Review of Hard Target (1993) by Joe A — 11 Aug 2012

"Hard Target" was the American film premiere of Asian action director John Woo and while it's not one of his best movies, it is one of the best films of it's star Jean-Claude Van Damme. The plot is basically a retread of sorts of "The Most Dangerous Game" with a sinister organization run by Lance Henriksen that provides the rich and powerful with hunting expeditions where the prey are homeless ex-military men. When they set up camp in New Orleans, the daughter of one of their victims comes investigating and hires down on his luck merchant seaman, Chance Boudreaux (Van Damme) to help her find her father. Now tasked with eliminating the young woman, the organization must also deal with Chance, who turns the hunters into the hunted. While the film is simplistic in plot and not heavy with character development (something Woo is usually good with), it does have some great signature Woo action scenes and Van Damme's balletic kicks and leaps have never been filmed better. It's a fast paced and cartoonish action flick that really entertains as long as you're not looking for anything but, a lot of blood, bullets and explosions. Woo orchestrates the action with the ferocity that he is well known for and utilizes some stunning use of slow motion as is his trade mark. The film has lots of flaws (like Van Damme's stunt double being very obvious as he bares little resemblance to the Muscles From Brussels.) but, is loads of fun and features a truely great villainous turn by the veteran Henriksen who creates a strong character despite the thin script.

EXTRA TRIVIA:

1) Woo apparently went with studio choice Van Damme after his first choice, Kurt Russell, was busy.

2) In typical Hollywood fashion, the studio was nervous about using the Chinese director and hired Sam Raimi to oversee the production and take over if Woo couldn't pull it off. Safe to say Woo did fine and Raimi had the opportunity to watch the master in action.

3) Not only did Woo clash numerous times with the MPAA over the film to get an R rating but, clashed with Van Damme as well who was unhappy with the focus of the film not being even more on him. Allegedly Van Damme hired his own editor and had his own edit made where entire characters were removed so there could be more focus on it's star. Ego much?