Kickboxer Dance/Fight Scene

Sure the dancing/fight scene in Kickboxer is entertaining as all hell but it actually serves several key purposes.

First and foremost it’s training.  Kurt (Van Damme) could always do with some sparring but this way the guy you fight doesn’t hold back and actually wants to hurt you.

Second, it’s a test.  This is probably the primary reason for this unorthodox training technique.  Xian Chow (the trainer) wants to know how far along Kurt is and a drunk fight is just the ticket.  You see, by being drunk Kurt can’t think on his feet which means he reverts back to instinct and muscle memory.  It’s a way to see how much Kurt has absorbed and internalized his training.  If he gets the shit kicked out of him then he needs more work but if he’s the one taking scumbags down then he’s ready.

The way that Chow has Kurt antagonize the fight is a little odd but pretty clever.  Of course having Van Damme groove and then kick people to some 80’s up-tempo rock tune is purely in the name of entertainment.  I mean how else are you gonna work all that into your kickboxing film?  But Xian needs to have Kurt fight these henchmen to show their boss that Kurt’s a force to be reckoned with.  Having a drunk Kurt dance (very happily (and somewhat sexily?)) with the bad guy’s girls allows a situation to develop organically.  Chow plays on jealousy and contempt to get the desired outcome. 

Third, Xian uses this opportunity to set up an official fight.  Because Kurt had no problem taking out some of the bad guy’s thugs our villain can’t deny that a match must be drawn up.  This advances the story and eventually leads to the final showdown between Kurt Sloane and Tong Po.

Admittedly this scene is in contention for being the best part of the movie (the end battle is pretty damn cool too) but it’s also an important one.  It wouldn’t be right to laugh it off as just “look at how bad Van Damme dances, man he looks like a goofy motherfucker.  What an embarrassing tool.”  Ok, there’s a little of that but keep in mind that he’s supposed to be fucking hammered and really it’s a totally necessary part of the picture.

And did anyone else think that Xian having Kurt pedal him home on a bike while he’s still drunk was kinda funny but also kinda mean?  But hey I guess that’s good training.