Glad you covered this release. I wish they would have included an interview with Kasi Lemmons, who was good in the film and went on to become a significant director. Did she learn anything by working with John Woo? FACE OFF is my favorite American film directed by John Woo, but his best films are the ones he made in Hong Kong: HARDBOILED, THE KILLER and BULLET TO THE HEAD.
Glad I saw your review. I was never going to buy this unless it was the international cut, which I have had on bootleg vhs since the late 90’s. The finale is ten thousand times better with the action not sliced to pieces. The uncut finale to this film is almost as exciting as the finale to John Woo’s completely insane A BETTER TOMORROW Part II.
Definitely a must buy. I've been snapping up all the recent Van Damme Blu Ray releases from 101 Films and 88 Films etc. so will be cool to add this as well. Hopefully we'll get a decent boutique release of TimeCop in the near future and also Bloodsport.
@@GothamKnight84661 yes that was a typo (now corrected). 88 films is what I was referring to. Well you might be right about Bloodsport but one can only hope and see what happens. Kino did No Retreat No Surrender and MVD did Black Eagle so hopefully Bloodsport will eventually have it's time.
I’ve had the international cut for years from a JCVD blu ray bundle. It’s labeled as the R version but is in fact the international version. That being said this is worth picking up for the upgrade and interviews and commentary. I haven’t upgraded to 4K so picked up the single blu ray version.
This is the best van damme movie! Until til this day one of the best action movies ever made in my opinion! it’s actually little scary this movie came out 1993 it was way a head of it’s time! Watching a van damme movie for the first time and seeing this as a kid was something else!
I read that the left and right channels are reversed on the 5.1 audiotrack. Can you confirm if that's true? There's a train passing by around 20 minutes where you can hear it.
Two of my favorite things, his line "Next time, be more careful with your wall-ET." Just how he says it is great. And him putting a grenade in Lance Henriksen's pants. Top tier level action film and still hasn't gotten the massive respect I think it deserves. Maybe some people are put off because of the mullet (which turned Van Damme from a man into a GOD) or the snake scene, but if you don't like those things I guess Hard Target probably isn't for you anyway.
We all need to get over ourselves and have fun. Life is short, mullets are majestic lion manes, and there's nothing cooler than punching a rattlesnake in the head.
Hard Target is a must! I think i need all my VanDamme classics on 4k. So many good ones that make up my childhood. Bloodsport, Kickboxer, Double Impact, Universal Soldier, even Street Fighter.
This release now has replacement disc. Because wrong audio track 5.1. Sadly. But France Version still the best so far, because including Workprint Version 🔥🔥🔥
This is probably worth it for the features alone and would upgrade my DVD 2 pack (with Sudden Death). Bloodsport is probably my favorite Van Damme, but that might have to do with it being my first. HT is a classic.
When this movie was released I watched it at the cinema, twice. At that stage I was still living in South Africa so I only know the international version. Which is awesome!! I don't know how many times I have seen the movie but I kinda know most of the dialogue. I was a super Van Damme freak and still a fan.
apparently there is some kind of an audio glitch on the 5.1 mix on this disc..Kino Lorber has issued a statement regarding replacement discs on their website....did you notice any audio issues in your review?
I saw that statement about the replacement! No, I didn't notice the issue. Apparently the left and right surround channels are reversed, so sounds that are on the left on the screen are in the right surround channel and vice versa. I'm glad they're replacing it, but a lot of reviewers, including me, completely missed the problem in the first place.
My favorite Jean Claude Van Damme movie is Lionheart. I just want to get that out of the way first and foremost. I also like Kickboxer, Double Impact, Cyborg and of course Hard Target. Though, I have yet to see Bloodsport. With that aside, I thoroughly enjoyed watching Hard Target when it came out back in 1993. Then, I finally saw it for a second time around a couple of months ago or so. Action films were at their apex between the mid 1980's until the late 1990's. There were a lot of big name action stars at the time such as, Sylvester Stallone, Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Nicholas Cage, etc. However, Jean Claude Van Damme would probably be my favorite or at the very least, in my top 3 list. I remember the opening scene where Van Damme was fighting the muggers. It was intense, brutal and very well choreographed and it did a wonderful job of setting the stage for a highly enjoyable action flick. John Woo did what he set out to do and he did so with style and confidence. I already have the regular Blu-ray version. However, I do plan on buying the 4K release as well. Here is a side note by the way. The John Wick movies are modern action flicks that feel like a throwback to the action films that came out back in the day and that's one of the reasons why I'm such a huge fan of the franchise. This video definitely brought back some nostalgic memories for sure. Otherwise, thanks as always Heath for another wonderful video. I really appreciate the continued hard work that you keep putting into this amazing channel. It means a lot. Keep it up!
The more we talk about Van Damme movies, the more I realize he's made a lot of GREAT action flicks. Lionheart, Bloodsport, Sudden Impact, Hard Target...it's hard to go wrong with any of those.
@@perryfan49 it was the early days of the internet, bought it online. I wanna say it was the very late 90’s. I remember all the temp music. The extra footage was mostly extended. Roper’s death was super hardcore more violent. The quality of the work print isn’t great, even back in the day time code on bottom of the screen etc.. The international cut I had on laserdisc (from Japan), back in the day. Funny thing is I’ve had it in blu ray for quite some time. Few years ago I picked up a blu ray JCVD bundle which had Hard Target listed as the American R version but in fact was the international cut. It’s been a while since I searched but I imagine the work print is being bootlegged on DVD from an online seller out there somewhere.
Order from Kino Lorber here: www.klstudioclassics.com/product/view/id/8764
Order from Amazon here: amzn.to/3o95CdE
This gives me hope for a Double Impact 4k release.
Glad you covered this release. I wish they would have included an interview with Kasi Lemmons, who was good in the film and went on to become a significant director. Did she learn anything by working with John Woo? FACE OFF is my favorite American film directed by John Woo, but his best films are the ones he made in Hong Kong: HARDBOILED, THE KILLER and BULLET TO THE HEAD.
Glad I saw your review. I was never going to buy this unless it was the international cut, which I have had on bootleg vhs since the late 90’s. The finale is ten thousand times better with the action not sliced to pieces. The uncut finale to this film is almost as exciting as the finale to John Woo’s completely insane A BETTER TOMORROW Part II.
Definitely a must buy. I've been snapping up all the recent Van Damme Blu Ray releases from 101 Films and 88 Films etc. so will be cool to add this as well. Hopefully we'll get a decent boutique release of TimeCop in the near future and also Bloodsport.
8i?? what is 8i? i know a 88 flims though but don't hold your breath on Bloodsport anytime soon but maybe Timecop.
@@GothamKnight84661 yes that was a typo (now corrected). 88 films is what I was referring to. Well you might be right about Bloodsport but one can only hope and see what happens. Kino did No Retreat No Surrender and MVD did Black Eagle so hopefully Bloodsport will eventually have it's time.
I’ve had the international cut for years from a JCVD blu ray bundle. It’s labeled as the R version but is in fact the international version. That being said this is worth picking up for the upgrade and interviews and commentary. I haven’t upgraded to 4K so picked up the single blu ray version.
This is the best van damme movie! Until til this day one of the best action movies ever made in my opinion!
it’s actually little scary this movie came out 1993 it was way a head of it’s time!
Watching a van damme movie for the first time and seeing this as a kid was something else!
Nowhere To Run is my fave and Van Damme's best!
I read that the left and right channels are reversed on the 5.1 audiotrack. Can you confirm if that's true? There's a train passing by around 20 minutes where you can hear it.
I am pre-ordering this movie tomorrow and once it arrives I will own every single Kino Lorber 4K release that’s been put out so far.
Two of my favorite things, his line "Next time, be more careful with your wall-ET." Just how he says it is great. And him putting a grenade in Lance Henriksen's pants. Top tier level action film and still hasn't gotten the massive respect I think it deserves. Maybe some people are put off because of the mullet (which turned Van Damme from a man into a GOD) or the snake scene, but if you don't like those things I guess Hard Target probably isn't for you anyway.
We all need to get over ourselves and have fun. Life is short, mullets are majestic lion manes, and there's nothing cooler than punching a rattlesnake in the head.
I just got a message from bullmoose after i ordered saying there's audio issues and there's a recall??
Great review and great presentation on your part.
Great movie. There's extra deleted scenes on youtube like the ear cuting scene and a few extra bits.
My fav van damme film is Lion Heart (A.W.O.L) Hard Target and Sudden Death are both in second place 3rd place is Blood Sport and Kickboxer
it looks great wow, glad I picked it up.
tomorrow night is Face Off
Hard Target is a must! I think i need all my VanDamme classics on 4k. So many good ones that make up my childhood. Bloodsport, Kickboxer, Double Impact, Universal Soldier, even Street Fighter.
Yes! I love this movie! Hard Target introduced me to Van Damme!
This release now has replacement disc. Because wrong audio track 5.1.
Sadly. But France Version still the best so far, because including Workprint Version 🔥🔥🔥
I wonder in Nic Cages Cameron Poe's look was inspired by JCVD in Hard Target, even some of the scenes are similar?
Cool film, just watched it tonight
This is probably worth it for the features alone and would upgrade my DVD 2 pack (with Sudden Death). Bloodsport is probably my favorite Van Damme, but that might have to do with it being my first. HT is a classic.
Bloodsport is great!
Bloodsport is Van dammes best movie, no questions asked. I don’t care what anyone else says 😂
My favorite part is Sam raimi brother telling him I ain't got no change man lol 😆 😂
Great video mate thanks for sharing and a great van damme movie 🎬 🎞 🎥
Been waiting for this forever it seems and i pre ordered it immediately when announced.
This is must own for me. Film grain is always a good thing!
When this movie was released I watched it at the cinema, twice. At that stage I was still living in South Africa so I only know the international version. Which is awesome!! I don't know how many times I have seen the movie but I kinda know most of the dialogue. I was a super Van Damme freak and still a fan.
The best thing about this movie are the two lead villains.
apparently there is some kind of an audio glitch on the 5.1 mix on this disc..Kino Lorber has issued a statement regarding replacement discs on their website....did you notice any audio issues in your review?
I saw that statement about the replacement! No, I didn't notice the issue. Apparently the left and right surround channels are reversed, so sounds that are on the left on the screen are in the right surround channel and vice versa. I'm glad they're replacing it, but a lot of reviewers, including me, completely missed the problem in the first place.
Great A1 review but because not from UNIVERSAL sadly no DTS X immersive audio remix
Good review, off topic kino is waiting for Freidken to show up to grade To Live and Die In LA.
My favorite Jean Claude Van Damme movie is Lionheart. I just want to get that out of the way first and foremost. I also like Kickboxer, Double Impact, Cyborg and of course Hard Target. Though, I have yet to see Bloodsport. With that aside, I thoroughly enjoyed watching Hard Target when it came out back in 1993. Then, I finally saw it for a second time around a couple of months ago or so. Action films were at their apex between the mid 1980's until the late 1990's. There were a lot of big name action stars at the time such as, Sylvester Stallone, Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Nicholas Cage, etc. However, Jean Claude Van Damme would probably be my favorite or at the very least, in my top 3 list. I remember the opening scene where Van Damme was fighting the muggers. It was intense, brutal and very well choreographed and it did a wonderful job of setting the stage for a highly enjoyable action flick. John Woo did what he set out to do and he did so with style and confidence. I already have the regular Blu-ray version. However, I do plan on buying the 4K release as well. Here is a side note by the way. The John Wick movies are modern action flicks that feel like a throwback to the action films that came out back in the day and that's one of the reasons why I'm such a huge fan of the franchise. This video definitely brought back some nostalgic memories for sure. Otherwise, thanks as always Heath for another wonderful video. I really appreciate the continued hard work that you keep putting into this amazing channel. It means a lot. Keep it up!
The more we talk about Van Damme movies, the more I realize he's made a lot of GREAT action flicks. Lionheart, Bloodsport, Sudden Impact, Hard Target...it's hard to go wrong with any of those.
I'd love to upgrade to the 4k version of Hard Target I love that movie
You were sporting the Van Damme hair style some time ago. You were rocking that mullet goooood m8 :-)
Never had a mullet! Short on top, party in the back isn't my jam, but more power to the mullet warriors out there.
@@CerealAtMidnight Let's call it a half-mullet then! I remember you had something going there!
I thought this was a review of the unrated director's cut which was 116 minutes long.
Can you buy in this in the UK 🇬🇧 if you know love that film
You could import this, but I'm not sure if any company other than Kino Lorber has released this anywhere else.
I saw this on Amazon but it refers to it as just blu ray.. where the hell is the 4k at actually?
amzn.to/3o95CdE
@@CerealAtMidnight thanks bro I really appreciate it, now I can join in on the fun 👌🏼
Thanks, yeah be careful on the forums. Try to pick up on the consensus or wisdom of the crowd. multiple sources...
There is actually a scene from the workprint version where Van Damme and Yancy Butler have romance and kiss.
Supposedly there's an entire love scene that got cut more and more in editing, and eventually removed entirely.
Yeah that’s from the work print version which I have somewhere in storage on a VHS.
@@jonathanaldecoa1099 Wow, how did you get access to that?
@@perryfan49 it was the early days of the internet, bought it online. I wanna say it was the very late 90’s. I remember all the temp music. The extra footage was mostly extended. Roper’s death was super hardcore more violent. The quality of the work print isn’t great, even back in the day time code on bottom of the screen etc.. The international cut I had on laserdisc (from Japan), back in the day. Funny thing is I’ve had it in blu ray for quite some time. Few years ago I picked up a blu ray JCVD bundle which had Hard Target listed as the American R version but in fact was the international cut. It’s been a while since I searched but I imagine the work print is being bootlegged on DVD from an online seller out there somewhere.
Best JCVD movie really? It’s gotta be bloodsport.
Hard target was a well made movie
Many 4k releases have black crush and to much grain but some look great.
Genuinely asking: do you advocate DNR and smoothing on 4Ks that have grainer transfers?