A very good movie, and it holds up more than 30 years later. This is the late 80s and early 90s formula at its most typical: a bit of character building, some action, and cardboard villains. I honestly didn't mind.
JCVD carries it on charisma alone. He's not asking for an Oscar, but he's easy to watch and easy to root for.
The action is sparse and saved mostly for the end, and I liked that. Because the film bothers to build things up first, the payoff feels thrilling instead of routine.
What really works is the relationship with the kids. It's shown well and never feels forced. Kieran Culkin is perfect in the role, and the chemistry between him and Van Damme is the heart of the film.
The villains are paper-thin, sure. But in this genre, that comes with the territory, and the film earns its goodwill elsewhere.
Where to watch
Tubi lists this film free with ads in the US. Netflix has matching UK and India title pages, but playback, current plan eligibility and access were not tested. A catalog listing is not a confirmed viewing offer.