Hard Target was one of John Woo's earlier attempts in Hollywood, and generally is a good B-movie. It wasn't the type of big budget summer blockbusters he later made (such as M-I:2), and the whole film effuses a raw and less polished style.
The film stars Jean-Claude Van Damme, one of the less successful action stars of the late 80s - early 90s. He doesn't have much acting talent, judging by the few films I've seen, but he certainly can fight, and fight with real style, and that's what matters in a John Woo film.
The plot is mildly interesting, though perhaps unoriginal - a bunch of serious bad-asses are running a business which lets millionaires (or anybody willing to pay a few hundred thousand dollars) hunt down people in the literal sense. Things go wrong when Van Damme gets involved, investigating the death of one the victims whose daughter hires him. The bad guys of course decides to forcefully stop the investigation, which turns into another hunting game, with Van Damme as the target. But as the target suggests, Van Damme is too hard a target for them.
What's slightly more interesting, is the action. Woo uses Van Damme fairly well, showing off his kicks perhaps a few times too many, but that's perhaps the point anyway - stylish action films are always somewhat over-the-top. Which is why some of the more wacky scenes such as standing hands-free on a bike and shooting are especially enjoyable. Some of the showdown scenes, which were later reused in Face/Off, present some rare nostalgia value too.
A film like Hard Target is destined to enjoy a small cult following. It has that kind of a in-your-face style, unapologetic in making violence into great masculine entertainment. However, for other audiences who don't want just senseless action, this film has little viewing value.
6/10
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Saturday, March 17, 2007
The Pursuit of Happyness
I went into the theater with absolutely zero knowledge what the film was about; I was simply accompanying a friend. Though I confess I did feel somewhat awkward walking into such a film with another guy while most of the audience were couples, the film more than compensated me for that slightly peculiar feeling.
The Pursuit of Happyness, starring the charismatic Will Smith, is essentially another example of the American Dream. Smith plays Chris Gardner, a salesman for a bone density scanner back in the good old early 80s. He's having tough luck pushing his product, which supposedly had slightly better effects than an X-ray but was far more expensive. Gardner can't come up with money for the bills, and one day is inspired by the people working at a stock brokerage. He thought they all looked so happy.
He applies for an internship at Dean Witter; meanwhile, his partner (Thandie Newton) leaves him, because she simply couldn't cope with the burden and stress. Gardner is left with his 5 year old son. He gets kicked out of his apartment because he's 3 month behind in rent.
He does get the internship opportunity (despite showing up for the interview dressed like "a garbage man"), but the 6 month internship offers no salary. He would have to figure out a way to outshine his fellow interns, take care of his son, and most importantly make sure they somehow could have a place to stay.
Of course, he eventually succeeds (which the ending credits duly show by showing off his later financial success), though the process was nothing short of dire situations. The film is unapologetic in its realism: we see them living in a motel (getting kicked out of that too), a homeless shelter, and even the men's room of the subway station.
Will Smith shows charm, maturity and depth in his role. His make-up doesn't show off his good looks and usual charm (he seems haggard and worn-out most of the time), but his character is still deeply likable, both out of his intensity to succeed, and his strong love for his son. He portrays the character's feelings clearly without overdoing it, and the film is basically his one-man show, which he carries and delivers fairly well.
Of course, his pursuit of "happyness", as the word is intentionally misspelt, could arguably be called the pursuit of money (which some have duly pointed out in cynicism), and even though he achieves financial success, it's arguable whether that would lead to real happiness. But nobody could deny that economic security is the basis for most people's happiness: let's face it, few people could be happy if they lived on the street, which is where Gardner is from.
This film certainly isn't anything special, but it tells a good story which effectively communicates. Some may deem it as cheesy material - which is a matter of personal opinion depending on how you view such dramas - but it could be very enjoyable to others.
7/10
The Pursuit of Happyness, starring the charismatic Will Smith, is essentially another example of the American Dream. Smith plays Chris Gardner, a salesman for a bone density scanner back in the good old early 80s. He's having tough luck pushing his product, which supposedly had slightly better effects than an X-ray but was far more expensive. Gardner can't come up with money for the bills, and one day is inspired by the people working at a stock brokerage. He thought they all looked so happy.
He applies for an internship at Dean Witter; meanwhile, his partner (Thandie Newton) leaves him, because she simply couldn't cope with the burden and stress. Gardner is left with his 5 year old son. He gets kicked out of his apartment because he's 3 month behind in rent.
He does get the internship opportunity (despite showing up for the interview dressed like "a garbage man"), but the 6 month internship offers no salary. He would have to figure out a way to outshine his fellow interns, take care of his son, and most importantly make sure they somehow could have a place to stay.
Of course, he eventually succeeds (which the ending credits duly show by showing off his later financial success), though the process was nothing short of dire situations. The film is unapologetic in its realism: we see them living in a motel (getting kicked out of that too), a homeless shelter, and even the men's room of the subway station.
Will Smith shows charm, maturity and depth in his role. His make-up doesn't show off his good looks and usual charm (he seems haggard and worn-out most of the time), but his character is still deeply likable, both out of his intensity to succeed, and his strong love for his son. He portrays the character's feelings clearly without overdoing it, and the film is basically his one-man show, which he carries and delivers fairly well.
Of course, his pursuit of "happyness", as the word is intentionally misspelt, could arguably be called the pursuit of money (which some have duly pointed out in cynicism), and even though he achieves financial success, it's arguable whether that would lead to real happiness. But nobody could deny that economic security is the basis for most people's happiness: let's face it, few people could be happy if they lived on the street, which is where Gardner is from.
This film certainly isn't anything special, but it tells a good story which effectively communicates. Some may deem it as cheesy material - which is a matter of personal opinion depending on how you view such dramas - but it could be very enjoyable to others.
7/10
Sunday, March 11, 2007
300 (2007)
300 is a visual feast and a new kind of epic film. Lord of the Rings may have started it all, but 300 is such film-making at its most visually glorifying best.
The plot is simple, a fictional adaptation of the Battle of Thermopylae, in which Spartan King Leonidas and his men faced a Persian army far superior in numbers. As the title suggests, Leonidas only had 300 men with him, but he was determined to fight to the last man to protect his nation. Thus we have one of the most famous last stands in history.
Much of the film's plot and its narrative are typical Hollywood film-making. What makes the film so lavishly enjoyable, though, is its rich cinematography and cgi. The film is color desaturated, and therefore conveys a moody tone of myth and fantasy. Many of the film's scenes can be taken out and pose for a Renaissance art on Greek myth. The rich lighting conveys the clear theme of legendary heroism.
And then there are the intense and bloody action sequences. The film is not the least bit shy when it comes to depicting the full spectrum of a gory battle, as we see plenty of limbs and decapitations, as well as plenty of blood splattered (artfully) all over the screen. The dark enemies they face - from ninja like warriors to giants to elephant beasts and the like, are all symbolic and vivid.
Clearly, you could say that the film is certainly not about building rich and deep characters. It strives purely to give us a full cinematic experience in epics. That being said, I was slightly disappointed that I was not emotionally stimulated enough - the visuals are there, but the storytelling certainly lacks a bit of the Peter Jackson magical touch. That's why I give it a 7 - but this is one film that any avid action lover should not miss.
7/10
The plot is simple, a fictional adaptation of the Battle of Thermopylae, in which Spartan King Leonidas and his men faced a Persian army far superior in numbers. As the title suggests, Leonidas only had 300 men with him, but he was determined to fight to the last man to protect his nation. Thus we have one of the most famous last stands in history.
Much of the film's plot and its narrative are typical Hollywood film-making. What makes the film so lavishly enjoyable, though, is its rich cinematography and cgi. The film is color desaturated, and therefore conveys a moody tone of myth and fantasy. Many of the film's scenes can be taken out and pose for a Renaissance art on Greek myth. The rich lighting conveys the clear theme of legendary heroism.
And then there are the intense and bloody action sequences. The film is not the least bit shy when it comes to depicting the full spectrum of a gory battle, as we see plenty of limbs and decapitations, as well as plenty of blood splattered (artfully) all over the screen. The dark enemies they face - from ninja like warriors to giants to elephant beasts and the like, are all symbolic and vivid.
Clearly, you could say that the film is certainly not about building rich and deep characters. It strives purely to give us a full cinematic experience in epics. That being said, I was slightly disappointed that I was not emotionally stimulated enough - the visuals are there, but the storytelling certainly lacks a bit of the Peter Jackson magical touch. That's why I give it a 7 - but this is one film that any avid action lover should not miss.
7/10
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