Hard Target (1993) ****

Though it doesn’t have the same philosophical quality as his earlier work, John Woo’s American debut, Hard Target (1993)—a modern riff on 1932's The Most Dangerous Game—is an over-the-top macho ride and a total action jam. There’s still plenty of Woo’s trademark balletic slow motion violence, ridiculous stunts, insane explosions, and—naturally—shots of birds flapping, plus the added bonus of a duo of delicious baddies in Lance Henriksen and Arnold Vosloo. Jean-Claude Van Damme and his physical abilities are of course big selling points as well, not to mention his sensational permed mullet.

You can find my John Woo Feature Films Ranked list here.