Hard Target 1993

Janet Maslin, New York Times: Presenting Mr. Van Damme as reverentially as Sergio Leone did the young Clint Eastwood, Mr. Woo displays a real aptitude for malignant mischief, which is this story's stock in trade. Read more

Entertainment Weekly: Read more

James Berardinelli, ReelViews: Its characters are poorly-developed, the plot is the pinnacle of absurdity, and the acting, at best, is well over-the-top. Nevertheless, on the most basic, visceral level, the film succeeds. Read more

Derek Adams, Time Out: It's what Hollywood wanted Woo for: bigger, brighter explosions. Read more

Emanuel Levy, Variety: A disappointing American debut of the Hong Kong cult director John Woo is a decent action vehicle by standards of its star Jean-Claude Van Damme but, hampered by a B script and flat characters, it doesn't bear Woo's auteurist signature and unique vision Read more

Richard Harrington, Washington Post: Woo, a master of stylized violence and explosive action, has had to buy into America's fascination with explosive effects and reaction. Something gets lost in the transition. Read more

Desson Thomson, Washington Post: Essentially, Hard Target is a risk-averse Van Damme vehicle, steered by many hands, and set on tracks leading directly to the delivery entrances of the country's video stores. Read more