Synopsis
When a woman's father goes missing, she enlists a local to aid in her search. The pair soon discover that her father has died at the hands of a wealthy sportsman who hunts homeless men as a form of recreation.
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Cast
- Jean-Claude Van DammeChance Boudreaux
- Arnold VoslooPik van Cleef
- Lance HenriksenEmil Fouchon
- Yancy ButlerNatasha Binder
- Sven-Ole ThorsenStephan
- Wilford BrimleyUncle Douvee
- Ted RaimiMan on the Street
- Kasi LemmonsDet. Marie Mitchell
- Willie C. CarpenterElijah Roper
- Eliott KeenerRandal Poe
- 80
The Hollywood Reporter
Van Damme is no mere fighting machine: His performance is buffed with subtle humor and a sympathetic, self-deprecating demeanor. The bad guys are terrific: Lance Henriksen as the cold and cunning sporting promoter and Arnold Vosloo as his psycho hunting dog. - 78
Austin Chronicle
To be fair, this isn't The Killer. Woo's unique penchant for over-the-top male bonding is basically nowhere to be seen, but then this is, after all, a very American story, despite Woo's name at the top. - 70
The New York Times
Mr. Woo's obvious gusto and his taste for myth making are readily apparent. But so is his fondness for the slow, lingering death scene coupled with sickening sound effects. 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. - 63
ReelViews
Without the elegant technique of John Woo, Hard Target could have been a real dud. It is not a good alternative to more intelligent thrillers such as In the Line of Fire and as The Fugitive, but that's not the market it's aimed at. However, those who enter a darkened theater showing this film with a reasonable idea of what they're getting themselves into, are likely to emerge satisfied. - 60
Empire
Enjoyable from start to finish, this throw-away action flick does what it says on the tin. - 60
Rolling Stone
Even when the acting is hammy, notably Wilford Brimley’s turn as Chance’s Cajun uncle, Woo stages every fight with hypnotic grace. - 60
Time Out
The movie's firepower would shame the devil. It's what Hollywood wanted Woo for: bigger, brighter explosions. - 50
Washington Post
When Van Damme isn't duking it out with the English language, scriptwriter Chuck Pfarrer is filling Henriksen's mouth with villainous pseudo-profundities. Even in a second-rate action picture like this, and despite Henriksen's commendable efforts, they're painful to listen to.