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Well, it's been on telly every night for the past 6 months, I might as well give it a go...
Review #135: Hard Target
Chance Boudreaux is an out of work Merchant Marine in New Orleans, he's in debt with his employers and life is looking pretty dull. When Natasha Binder comes into danger from a bunch of muggers, he helps her out by dishing out his particular form of punishment to the apparent toughguys.
She hires him and his expertise to help her find her Father who has been living rough on the streets and along the way, the two expose an organisation that forces homeless people into a game of death, where the homeless are hunted by sadistic killers, simply for sport...
... and their nosing around makes them the next target for these Hunters and Chance must do everything he can, to become as Hard a Target as possible.
One of Van Damme's cheesiest best, brings the viewer an explosive and action packed turn of events.
The screenplay is a bit dodgy, a lot of it is very simplistic, but having John Woo behind the camera and produced in part by Sam Raimi, the film excels in stylish action scenes and the trademark Slow Motion John Woo fights and motorbike chases.
The cheesy side of things, as usual, comes from Van Damme's acting and screen presence. Having the camera focus close up on his eyes, the women find him irresistable, and at one point showing how tough he is by actually punching a rattlesnake and biting off its tail.
He's also, apparently, that good, he can ride a motorbike like a surfboard.
The action really is what it's all about though. Woo's direction is as usual with Woo... absolutely spellbinding.
It's loud, proud, explosive and full of wonderful stylised highkicks and chases, including baddies in helicopters chasing the good guys who are on horseback.
The acting though, especially from Jean-Claude Van Plank is cheesy and wooden but you get the feeling that The Plank knows he's being this way, which adds an element of fun to his character.
Yancy Butler as Natasha is a bit hit and miss. She's good at being the little lost girl... probably due to the fact that she is lost as an actress.
Lance Henriksen and Arnold Vosloo make the best shows though as the main duo of antagonists. Their chemistry on-screen is fantastic and Vosloo is really menacing. Henriksen in particular won a Saturn Award for his role in the film.
Wilford A Brimley makes a nice show as Van Damme's Uncle too.
All in all... a serious no-brainer that actually has an element of plot behind it. The action and effects are tip top and Van Damme is close to being at his cheesiest best.
Woo's direction though is fantastic. Definitely worth a night in with a few beers.
My rating 78%
Review #135: Hard Target
Chance Boudreaux is an out of work Merchant Marine in New Orleans, he's in debt with his employers and life is looking pretty dull. When Natasha Binder comes into danger from a bunch of muggers, he helps her out by dishing out his particular form of punishment to the apparent toughguys.
She hires him and his expertise to help her find her Father who has been living rough on the streets and along the way, the two expose an organisation that forces homeless people into a game of death, where the homeless are hunted by sadistic killers, simply for sport...
... and their nosing around makes them the next target for these Hunters and Chance must do everything he can, to become as Hard a Target as possible.
One of Van Damme's cheesiest best, brings the viewer an explosive and action packed turn of events.
The screenplay is a bit dodgy, a lot of it is very simplistic, but having John Woo behind the camera and produced in part by Sam Raimi, the film excels in stylish action scenes and the trademark Slow Motion John Woo fights and motorbike chases.
The cheesy side of things, as usual, comes from Van Damme's acting and screen presence. Having the camera focus close up on his eyes, the women find him irresistable, and at one point showing how tough he is by actually punching a rattlesnake and biting off its tail.
He's also, apparently, that good, he can ride a motorbike like a surfboard.
The action really is what it's all about though. Woo's direction is as usual with Woo... absolutely spellbinding.
It's loud, proud, explosive and full of wonderful stylised highkicks and chases, including baddies in helicopters chasing the good guys who are on horseback.
The acting though, especially from Jean-Claude Van Plank is cheesy and wooden but you get the feeling that The Plank knows he's being this way, which adds an element of fun to his character.
Yancy Butler as Natasha is a bit hit and miss. She's good at being the little lost girl... probably due to the fact that she is lost as an actress.
Lance Henriksen and Arnold Vosloo make the best shows though as the main duo of antagonists. Their chemistry on-screen is fantastic and Vosloo is really menacing. Henriksen in particular won a Saturn Award for his role in the film.
Wilford A Brimley makes a nice show as Van Damme's Uncle too.
All in all... a serious no-brainer that actually has an element of plot behind it. The action and effects are tip top and Van Damme is close to being at his cheesiest best.
Woo's direction though is fantastic. Definitely worth a night in with a few beers.
My rating 78%
