DVD Corner

Human Target Season 1 DVD Review

“Human Target” will please action junkies.

“Human Target” revolves around an ex-assassin codenamed Christopher Chance who has gone freelance as a sort of bodyguard/contractor/mercenary/security expert who can go undercover to get a job done. Aiding him on the job are his partner/former police officer Winston and another rogue ex-assassin named Guerrero. In these 12 episodes, plots involve Chance posing as a prize fighter, a Monk, a Japanese-English translator/bodyguard, Chance protecting a district attorney, a computer genius, and Chance attempting to rescue/find an anthropologist and a Doctor. Other episodes and subplots revolve around current past associates of Chance such as Winston and Guerrero, an ex-assassin named Baptiste and Chance’s former boss named Old Man.

“Human Target” seems to have it all. It’s an action-packed, cinematic show with a charming lead cast consisting of star Mark Valley, supporting actor Chi Mcbride (of “Pushing Daisies” fame) and scene-stealer Jackie Earle Haley (who recently played Freddy Kruger). So, what’s the problem? The show burns itself out by becoming fairly routine. Within 3 episodes, you already know what to expect. Sure, there are a few twists and turns along the way, but you know what the characters will probably do in a situation, and you know there will be an over-the-top action sequence (such as the plane flip and parachute jump off a train). With that said, it’s still hard not to get caught up into the show even it becomes a tad tiresome mid-way through the season.

On a side note, “Battlestar Galactica” fans may want to take notice of this show as several alumni (Grace Park, Tricia Helfer and Alessandro Juliani) make appearances and the brilliant composer Bear McCreary also does the score for the show.

Summary: If you’re a fan of action television shows, you will certainly want to check out season 1 of “Human Target.” Be on the lookout for season two in Novemeber on Fox.

The widescreen picture quality is noticeably sharp looking for a DVD. As I mentioned earlier, this is a very cinematic looking show and it definitely shows in the way it is shot.

The Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track does a great job blasting composer Bear McCreary’s great score and the explosive action.

Extras:
* Commentary on the pilot episode by Mark Valley, Chi McBride, Jonathan E. Steinberg, and Peter Johnson. Lots of talk about shooting in Vancouver, casting, the score, behind-the-scenes tidbits, Mark Valley speaking Japanese,
* Deleted scenes from the episodes “Embassy Row,” “Sanctuary,” and “Christopher Chance.”
* “Human Target: Confidential Informant”- A featurette that talks about adapting the comic books to television, the changes that were made in the adaptation process, the core characters.
* “Human Target: Full Contact Television”- A featurette on the action/stunts.

October 10, 2010 - Posted by nicklyons1 | DVD review | Human Target Season 1 DVD Review