6.9 | / 10 |
Users | 3.5 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 3.6 |
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 | 57% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French: DTS 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
UV digital copy
Region free
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 1.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Although 1993’s “Hard Target” is regarded as a Jean-Claude Van Damme action vehicle, the feature is more interesting when approached as the American filmmaking debut for director John Woo. Lured to the states by co-producer Sam Raimi, Woo was a monumental get, with his work on Hong Kong masterpieces such as “The Killer” and “Hard Boiled” cementing his reputation as unique architect of blistering action sequences, often executed with an emotional foundation that preserves performances and widens cinematic scope. The transition wasn’t easy, with Woo’s exaggerated sensibilities alien to Hollywood’s shoot-em-up formula, but the marriage resulted in an especially funky offspring. “Hard Target” isn’t a convincing drama, but this loose update of the 1924 short story, “The Most Dangerous Game,” is transformed into a celebration of carnage and bruising stunt work, reworking western traditions to fit Van Damme’s rise as a big screen hero. It’s a berserk picture slathered in absurdity, but if one can find the rhythm of its outrageousness, “Hard Target” rises to become the most satisfying entry in Van Damme’s rise to glory during the early 1990s, smartly using the star’s limited vocabulary and limitless flexibility to create one of the finest B-movies of the decade.
The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation doesn't appear to be a recent scan from Universal, but as their catalog releases go, "Hard Target" emerges relatively unscathed. Some filtering is present to lend the image a video-like appearance, but detail isn't smoothed out, still managing to capture location particulars and skin textures, with beads of sweat and subtle body trauma open for inspection. Also fun to watch for are the stuntmen, with their bad wigs easier to spot in HD. Colors run a tad hot, but nothing offensive, holding natural hues with costuming and New Orleans locations, and skintones are adequate. Blacks lose some delineation with dark outfits, but distances are sustained. No overt print damage was detected.
The 5.1 DTS-HD sound mix carries expected punch to detail the numerous actions scenes of the movie. Surrounds are utilized quite well, with encouraging panning effects for motorcycle activity and helicopter arrivals, while explosions also feel out circular movement. Dialogue isn't deep but it remains crisp and open for inspection, navigating accents and more hectic encounters. Low-end receives a workout, and while it's more of a shallow rumble, heaviness is felt during firebombs and shootouts. Scoring maintains authority, supporting without steamrolling the rest of the elements, and soundtrack selections are clean. Bayou and citywide atmospherics are explored to satisfaction.
Most Van Damme fans consider 1994's "Timecop" to be the Muscles from Brussles's best movie. The Peter Hyams picture pushed the star to conjure emotions, and a heftier budget permitted a glossier effort. "Timecop" is entertaining, but "Hard Target" is truly Van Damme's shining moment of screen gallantry, riding Woo's wave of carnage with a smirk and boot-to-the-face, making for an amusing eye to this outrageous cinematic hurricane.
1993
Special Edition
1993
Audio Error
1993
Corrected Audio
1993
2009
1995
2010
2017
2017
2014
2011
1995
2011
1985
2015
2013
1996
2018
2008
1994
2012
Collector's Edition
1986
2006
2007