Hard Target (1993)

This film is a mixture of good & bad. Immediately, you'll be able to tell it's a John Woo film. The action is insanely over-the-top, with countless explosions making for enough absurdity that you'll want to be the one that finally kills the invincible protagonist.

Luckily, the protagonist is Jean-Claude Van Damme (of whom I am a big fan). However, despite his cool trench coat and slicked-back hair, this is not one of his best, though I can't fault his efforts. He still manages to sneak in his trademark 360* spin kick and does moderately well with the role, but the script is lacking and the action would benefit from some lacking.

Woo tries his hand at symbolism that feels out of place (at least to me) with goofy background music and random editing touches like use of slow motion. The plot (or lack thereof) veers off, as if the script was originally a slug that became a buckshot round, scattering in multiple directions, all of which are merely basic and not overly intriguing. Abandoning disbelief is a wise choice. For someone who is accustomed to preposterous action flicks, I was miffed by the silliness of it all.

Overall, it is a disappointment, especially since I thought a film with Van Damme & Lance Hendricksen (of Aliens fame) would be worthwhile. There are some well-done action scenes, but hardly anything more of merit throughout this strange mash-up of The Running Man and The Marine.