6.9 | / 10 |
Users | 4.5 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
A woman hires a drifter as her guide through New Orleans in search of her father, who has gone missing. They discover a deadly game of cat and mouse behind his disappearance in the process.
Starring: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Lance Henriksen, Yancy Butler, Wilford Brimley, Kasi LemmonsThriller | 100% |
Action | 52% |
Video codec: HEVC / H.265
Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
4K Ultra HD
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
John Woo's "Hard Target" (1993) arrives on 4K Blu-ray/Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber. The supplemental features on the release include new program with John Woo; new programs with actors Larce Henriksen and Yancy Butler; new program with stunt coordinator Billy Burton; new audio commentary recorded by critics Brandon Bentley and Mike Leeder; and remastered original trailer. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.
The drifter
Kino Lorber's release of Hard Target is a 4K Blu-ray/Blu-ray combo pack. The 4K Blu-ray and Blu-ray offer presentations of the recent 4K restoration of the film.
Two sets of screencaptures are included with this review. Please note that the screencaptures from the 4K Blu-ray are downscaled to 1080p. Therefore, they do not accurately reflect the quality of the 4K content on the 4K Blu-ray disc, including the actual color values of this content.
Screencaptures: 1-19 are from the 4K Blu-ray.
Screencaptures: 21-38 are from the Blu-ray.
In August of 2013, we covered this European release of Hard Target, which was produced by Universal Studios for the UK market. I still have it in my library, so I was able to do some direct comparisons with it while evaluating the 1080p and 4K presentations of Kino Lorber's exclusive 4K restoration of Hard Target.
4K BLU-RAY DISC
I used Dolby Vision to view the entire film in native 4K. However, I did a few quick tests with HDR enabled as well. My immediate impression was that in native 4K the film looks much healthier and a lot more vibrant. The outdoor footage in particular has significantly better ranges of nuances that are part of an overall superior dynamic range, so if you perform a direct comparison with any area with outdoor footage from the old Blu-ray release, you will see a pretty impressive uptick in quality. Depth looks better as well. However, I was quite surprised to see plenty of fluctuations during the darker and nighttime footage that often introduce minor but rather odd softness. To be entirely honest, I expected to see the same type of consistent improvements in these darker areas as well. (You can see examples highlighting the fluctuations in screencaptures $6, 18, and 19). These fluctuations become even more pronounced in 1080p, and many of them actually begin to look oddly similar to their counterparts from the old Blu-ray release. Density levels are good, Fluidity is much better as well, so if you view on a larger screen this will be a substantial improvement that you will have a very easy time appreciating. Color balance is very convincing. I think that it is extremely similar to what you would see on the old Blu-ray release, but with all primaries and supporting nuances looking much healthier, fresher, and ultimately better balanced. Perhaps some of the darker footage again produces light black crush, but the stylization is such that it is tolerable. (A good example where you would easily notice the presence of the crushing is the hunt during the prologue). Image stability is very good. Finally, there are no distracting large blemishes, cuts, marks or dark spots, but I did notice a couple of white specks. My score is 4.25/5.00. (Note: This is a Region-Free 4K Blu-ray release).
BLU-RAY DISC
A direct comparison between the new and old Blu-ray releases easily reveals the superiority of the former as well. I would say that once again the most significant upgrades that are introduced by the 4K restoration can be seen during the daylight footage. Delineation, clarity, and sharpness are unquestionably better, though in native 4K everything looks even more convincing. However, the darker areas look shakier, so the fluctuations and the softness that comes with them are more pronounced. Additionally, I think that in 1080p some of the black crush becomes more prominent, though I wish to mention that the stylization again hides a lot of it pretty well. Grain exposure is fine, but I much prefer the tighter appearance of the visuals that materializes in native 4K, which has a significant positive effect on fluidity as well. In 1080p, a lot of the faster camera moves do not look as convincing. Color reproduction and balance are superior. Image stability is very good. The same tiny white specks are retained. (Note: This is a Region-Free "locked" Blu-ray release).
There are two standard audio tracks on this release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.
I did a few quick tests with the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track from the old Blu-ray release, and unless I am missing something, the new DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is identical. I think that it serves the film very well. However, Hard Target has so many over-the-top action sequences that at times it feels like surround movement and oomph should be better. Nearly a decade ago, I felt the same way and back then we did not have Dolby Atmos, so I wonder if a new mix would have offered some meaningful improvements. The simple dialog is very clear and easy to follow. I did not encounter any technical anomalies to report in out review.
4K BLU-RAY DISC
I can't write that I am a big fan of Hard Target, but I hope this 4K Blu-ray release does really, really well so that John Woo's early classic action thrillers begin appearing on the high-definition format as well. I think that the 4K master that was prepared on behalf of Kino Lorber is very solid, plus there is a fine selection of exclusive new bonus features. I particularly enjoyed the new program with stunt coordinator Billy Burton, whose take on the current state of the film industry is spot on. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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Collector's Edition
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