Hard Target

One of Van Dammes best in my opinion. He's very good in it from both a martial arts and an acting perspective. As you'd expect from director Woo it's got plenty of stylish action and it all takes place at a fair old clip. There's also some good acting support from Vosloo and Henrikson as the primary antagonists and Brimley as Van Dammes uncle. Obviously the plot of rich psychos hunting people for sport is a retread but being an action movie fan I thoroughly enjoyed this very 90's take on 'The most dangerous game'. Check out Michael Dudikoff in the 80's, also 'The most Dangerous Game' inspired, 'Avenging Force' if you enjoyed this movie.

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.

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)

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.

Mucha acción. Es lo que define a esta buena película!!

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.

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.

La barrera entre cazador y presa se deshace cuando un marino decide combatir a un grupo de sádicos que caza humanos por deporte.

Having emigrated to America as a controversial figure in his home country, John Woo came out swinging with his US debut, Hard Target. Despite the rather hammy B-movie-esque story, Woo's technical prowess shines through, unleashing all barrels in vintage Hong Kong action style on the streets of New Orleans. Even with the numerous edits made to appease the MPAA, Hard Target still manages to deliver some truly epic action reminiscent of Woo's golden era, from a slow-motion moment here to a well-chosen freeze-frame there. He is probably the only director who could ever do Jean-Claude's ridiculous mullet any form of justice. Surprisingly, Van Damme delivers not only his martial arts prowess but some well-developed acting skills as well, however, the real star of this vehicle is obviously Lance Henriksen. The script often fills his mouth full of villainous pseudo-profundities while flanked by an equally fun role for Arnold Vosloo as Henriksen's right-hand man. Though it may lack the melodramatic sincerity of Woo's Hong Kong movies, Hard Target is a first-rate actioneer that delivers an incendiary mix of Wooisms, an epic score by Graeme Revell and very, very loud explosions.

Granted its still has plenty of cheese and over the top action, but theres charm and a great setting of New Orleans that kept me entertained.