Review of Hard Target (1993) by Tyler R — 12 Nov 2008
Among action films, this is one when you're searching for one that's driven solely by hate for a villain that's more twisted than a bread wrapper. Fouchon and Van Cleef, in their game of selecting war veterans for hunting out of pure sport. It's something of a cross between Roth Braun and Slater from "Obsessed" and "Thr3e" by Ted Dekker.
Nothing terribly special; Van Damme's greaser Kentucky waterfall wouldn't have been missed. Mel Gibson still was sporting one in "Lethal Weapon 3," so we can't be entirely surprised. The fighting scenes were good, but the acting still is... lacking. Wilford Brimley does some nice work as Uncle Douvee-I've always wanted to see him do SOMETHING, so for an introduction to his pictures, this was actually a nice one. He does a convincing job as slightly kooky Cajun man who spends a bit too much time distilling white lightning.
John Woo adds some nice touches with his usual over-the-top special effects. The gunfights are, as expected in his pictures, completely over the top. Any random objects either jump, release sparks, or explode in a spectacular fashion. Like in "Hardboiled," he seems to have a thing for guys with automatic weapons on motorcycles.
Like I said, it's some fun when you're itchy for a bit of fighting both with fisticuffs and firearms. This one will deliver both.
This review of Hard Target (1993) was written by Tyler R on 12 Nov 2008.
Hard Target has generally received positive reviews.
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