Hard Target (1993)

Director:

John Woo

Writer (WGA):

Chuck Pfarrer (written by)

Release Date:

20 August 1993 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Thriller

Tagline:

Don't hunt what you can't kill.

Plot:

A woman hires a drifter as her guide through New Orleans in search of her father, who has gone missing. They discover a deadly game of cat and mouse behind his disappearance in the process.

Plot Keywords:

New Orleans | Money | Louisiana | Missing Person | New Orleans Louisiana

Awards:

1 win & 5 nominations

Cast

Jean-Claude Van Damme	...	Chance Boudreaux
Lance Henriksen	...	Emil Fouchon
Yancy Butler	...	Natasha 'Nat' Binder
Wilford Brimley	...	Uncle Douvee
Kasi Lemmons	...	Det. Marie Mitchell
Arnold Vosloo	...	Pik van Cleef
Robert Apisa	...	Mr. Lopacki
Chuck Pfarrer	...	Douglas Binder
Douglas Forsythe Rye	...	Frick
Mike Leinert	...	Frack (as Michael D. Leinert)
Lenore Banks	...	Marie
Willie C. Carpenter	...	Elijah Roper (as Willie Carpenter)
Barbara Tasker	...	Waitress
Randy Cheramie	...	Shop Steward
Eliott Keener	...	Randal Poe

Runtime:

97 min | Germany:73 min (cut version) | 116 min (Director's Cut) | 128 min (Workprint Version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Netherlands:16 | Norway:(Banned) (uncut european version) (1993-2003) (cinema release) | South Korea:18 | Philippines:R-18 | Malaysia:18SG (tv rating) | Malaysia:(Banned) | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA (original rating) | Australia:R (DVD rating) | Finland:K-18 | France:-12 | Germany:18 | Ireland:18 | New Zealand:R18 | Norway:18 (video premiere) | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:NC-16 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R | Germany:BPjM Restricted

Filming Locations:

2100 Chartres St, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

Director Trademark: [John Woo] [motorcycles]

Goofs:

Continuity: When Nat goes to file a missing person report at the police station, Officer Mitchell has a pastry with a candle that she puts in the drawer of her desk. As it goes in it looks to be a brand new candle and when she takes it out there is none left. It would be impossible for the candle to burn completely in the period of time.

Quotes:

Chance Boudreaux: Now take your pig-stick and your boyfriend, and find a bus to catch.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Dogma (1999)

Beats the s**t out of M:I-2!

Now I'm a fan of all Woo films; even the worst of his works, such as "Broken Arrow", are at least 'standard fare' in Hollywood-terms; this, however, does not apply to the few sad TV-attempts he made (The "Once a thief"-cable flick is just dreadful...). "Face/Off" and even the 'funny' "M:I-2" are both action-packed showdowns which demonstrate well what Woo can do. But his first Hollywood-attempt still remains the best of them- at least, to date! "Hard target" was shoot with very little time and then re-edited 7 times (count'em- seven!) to finally pass the censorship (yes, I'd call it that!) and STILL, after assumably at least half (?) the flavour taken out, it's still one tough cookie! Maybe frustrated at the censorship, Woo has later on stayed on the safe R-rated waters in Hollywood, not even trying to top himself (And again, STILL remaining the best bet when it comes to directing some serious action!)

"Hard Target" puts Jean-Claude Van 'Damage' against one of the always trustworthy screen villains, Lance Henriksen, and his pack of urban-commando (all black outfits, combat vests and MP5's) goons, and that's all you need to know! IF you think the going gets a little boring on the way, wait for the final 20 minutes, which will give you an adrenaline rush worth your while!

BTW, if anyone knows where I could get my hands on the 116-minutes (any shorter will not do!) uncut "Director's cut", I'd be happy to buy a copy, preferably DVD (but also VHS will do; we're talking cult classic here!)