Genres

Visitors Review

2012-05-24 08:37:11

cheesy, very dated, and well... the beginning of a great career

I don't know exactly when Jason Bateman started his career, but after watching Arrested Development the last several years (reruns of course) I wanted to tune into Moving Target to find out what he looked like as a teenager. WOW, haha. He looks pretty much the same as he does now, except he's much smaller, and I THINK I remember Jason Bateman being somewhat of a chick magnet for all the teenage girls out there back in the late 80's. Anyway, while I didn't expect Arrested Development-type quality while watching Moving Target (or a comedy for that matter) I can't say this movie does a whole lot of things differently from all the other similar "run from bad guys- shoot bad guys" movies that are out there. The only difference in this film compared to the many similar ones from the same time period is that Bateman plays a teenage boy in this movie as the main character, and he has to run from the bad guy that supposedly has connections to the mob and forces Bateman's parents to change their names and where they live. Why didn't the parents tell Bateman about any of this and instead waited for him to return home from summer camp to find out his parents no longer lived there, so Bateman's character has to be worried sick and constantly confused? I have no idea. Maybe a case of bad parenting. Actually I think it's because Bateman chose to skip summer camp and he ran away early to return home. Maybe the parents WERE planning to tell him when he arrived home.Anyway, it's somewhat cheesy as far as the acting is concerned, but because it's an older film there's something somewhat appealing about the occasional sloppy writing and acting skills. I liked it. Bateman went on to much much MUCH better things (such as Arrested Development) but this movie ain't bad for what it is.

The_Void 2012-05-14 14:22:32

Decent lightweight thriller

Moving Target is basically the epitome of the term of 'enjoyablethriller'. It offers no substance and you won't remember much of it forlong after it finishes; but it's fun to watch, and that's the importantthing. The film is a made for TV movie, and so doesn't feature anyspectacular stunts or heavy violence; and instead relies on the storyand suspense to pull it through...which unfortunately doesn't alwayspay off as director Chris Thomson doesn't succeed in ensuring that thefilm is always interesting. Anyway, the plot focuses on Toby Kellogg; ateenage kid that gets sent to music school during the summer. Hedoesn't enjoy it much while he's there, and when he finds out that hisband has enjoyed some success in his absence; he leaves the school andsets off home. However, he's surprised when he gets there and findsthat his parents have shipped out...along with all the furniture. Thenext thing Toby knows, he's been hunted down; by both the cops and amean assassin that drives a Ferrari. Toby struggles against hispursuers while trying to find out what happened to his family.The film very much feels like a product of it's time; and a low qualityeighties vibe runs throughout it. This isn't helped by the lead actor.Jason Bateman cuts a rather irritating figure in the central role. Hetries to play it as the typical disrespectful kid; but looks too oldand comes off looking a bit silly. The film is not overly suspensefuleither, and there were many times that I found myself not really caringwhat was going to happen next; and this is not good in a film thatrelies on suspense to keep itself afloat. Perhaps most disappointing ofall is the way that the chase aspect of the plot is handled; the leadcharacter never really seems to be in a lot of trouble and JackWagner's Ferrari-driving villain is more hilarious than imposing. It'sall pretty predictable too; and only a rather dark scene that sees akid killed in cold blood offered any sort of surprise. Still, despiteall the negative elements; Moving Target simply offers the viewer achance to switch their brain off for ninety minutes and enjoy...and itdoes at least work as light entertainment.

Tom Willett 2012-05-13 22:10:22

So you come home from school and your parents have moved...

This is one summer camp musical that starts off like a teen comedy butbegins to take some turns unexpectedly. Jason Bateman is well cast as atypical young teen kid from a middle class family. He is an adequatemusician and he has plenty of friends.His experiences at summer camp give us an insight into his musicalweaknesses and his talent for finding trouble. His life takes a majorchange just as he is beginning to find some fame as a maybe rock star.Action begins when the story is only into its first 15 minutes and theaudience is taken for an adventurous ride. There is no bad language ornudity. This one is family safe. It is a little scary at times andthere are some fine stunts with cars and people. It all looks topnotch.Jason at times reminded me of someone when he smiled or turned his heada certain way during the movie. It took me awhile to recognize who itwas he resembled. If anyone is familiar with the smile of JoeDallesandro during his youthful days, that is the same smile we see onJason here.I bought this one at Big Lots for $3. It seems to be part of a bigcloseout special from M-G-M. Highly recommended at any price.If you like this I also recommend Emil and the Detectives if you canfind it.Tom Willett

kim_smoak 2012-05-13 06:08:00

Moving Target...loved it!

I didn't really have high expectations for this movie…in fact, I don'teven know why I watched this movie because it really didn't lookappealing to me…but I'm glad I did. It was actually a very well donemovie. It of course is an 80's movie…and it does have the cheesymusic...but the plot was VERY good. It was suspenseful, and it wasthrilling. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the movie...and Iwas trying to figure out what was going on throughout the movie. Itwill keep you guessing until the very end. Jason Bateman was amazingand may I say adorable as a teenager. If you enjoy a good thriller, agood story, and Jason Bateman...you'll love this movie! For daily moviereviews visit: kimsmoak.com now!

Gary Wilkie 2012-05-12 16:12:09

Surprisingly Good

The film has a decent enough plot which keeps concentration and is in placesinteresting and exciting, being a TV film. The reasons behind the main plotis slightly disappointing and the film fails to deliver at intervals, butoverall it is a reasonably enjoyable TV movie.

2012-05-10 03:20:59

Moving Target

This review is from: Moving Target (DVD) I found this to be an intrieging suspense thriller with a minimum of violence and a happy ending. This is a rare combination in recent releases. I found it well excepted and enjoyed by teen age audiences.

2012-05-09 14:29:02

Jack Wagner Rocks

Jack Wagner is excellent as he plays against type as the evil hitman in this NBC telefilm from 1988. Worth seeking out for Wagner's performance alone.

2012-05-03 14:12:58

Thank you for Releasing it!!!!!

I loved this movie as a kid and I am so happy the powers that be have decided to release it finally! If you want to see a great 80's movie, this is it!

Kari 2012-05-02 23:22:49

Great movie, how do I get it?

This movie has it all - fast cars, foot chases, girls in bikinis- total guymovie. I give it two thumbs up. I had as much fun watching this movie asworking on it! In the "pool party" scene, those are my legs you seewalkingup the little brick steps. Have been wondering for years if the movie wasin circulation, and how I could see it again or buy it.

2012-04-26 22:55:57

Slow dull "classical" 1980's style movie

2 stars of 5 for this slow dull "classical" 1980's style movie. This movie has a young Jason Bateman in the lead. Very very very slow and dull with a few moments of bad 1980's style music. To our relief the background music (which is very annoying) is kept to a minimum. Though it attempts to be an action/suspense movie, it achieves neither. I'd suggest skipping this movie.

2012-04-26 13:02:56

Jack Wagner Plays The Heavy To The Hilt

This film originally aired on NBC in February, 1988. It is notable forbeing Jack Wagner's first telefilm. He had recently left GeneralHospital and soap stardom and was coming off a national tour of "WestSide Story" when he did this film. In it, he plays against type and isthe villain hit-man. This was a refreshing change since he had foundstardom as the hero/good guy Frisco Jones on daytime television. A verywell-done made for TV movie that is also notable for being one ofChynna Phillips' early roles as she stars as Jason Bateman'scharacter's girlfriend in the film. They don't show this on TV veryoften - if at all - but it is worth seeking out to see many of it'sstars when they were young and just getting started.