Why So Blu?

Target (Blu-ray Review)

This one’s been flying under the radar for decades, but this Target Blu-ray review is exactly the kind of reminder it deserves. Target (1985) pairs Gene Hackman and Matt Dillon in a tight, globe-trotting thriller that mixes family drama with cold war paranoia. When Donna Lloyd (Gayle Hunnicutt) is kidnapped during a trip to Europe, her son Chris and husband Walter are forced to work together despite their strained relationship, chasing leads across unfamiliar territory. What starts as a rescue mission slowly unravels into something bigger, and a lot more dangerous. 

 

Film ★★★

Arthur Penn directs this like a slow-burn that’s constantly on the verge of snapping. It opens grounded, almost domestic, then gradually widens into something colder and more uneasy. Gene Hackman plays Walter as a man you never quite get a full read on, and that tension carries the film. Matt Dillon, on the other hand, comes in hot with that restless energy, and the push and pull between them becomes the real engine of the story. It’s less about the rescue at times and more about what’s been buried between them.

That father-son dynamic is where Target finds its footing. There’s friction, confusion, and a sense that neither really knows who the other is anymore. Dillon plays that frustration well, especially as things spiral and the stakes start to shift. Hackman keeps things tighter, more controlled, but you can feel something simmering underneath. When the film slows down, those moments land. When it speeds up, it’s a bit more uneven.

I liked Target for the most part. It does the globe-trotting angle fairly well, and there’s a certain edge to it, especially in the final stretch where things take on a more stylized, almost baroque feel. At the same time, I do prefer Arthur Penn’s Night Moves quite a bit more. This one never fully shakes that “okay” feeling. The film is over 40 years old now, and the locations in France and Hamburg lean more worn-in than glamorous. That actually works in its favor at times, but it also keeps the film from ever feeling truly elevated.

As a first-time watch, this lands right in the middle. There’s enough here to keep you engaged, especially with Hackman anchoring things, but it never quite breaks through into something memorable. The pacing drifts here and there, and the payoff, while solid, doesn’t hit as hard as it could have. Still, for an underseen 80s thriller, it’s easy to see why it has its fans. It just didn’t completely click for me beyond being a decent, occasionally intriguing ride.

Video ★★★★ 

NOTE: Stills are provided for promotional use only and are not from the Blu-ray.

Encoding: MPEG-4 AVC

Resolution: 1080p

Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1

Region: Free

HDR: N/A

Layers: BD-50

Clarity and Detail: This doesn’t appear to be a full restoration, but it still comes through as a solid, slightly above-average presentation. Detail is consistent, with close-ups showing decent texture in faces, clothing, and environments. It never quite reaches that “wow” level, but it holds steady without falling apart.

Depth: Depth is respectable, especially in exterior shots across Europe. There’s a mild sense of separation between foreground and background, though it can flatten out in some interior scenes. Nothing distracting, just not particularly striking either.

Black Levels: Black levels are stable for the most part, though they lean a bit soft in darker scenes. Shadow detail is present but not always as deep or inky as you’d want, which gives certain sequences a slightly muted look.

Color: Colors feel natural and grounded. This isn’t a flashy presentation, and it shouldn’t be. The palette leans subdued, fitting the film’s tone and locations. There’s no noticeable boosting or artificial saturation, which works in its favor.

Flesh Tones: Flesh tones look accurate throughout. Skin textures come through cleanly, without any odd shifts or inconsistencies. Nothing jumps out in a bad way.

Noise and Artifacts: Light grain is present and handled well, giving the image a filmic texture. There are occasional soft patches and minor inconsistencies, but compression is solid overall with no major artifacting issues.

 

 

Audio  ★★★★

Audio Format(s): English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, LPCM 2.0 Stereo

Subtitles: English SDH

Dynamics: The DTS-HD 5.1 track gets the job done, but it’s not aiming to impress. Dynamics are fairly restrained, with only occasional bursts during action moments. Most of the film plays in a steady, controlled range that fits the tone, even if it never really opens up.

Height:
N/A

Low Frequency Extension: Low end is present but subtle. There’s a bit of weight during chase scenes and moments of tension, but nothing that really digs deep or adds much impact.

Surround Sound: Surround activity is light. You’ll notice some environmental cues in outdoor scenes and a bit of movement during action sequences, but the track stays mostly front-focused. It supports the film without drawing attention to itself.

Dialogue: Dialogue is clear and easy to follow throughout. That’s where the mix shines most. Voices come through cleanly and consistently, which is important for a film that leans heavily on conversation and character interaction.

 

Extras  ★★

Imprint Films keeps things fairly lean here, but there’s still a bit to dig into. The standout is the new audio commentary by film critic Adrian Martin. It’s the most substantial extra on the disc, offering context on Arthur Penn’s direction, the film’s place in his career, and how Target fits into that mid-80s thriller landscape. If you’re looking for insight beyond the film itself, this is where you’ll get it.

The archival interviews are a different story. Featuring Gene Hackman, Arthur Penn, and producers Richard D. Zanuck and David Brown, these feel very much like promotional pieces from the time of release. They’re short, to the point, and don’t go especially deep. You get some surface-level reflections and a bit of behind-the-scenes flavor, but nothing that really expands your understanding of the production in a meaningful way.

That said, there’s still value in having them included. Even brief, these vintage interviews capture the film in its original moment, which always adds a layer of context. They just don’t carry the kind of weight or depth collectors might be hoping for.

Overall, it’s a modest package. The new commentary does most of the heavy lifting, while the archival material rounds things out without pushing it over the top.

 

Special Features 

 

• NEW Audio commentary by film critic Adrian Martin
• Archival Interviews with actor Gene Hackman, director Arthur Penn, and producers Richard D. Zanuck & David Brown 

 

Summary  ★★★

At the end of the day, this lands right in that middle zone. The film itself is decent, the presentation is slightly above average, and the extras do just enough to round things out without elevating the package. For fans of Gene Hackman or Arthur Penn, there’s definitely value here, especially with the limited nature of the release. If you’re a collector, this is an easy pickup before it disappears. If you’re just curious, it’s a solid watch, just don’t expect it to blow you away. This Target Blu-ray Review ultimately reflects a release that’s good, just not quite essential.

I do prefer Arthur Penn’s Night Moves much more, which I covered in more detail over on my Substack HERE. 

You can also browse more of our Blu-ray reviews HERE.

 

Target is now available on Blu-ray from Imprint Films!

 

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