Hard Target 2 isn’t a half-bad DTV flick though it is pretty standard fare and probably went on a good 10-minutes too long. Still, Scott Adkins makes for a serviceable action hero with the right amount of charisma to pull off the role while seeing Robert Knepper playing a villain is always a welcome.
Hard Target 2
(2016)
Genre(s): Action
Universal Pictures | R – 104 min. – $22.98 | September 6, 2016
Date Published: 09/05/2016 | Author: The Movieman
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THE MOVIE — 2.5/5 |
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Plot Synopsis: Disgraced and retired mixed martial artist Wes “The Jailor” Baylor (SCOTT ADKINS), following the death of his opponent and best friend, couldn’t refuse a million-dollar purse offered by Aldrich (ROBERT KNEPPER) to fight in Myanmar. When he arrives to fight, he learns he’s been tricked into becoming the target of a human hunt. Carrying only water and a ruby-filled money belt for the last person standing, Wes must outsmart the heavily armed group — including daughter of oil tycoon Sofia (RHONA MITRA), father-son Tobias (SEAN KEENAN) and Jacob (PETER HARDY) Zimling, game developer Landon Marshall (JAMIE TIMONY) and bull fighter Esparto (ADAM SAUNDERS) — who’s paid to kill him.
As Wes fights for his life in the treacherous jungle terrain, the hunters become the hunted and he receives support from a local woman named Tha (ANN TRUONG) whose brother has gone missing and was a part of the last human hunting game. Now together they must elude Aldrich’s hunters and make it for the border where Baylor can keep the jewels and start over and find some semblance of peace. Quick Hit Review: Hard Target 2 starts off well enough, as a throwback to the old action flicks from the 1980s and it would seem Scott Adkins is that old school of an actor with just enough charm in combination with physicality to pull off the role. Robert Knepper serves well as a caricature villain (and it’s always good to see Knepper in any role) but for all that works with Adkins and Knepper, the movie does wear out its welcome and the film is a good 15 minutes too long not to mention a pointless sequence while the end credits rolled which was basically B-footage of Adkins touring Bangkok (I expected to see a cameo from Jean-Claude Van Dam).
Still, for all that doesn’t quite work, Hard Target 2 at least is passable entertainment especially for fans of the genre. There’s some nice fun behind the dumb plot and the fight choreography was well done, especially the one between Truong and Mitra (who, by the way, was vastly underutilized). The film was directed by Roel Reiné who seems to be the go-to guy for the DTV market having helmed 12 Rounds 2, Death Race 2-3 and The Condemned 2 to name a few. |
SPECIAL FEATURES – 2.5/5 |
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This release comes with a glossy, title-embossed, slip cover. Inside is a DVD Copy and a redemption code for the Digital HD copy. Audio Commentary – Director Roel Reiné provides the primary portion of this commentary with the others, such as Scott Adkins and Robert Knepper, amongst others, chiming in via speaker phone. It’s a fairly in-depth track and if you’ve listened to Reiné’s other commentaries, he gives info on location shooting and even the production budget (FYI it was $4.5 million). Deleted Scenes (9:47; HD) – There are six scenes trimmed or cut, though nothing of note nor anything that would’ve made any better, just longer. Deleted Shots Montage (1:59; HD) is just a collection of some random footage. A Fighting Chance: The Making of Hard Target 2 (5:13; HD) takes viewers behind the scenes and includes on-location interviews with the cast and crew as they discuss the plot and characters. Hard Target 2: Through the Lens (2:43; HD) is another BTS featurette on the fast-paced production and the director’s process, Into the Jungle: On Location of Hard Target 2 (2:25; HD) looks at filming in Bangkok. Thrill of the Hunt (3:13; HD) – This mock featurette includes the actors who portray the hunters in-character. Previews – Jarhead 3, Free State of Jones |
VIDEO – 4.5/5 |
| Universal Pictures Home Entertainment releases Hard Target 2 shown with a 1.78 widescreen aspect ratio and a 1080p high-definition transfer. Detail looks sharp throughout and colors appear to be bright and vibrant. It might not be reference quality work, but pleasant looking nevertheless especially for a low budget direct-to-video flick. |
AUDIO – 4.5/5 |
| The disc comes with a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track which showcases the more action-packed sequences where the depth shows and each channel is utilized to the fullest degree. Dialogue levels sounded crisp and clean and the music/score by Jack Wall (known for video games) comes through fairly well. |
OVERALL – 3.25/5 |
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Overall, Hard Target 2 isn’t a half-bad DTV flick though it is pretty standard fare and probably went on a good 10-minutes too long. Still, Scott Adkins makes for a serviceable action hero with the right amount of charisma to pull off the role while seeing Robert Knepper playing a villain is always a welcome. The Blu-ray release offers great audio/video transfers and for what it is, there’s a nice amount of features. |
Check out some more screen caps by going to page 2. Please note, these do contain spoilers.