I'm not too surprised actually, I've thought for ages that he's been honestly underused. Alas, I think his accent has been a hinderance to his perceived acting skills because in one of the mad, mad movies where he plays two main roles (Replicant: a serial killer and his government-grown clone!) and one of those roles is almost mute, I kept thinking to myself "no, see, that really was good. I knew it!". That jibes with your mention of subtitling at least.
I'm so glad you reminded me about JCVD! And that I have a recommendation for it now even. Thanks!