Hard Target (1993)

Director: John Woo
Starring: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Lance Henriksen, Yancy Butler

Synopsis:
A woman looking for her missing father in New Orleans enlists the help of a former Marine and they find out about an underground hunting ring that specializes in the most dangerous game.

Impressions:
John Woo's first directorial outing here in the States is definitely memorable. I mean, a movie that treats you to the sight of Wilford Brimley on horseback waving a bow aloft triumphantly while a huge fireball is blossoming in the background deserves people's attention. Now, if you're on board for Woo's particular touches such as plenty of dramatic slo-mo, multiple takes of key hits, and of course doves flying everywhere, then you can appreciate the stylish take on two-fisted action. If you find it overly contrived and silly, well, at least you may be able to get a laugh out of it. It was a pragmatic touch, setting the story in New Orleans as a way to explain away JCVD's accent. As for Van Damme himself, he brings the goods, armed and unarmed. Lance Henriksen and Arnold Vosloo make a great villainous duo. There's an urban legend about once scene where Henriksen caught fire but didn't break character. This is a really cool notion but it was a planned stunt. A planned stunt that Henriksen nevertheless performed himself and played off brilliantly. Henriksen is usually known for fairly subdued performances, but if you ever were curious to see him really ham it up, this is for you. I mentioned Wilford Brimley before. He's entertaining as Uncle Douvet. So long as you don't expect this to be anything more than a dumb action movie, it's a fun ride and I'd recommend giving it a watch. Definitely go in with the right mindset, though, or you probably won't enjoy yourself.

Rating:
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