Hard Target | Rotten Tomatoes (original) (raw)
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Critics Consensus
Hard Target gets a boost from John Woo's stylish direction, but at heart, it's still another silly, explosion-dependent action thriller in the Jean-Claude Van Damme oeuvre.
Duane Byrge The Hollywood Reporter The combo is an incendiary mix: Woo unleashes all barrels in vintage Hong Kong action style while Van Damme delivers not only his martial-arts prowess but some well-developed acting skills as well. Sep 3, 2020 Full Review Kim Newman Empire Magazine Though it lacks the epic feel and melodramatic sincerity of Woo's Oriental movies, this is nevertheless first-rate action. Rated: 3/5 Nov 13, 2017 Full Review Owen Gleiberman Entertainment Weekly Rated: B+ Sep 7, 2011 Full Review Yasser Medina Cinefilia An action film from Woo that delivers high doses of testosterone, but it frequents commonplaces and, ultimately, never hits the mark with all the clichés that adorn its plot of violence, gunfights and kicking. [Full review in Spanish] Rated: 5/10 Jan 12, 2025 Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews ...the movie improves considerably once it progresses into an increasingly enthralling second half... Rated: 3/4 Aug 20, 2022 Full Review Chris Knight Calgary Herald Don't expect too much from Hard Target, and you won't be disappointed. Shoot-em-up action films have a limited range, but John Woo and company take this one to the limit. Rated: 2.5/4 Aug 12, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews
Split I So Bad It’s Good Action Fun Hard Target is the kind of gloriously over-the-top action movie that’s impossible not to enjoy, flaws and all. Jean-Claude Van Damme stars as Chance Boudreaux, a drifter with a Cajun accent so thick it could cut through steel, and he delivers exactly the kind of charismatic, high-kicking performance you’d expect from an action icon of the era. Directed by John Woo in his American debut, the film is packed with the director's signature Hong Kong-inspired action sequences. From slow-motion explosions to gravity-defying stunts, Woo’s flair elevates the film from standard action fare to a visually thrilling spectacle. The plot, involving human hunters preying on the homeless, is pure 90s action cheese, but it’s executed with enough energy and style to keep you entertained. Lance Henriksen and Arnold Vosloo make memorable villains, adding just the right amount of menace to the chaotic proceedings. Sure, it’s campy, ridiculous, and often nonsensical, but that’s what makes Hard Target so much fun. It’s a must-watch for fans of old-school action movies, especially those who appreciate a bit of unintentional humor with their high-octane thrills. Final Thoughts: How can you not love Jean-Claude Van Damme with a Cajun accent and mullet, kicking his way through a barrage of bad guys? Hard Target may not be high art, but it’s an absolute blast and a testament to the wild spirit of 90s action cinema. Rating: 6/10 A so-bad-it’s-good gem with fantastic action sequences and unforgettable Van Damme moments. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/02/25 Full Review Topher M Akin to "The Most Dangerous Game"; JCVD plays a homeless vet who kept to himself until a woman, an out-of-towner looking for her father, is assaulted by thugs. He warns her about being so careless before resuming his solitary life. The following day as he awaits a job opportunity, he's approached by the woman who offers to hire him to which he declines. Unfortunately, he cannot be considered for the job until a debt has been paid so he reconsiders the declined offer. This decision snowballs JCVD into uncovering a world where the rich hunt the homeless (two known to JCVD character) and he is forced to play to save not just his own life but that of the young woman, his uncle and military brethren (future contestants) It's not a spectacular film but definitely worthy of a viewing if you like 90s action. Similar movies: Lionheart (JCVD) Running Man (Ah-nold) Rambo (Sly) Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/19/24 Full Review Jonathan O Hard Target is the 90's of The Most Dangerous Games and echoes of 2012 The Hunger Games but boy I had a blast is really entertaining and thrilling and great dark humor and Jean- Claude Van Damme is really a action star in the 90's and John Woo really wow use with action and gun fu and really fantastic stunts work. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/18/24 Full Review To F Mucha acción. Es lo que define a esta buena película!! Rated 3 out of 5 stars 08/29/24 Full Review Audience Member Top-tier Van Damme! Maybe his best film, thanks to the stylish direction of John Woo and some fantastic villains. This is one of the best to feature JCVD alongside the likes of Bloodsport, Timecop and Sudden Death. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/15/24 Full Review Jordan W A mulleted Jean-Claude Van Damme punches a rattlesnake unconscious and then uses it as a trap for the baddies hunting him. Unironically awesome. Very much a product of it’s goofy action genre era, Hard Target would be pretty forgettable if not for the –frankly– insane stunt work and action sequences this film offers. This is peak John Woo, for best and worst. All the slow-mo, pigeons, flying kicks and endless shootouts you could possibly want. This film is very straightforward with what it is and at least a good portion of that is indeed very very cool. Features some of the coolest badguy deaths I’ve seen and Lance Hendrickson weirdly stole the show as the main antagonist. Jean-Claude Van Damme is cool but cannot deliver lines to save his life. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 05/27/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Hard Target: Official Clip - Gas Can to the Face Hard Target: Official Clip - Gas Can to the Face 2:12 Hard Target: Official Clip - Hunter Becomes the Hunted Hard Target: Official Clip - Hunter Becomes the Hunted 3:31 Hard Target: Official Clip - Fighting Crime in Style Hard Target: Official Clip - Fighting Crime in Style 2:53 Hard Target: Official Clip - Uncle Douvee Hard Target: Official Clip - Uncle Douvee 2:26 Hard Target: Official Clip - Missed the Party Hard Target: Official Clip - Missed the Party 2:21 Hard Target: Official Clip - Motorcycle Chase Hard Target: Official Clip - Motorcycle Chase 2:59 Hard Target: Official Clip - Warehouse Shootout Hard Target: Official Clip - Warehouse Shootout 2:26 Hard Target: Official Clip - Rattlesnake Trap Hard Target: Official Clip - Rattlesnake Trap 2:30 Hard Target: Official Clip - He's All Ears Hard Target: Official Clip - He's All Ears 2:22 Hard Target: Official Clip - Hunting Season is Over Hard Target: Official Clip - Hunting Season is Over 3:13 View more videos
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Hard Target (1993) Hard Target (1993) Hard Target (1993) Hard Target (1993) Hard Target (1993) Hard Target (1993) Hard Target (1993) Hard Target (1993) View more photos
Synopsis Chance Boudreaux (Jean-Claude Van Damme), a sailor skilled in martial arts, is employed to guard Natasha Binder (Yancy Butler) as she tracks down her father, an itinerant Vietnam veteran living in New Orleans named Douglas (Chuck Pfarrer). They soon uncover a sinister group of wealthy men who hunt the homeless for sport, paying them $10,000 if they can survive a crosstown journey. When Chance discovers that Natasha's father was one of their victims, he decides to destroy the evil hunters.
Director
John Woo
Producer
James Jacks, Sean Daniel
Screenwriter
Chuck Pfarrer
Production Co
Universal Pictures, Renaissance Pictures, Alphaville Films
Rating
R
Genre
Action
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 10, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$31.5M
Runtime
1h 34m
Sound Mix
Surround
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