John Woo's Hard Target Reviewed

This article was first published in Martial Arts Illustrated December 1993.

Part One By John Dawson

Mention the name Jean Claude Van Damme and one automatically assumes a direct link with a specific vein of martial arts action. By the same similarity mention the name John Woo and one instantaneously relates his name to an unsurpassable style of film making. He is a top notch director who, to my knowledge, in action orientated movies has few equals, his film work is quite original, quite unique to say the least. Put Van Damme and John Woo in a celluloid collaboration, entitle it Hard Target and one has a high powered, high calibre, up-market action movie with pathos, distinguished style and a rare flair that may in fact standardize a particular method of film feature that compliments them both for others to emulate.

After seeing the movie I was asked to do a review for Martial Arts Illustrated magazine, to which I cordially agreed, though I would not do this for just any martial arts movie. There are too many martial arts films lacking originality and believable storyline. Hard Target is one of Jean Claude Van Damme's best to date, and I would say now that Hard Target is not a martial arts movie in retrospect, we are in fact treated to the usual over sample of inconsequential martial arts action, a liberal sprinkle that I feel helps induce its need and credibility.

Maestro John Woo appears to have created an all new image for Van Damme, though I'm not quite sure whose idea this was. One aspect that is apparent is that whoever decided that these two team up, came up gold nuggets. Woo's directorial control is proven with a stylised trademark from previous masterpieces: Hard Boiled, The Killer and A Better Tomorrow. His use of slow motion action sequences, each long shot, profile and close-up of action and emotion done with a distinctive, professional grace complimenting a new version of martial arts combat and street fighting technical presence from a glowing Jean Claude Van Damme. Both Van Damme and John Woo never fail their audience, Woo beckons us, pulls us in saying 'Come look at this, you'll like it'. John Woo's forte is clearly action movies, this is not to typecast the guy, his ability can easily be compared to that of the equally talented Sam Peckinpah. Woo fills the screen in its entirety, his action is never one dimensional. The gun-play and street cred action binds the film, compliments the storyline and does not overstate it, and choosing Lance Henriksen to be the bad guy is the cherry on the cake. Lance is one of the best screen bad guys ever, giving a splendid account of his acting ability in this venture.

Without giving away too much of the film's storyline, because I hate critics who do that, the film's climax takes place in an old mardi gras store with all the action-adventure fight and gun gore that we've come to expect from both Jean Claude and ultimately John Woo. They both use their artistic license to the full and have produced my top action movie of the year. A film noir, or, if you're common like me, a 'topper'. Don't miss it!

Part Two By Chris Daly

Apparently Hard Target is an updated version of the 1932 film The Most Dangerous Game. John Woo, one of Hong Kong's leading action film directors, makes his first American directing debut with Hard Target, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme in his latest feature. Van Damme, as usual, appears to be moving from strength-to-strength, film after film, and the key word for this film I think is ACTION!

Hard Target stars Van Damme as Chance Boudreaux, a New Orleans merchant sailor, who stumbles across a young woman, Natasha 'Nat' Binder (Yancy Butler), whose father was a recent victim of a sadistic band of ruthless hunters who prey on homeless veterans in a deadly safari game. At first, Chance deceives Natasha by helping her just to earn the $217.00 he needs to pay back his union fees as a merchant seaman. After some time, Chance uncovers Emil Fouchon (Lance Henriksen) and his murderous enterprise. He honestly devotes himself to protect Natasha and battles out his vengeance on the heartless killers. Can Chance prove himself to be a Hard Target? I'm not telling.

John Woo and Van Damme together make such an explosive combination, with visual inventiveness created by the incredible John Woo, and the on-screen persona of Van Damme. This time we see Jean-Claude with a Chuck Norris hair style, but it's nice to see him return to the martial action genre as requested. Hard Target is an unusual Western action movie, but with an Eastern director, I'm not surprised. The action is non-stop, with Van Damme's kicking and jumping, plus guns, cars and motorbikes, giving the ingredients for fast, unbelievable, breathtaking action and stunts.

After Universal Soldier, Van Damme took a big step-down in making Nowhere To Run, but fortunately, he has taken a huge step-up to get himself back on track with Hard Target. Viewers will find that Van Damme has mixed the action from his early movies (plus some Seagal-esque techniques), with the acting from Nowhere To Run. Finally, let us hope that Jean-Claude will continue with his fine presence in more martial art/action movies, and not take a foul step into the unknown.

Below is listed just a few of the main cast and credits.

CAST
Chance Boudreaux: Jean-Claude Van Damme
Natasha Binder: Yancy Butler
Marie: Lenore Banks
Fouchon: Lance Henriksen
Van Cleaf: Arnold Vosloo
Stunt Double for Jean-Claude Van Damme: Mark

CREDITS
Directed by John Woo
Produced by James Jacks, Sean Daniel
Written by Chuck Pfarrar
Make-up for Jean-Claude Van Damme ZOLTAN
Hair for Jean-Claude Van Damme Jan Alexander