Timecop (1994)

Remember the time when they really tried to make Jean-Claude Van Damme a more mainstream action hero? 

Yeah, it didn't really work out that well, did it? Alas, one should say, because the guy has charisma and skills. He's just not as large a personality as Arnold Schwarzenegger (which no one is, let's be honest) and in all fairness: not all his films are that great to start with. But 'Timecop' is a decent effort, even though I like my Van Damme more in straightforward fare like 'Bloodsport' or 'Double Impact'.

It is the near future, and time travel now actually exist. But in order to maintain balance, a police force is used to stop people from going back to the past and changing things, like get filthy, stinking rich. Van Damme is one of these officers who has unfortunately lost his wife about ten years prior. He discovers a US senator by the name of McComb is changing the past in order to become president. This cannot pass, so Van Damme heads back to try and stop this senator and maybe in the process save his wife. 

The plot is simple enough. Sure, they try to shoehorn in some heady things about changing the past and how that stuff all works, but it really doesn't matter all that much. Because if you start to think about it, everything and anything that changes in the past, only changes for the people making the changes whilst the rest have never known any different. The logistical nightmare of all this is baffling. 

Why yes, I overthink issues such as these. Don't you?

The villain is by far the weakest element in this film. Ron Silver is a decent enough actor, but he is given too little to do and he is so obviously evil right from the get-go, it's a little silly. His dialogue isn't all that praiseworthy either and consists mainly of: "Look at me, I'm evil and corrupt and I want it all." Disappointing, really. A more compellingly written villain would have made this a lot more fun. 

Some of the CG is a little off. Sure, the time travel effect is fun and fits in the whole, but the demise of the Senator (oh come on, of course he gets his comeuppance. You couldn't have expected this not to happen) looks downright horrendous. But CG is used very sparingly, because remember kids: these were the early days, when usually a computer game cutscene looked better. 

Another thing that always bothered me, is that the finale at Van Damme's house is so bloody dark and you can hardly see the action. That's pretty frustrating, considering Van Damme has the chops to do some very graceful work, but here, it is often obscured. Maybe it's because director Peter Hyams isn't known for directing action films, but still: someone should have told him that a little more light would have been helpful.

The best part of this film? Van Damme, who is always likeable and supporting actor Bruce McGill who's having a blast as chief Matuzak. He is one of those actors that usually portray police officers and you'll instantly recognize him from somewhere, even if you can't put your finger on it. 

'Timecop' tries, it really does, but it does fall a little flat, alas. Only for hardcore Van Damme-fans, and even then this is one of the lesser ones in his portfolio.