and occasionally even something to think about, - "Sudden Death" is right up there. And while Van Damme was great (particularly the moment with the rocking chair joke and the knee / headbutt combo), the real star of the movie is Powers Booth. He has a lot of screen time and he just steals the show with his acting. His confident monologues, various dialogues and the surprising back-and-forths with the little girl - are a great watch and extremely entertaining. What could go wrong with MJW? Scale, budget, attitude, cinematography and cast. Even the fight scenes. Basically, a difference between a lost-in-transition student-level B-movie and an A-rate action thriller.

You really nailed it. The remake was so bloody inconsistent, and had no impact stuff to it. As much as it pains me to say it, the humour and distortion is almost as Bad as the disgrace that is Ghostbuster2016. Its full blown diarrhea. Aarrhhhhhhh..... But yeah, the original really had a strong core and the late POWERS BOOTHE (awesome name) really played an excellent villan that keeps you on the edge, the rest of the original supporting cast was good too. That fight against the Penguin Mascot terrorist was GOLD. Cant wait for a COBRA video.

Peter Hyams is actually a great director and cinematographer, very experienced as you say. If you want a masterclass in beautiful lighting and staging watch his film Star Chamber with Michael Douglas (1983). Not a martial arts movie but a great underrated film nonetheless. Sudden Death wasn't one of my fave JC films but it was entertaining with great cinematic lighting and good editing. I haven't seen this new one but from the clips you show it looks like it was shot on someone's phone. MJ White deserves better.

All you need is a good story/script, good actors with a good director.

I’m from Pittsburgh and the fact that the Penguins were in this movie made it even cooler

That explains why I only watched a few minutes of this remake

I remember watching both Assassin's and the original the same day , the good old days

I watched the trailer and just couldn’t do it. Glad I didn’t waste my cash.

Haha. Great review. Felt the original was underrated and works great side by side with timecop. Looked forward to the remake but even though I like MJW, this was a touch disappointing.

There is a 3rd version of "Sudden Death" film with Dave Bautista called "Final Score" (2019 This new version appears to be the same script as "Sudden Death" and "Welcome to Sudden Death" I've seen both and and "Final Score" with Bautista appears to be the best of the three. it has a more consistent tone and better credibility with the story! I do agree with your analysis of the previous two films! Final Score can be seen currently on Prime.

Your last statement made me remember how much more I liked the first Timecoo after seeing the sequel.

Sudden Death was already remade by Dave Bautista as Final Score, which was set at an English football match.

The original was very good, the remake is just a cheap cash grab. I'm so tired of remakes, don't they have script writers that can create something new? Besides most remakes stink. Excellent video Viking Samurai, very good comparison and analysis of both movies👏👌👍

I've seen the head villain in a couple of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin movies. Hunt To Kill and Tactical Force, which Jai White co-starred in.

Sudden Death was a very good movie..I just remember I wasn't happy with the use of so many stunt doubles...you can totally tell when it's JCVD and when it's not. Having a heavy like Powers Boothe and other good supporting actors is what makes a movie stand out.

I couldn't believe the original film had flopped and was out in and out of theaters after two weeks.

The article at the end is obviously advertising, like most film writing is now.. Terrible headline.

I love The originals of both sudden death and hard target but michael j white and Scott adkins are both amazing action stars I wish both their sequels were better , but we still have the originals

Oh man! I had actually forgotten about that movie. It is probably the best movie Van damme stared in that felt like a normal movie and not a martial art movie. It was a nice surprise. If Van Damme didn't ruin his career by falling into drugs, he would have been a top Hollywood action film player. Ha! Good old days. At least they happened.

Van damme has such a loyal fan base they wont have a bad word said against him ...an i love that ...good comparison man!

“So bad it’s “Derailed” Ouch that hurt 💀💀💀

The acting and everything about the MJW film sucked. That was so embarrassing i wouldn't have released it.

I just think it's cool they paid tribute to the original. you don't see that very often with films that underperform at the box office, obviously a nod to fans of Van Damme, strictly. I like Michael Jai White too, will always be Mike Tyson as far as film regards go

Love your channel man! huge martial arts fan, been watching ya vids all day lol, got a new sub!

Great analysis & comparison! Keep making these awesome vids! 👍👍

Man...I like MJW. But "Welcome to Sudden Death" stunk so bad. His wife's Martial Arts has gotten crisper though. And the fight scene with him and Marese could have been longer. Overall, it was dry and bland. Sudden Death was much better and "original".

I still remember Jai White says van Damme is not a fighter, so why he steps in his footprints right now? Sudden Death was not the best Jcvd Movie but without him it's not interesting. Jai White is a great Martial Artist and Action Actor, he needs his own Movieplots like Undisputed or Blood and Bone. Greetings to Viking Samurai.

Claude Van Damme’s movie was better

Grew up watching Van Damme and i love the fact you portray him. I kmow with out a doubt that you are a Platinum Fan. I support you in every way that I can. Gteat stuff V. Samurai. Keep doing what ya doin buddy. Yr entertaining and i play your videos practically every day. Bless Bruh 🙏

Sir I must appreciated this one. Is always nice to know that our comments are listen. Great video!

I agree with your comment on giving more chances to all races instead of relegating them to a stereotypical role. You also make a good point about a strong plot that it shouldn’t matter much if the actor was replaced with someone else. Kudos to being unafraid to speak your own mind David, keep up the good work.

Hi mate another great vid as usual Us in Australia knew nothing about ice hockey until mighty ducks and sudden death lol

Basically Welcome to Sudden Death makes Sudden Death look like a much better film.

Van Damme's old bad reviews were probably from Seagul.

Just rewatched Sudden Death, a nice detail *spoiler alert* with the corrupt secret service agent. They actually give him a reason why he stalls on attacking McCord, while in other films you'd be wandering what he's waiting for!

Maximum Risk along with Replicant and In Hell are some of fav Van Damme movies and rank in my top ten. In Hell in particular really was one of Van Dammes most serious roles and showed he could act. It was dark, and action packed.

In the original sudden death Jean Claude Van Damme when he was filming it the NHL was on strike

I am super surprised micheal jai white did this movie considering they both played in universal solider movies. I appreciate your honesty and I agree that Asian people do get the short end of the stick in acting unless its a martial art flick. I mean its down right disguising to see how many people do not realize that we all are mixed in America.

Fun fact. The school used in kindergarten cop is seen throughout the Silent hill 1 game. Great Video Bro. Haven't seen new MJW version but can surely tell JVDs is way better. JVD is the GOAT.

This video was fun good comparison. I still say I like both films.

If they had labelled it SD2, instead of trying to do a remake, I would watch it, but no.

Michael Jai Whites best movie is " BLOOD and BONE" We need more movies like this for Mike! Mike and scott Atkins are very underrated actors! They have the potential to be far better than Van damme or Steven seagal ever were! WTF HOLLYWOOD 🤨

Sudden Death was Awesome! and loving Hockey made it even better. I like Michael Jai White but have no interest in the 2nd movie. Sudden Death is supposed to be coming to 4k Blu-ray soon. If it's as good as the 4k bluray of Bloodsport then I can't wait! Nice video

The only thing I liked was the sneak in of JCVD's name. It's a blink and you'll miss it moment when MJW and Gus are unrolling blueprints. Other than that the movie just felt like it could've been background noise.

For me the MJW movie was good, not a cult classic but a simple straight forward movie," this is the good guy, this is the bad guy's " sit back and that's it. The JCVD was good since I got the VHS from my local store when I was a kid.

Michael Jai White should be one of the top action stars in the world by now.. That being said, I don't know why he is still stuck making tripe like Welcome to Sudden Death...especially with hits like Blood and Bone and Black Dynamite under his belt.

Thanks for reminding me that Hard Target 2 exists!!! I think they miscast most things in the west, for instance I think Warrior on Cinemax is ok, but why (apart from language) did they not cast Joe Taslim in the main role, he even looks a little more like Bruce Lee. I like Michael Jai White and hate to see stars with skills wasted.

Best of the best 2 is still one of my favorite martial arts movies!

JCVD's movie all the time...why would he even try to do a remake.

Great review and comparison. I share your opinion having just watched the remake last week. Michael Jae White is an accomplished actor but is relegated mostly to B level movies. Totally agree on the race casting commentary as well. Well done!

I had no idea there was a Sudden Death remake till now. I love Michael Jai White but hes no JCVD.

Excellent points you made at the end. Bit like Sigourney Weaver in Alien franchise. No one cared she was female.

15:03 pure spin from the writer of that article... This is where film criticism is at today, completely dishonest and politicized. The original Sudden Death is a very fine film, was successful (with a long successful life after its cinematic run on TV and video) and holds-up very well to this day. Even if it were a bomb, which it was not, it has at-least one truly iconic/legendary scene of modern action cinema within it. It is probably the second best Die Hard rip-off after Under Siege. The reboot looks like pure filler.

Ha ha would have never heard of Welcome To Sudden Death remake if not for your providing valuable insight ah this makes 4K UHD look bad totally agree with you awesome video keep-em coming Viking Samurai

My favorite part in the original , was towards the end. When van damme was left hanging , and the main villain Powers boothe. Both ended staring at each other in slow motion LOL!! This new movie was just bad

Some review suggestions: Timecop, MI2 (John Woo) and Under Siege 2. I actually prefer 2 because it just focuses on Seagal breaking 🦴s and doesn’t waste as much time on the plot.

You cant remake a van damme movie and get away with that easy. . . Hard target 2 was lame, welcome to the sudden death is boring with unnecesaary jokes all over the movie... what happened to MJW Trash talking Van Damme talent???,

Wow that is the first time I’ve ever heard a white man speak like you That open my eyes wow we need more people like you who speak common sense

Daaamn bro said it before and I'll say it again love ur videos.

The movie Final score with Dave Bautista was another remake of Sudden Death

One key thing to remember: hockey had a strike that year, so they had a lot of time to film at the arena. Not many movies have that luxury. Odds are good that the new one had two weeks at most with the arena. Also, just from seeing Eklund as the villain shows that the movie was filmed in Canada. I've never seen him in anything other than Canadian movies. He's also generally a henchman instead of a lead villain. If you want to see something that shows his strengths, I recommend Hunt to Kill, a Steve Austin movie. Eklund and the rest of the villains make that movie.

I love some Sudden Death love! Powers Boothe was awesome in this movie! Love your thoughts at the end 👏

I have to give you credit for watching this movie to the end. I'm a big fan of Michael Jai White, but this movie was frustrating to watch. Especially because I respected the original and more especially, because I like Michael Jai White.

MJW is one of my Inspirstions but no ways man no ways. I attend the church of hook kicks and the sermon they gave on Sudden Death spoke my soul. I stood up tears in my eyes and screamed praise be crescent moon kicks. Now tell me can you recreate such moments with our saviour Van Dam.

Let’s all be honest... Black Dynamite is MJWs best movie followed by Blood and Bone.

I used to have the sudden death hockey jersey i bought at a blockbuster

I think the real reason WELCOME TO SUDDEN DEATH was a huge failure was because someone already did a sequel or a remake to Sudden Death or at least it felt like one. Final Score 2018 with Dave Bautista Pierce Brosnan and Ray Stevenson was a surprise sleeper hit that came out a while back and surprisingly felt a lot like a remake or unofficial sequel to Sudden Death. The movie is about Dave who plays a soldier that takes his niece to a Champions League Soccer/football game in Manchester United but soon afterwards a group of international terrorist take the place hostage and are threatening to blow up the entire arena unless there demands are met. I will say that movie surprised me it had great action and excellent fight scenes and it was more serious and in my opinion better than the Jean Claude Van Sudden Death movie. If Sudden Death 2 or this remake came out earlier and had more effort put into it I believe it could been done better I mean it had good fight scenes but your right the movie sucked so bad and shouldn’t even exist. Do you agree Viking Samurai would you consider Final Score better than Sudden Death or see it as a spirited sequel or remake.

Another remake? Geez, what happened to people's creativity? 🙄. And they really ought to stay away from remaking Van Damme movies...if you've seen his version, you're already set up for disappointment, because nobody can play the character like he did! Btw, I liked The Pacifier, lol. Thanks for another great video! 🙂

There was more of a threat factor in Sudden Death; WTSD I only saw it on the strength of MJW & Marrese Crump being on the film after seeing a behind the scenes shot on their iG pages. WTSD samples the original just with a twist. My only pet peeves from the new film were the 3D guns & it was too short. I respect your opinion on WTSD but to call it Derailed; we’ll just have to agree to disagree lol.

Sudden death is one of JVCDs best movies Michael Jai White deserves better and their is no sudden death in basketball

Sudden Death is a better acted movie, way better plot. Welcome to sudden death can not be compared to Sudden Death almost seems like a parity of the original. Morris Crump is a awesome martial artist. How come we've never seen Naitive American action hero I would love to see that. Thats why love i the cartoon Brave Star.

The fight scene where MJW was whoopin ass to Cypress Hill. Best part

if a movie clocks under 90min you just know it´s going to be bad.

Michael slandered He said Jean-Claude Van Damme was just an actor and not a real fighter.

If you like the original Sudden Death and hate the new ones then pls check out First Score with David Bautista. It is Sudden Death with soccer field instead and it surprisingly good

Production's quality (camera, sound/effects, directions, performance) is what look for

I gotta admit man as much as I like Michael Jai White and his martial art skills that made me a fan.. This movie was not good it just wasn’t

16:07 These articles are nothing new. Look when Black Panther was released articles *LEGIT* said "This is the first black superhero movie" Meteor Man, Spawn, Steel & Hancock. Three of which predate it by 2 decades, Hell they acted like the entire Blade trilogy didn't exist (I'll give them the 3rd one it was God awful, check out the morgue scene where Snipes refused to open his eyes, worst CGI in the entire franchise)