Human Target (2010–2011) User Reviews (54)

Silly, enjoyable fun.

[huwbutts · 8/10 · 27 February 2010]

After seeing terrific shows such as Life and The Unit cancelled, it's nice to find something to fill the void. Human Target does this effectively, creating a show that doesn't take itself too seriously - it's like watching a comic come to life.

Over-the-top fights, grin-inducing action sequences and the banter between Mark Valley et al (including some fantastic guest stars) will keep you smiling through the episodes' "villain of the week" plots. Hopefully the writers will make more of the arcs in the future, which would add a little depth to a show that's already hugely entertaining - which, if you're anything like me, is just what you need after coming home from work. Recommended.

action, heart and sentimental

[idleprimate · 8/10 · 15 April 2010]

this show is a distilled Indiana Jones kind of adventure, except where indie has a dark past. I've been watching all season, and from the first, it was fun and easy to watch--light fluff that does the trick when you need down time. But as the season progressed and you got a better feel for the characters, you got drawn into the old school adventure romance of it--transient heroes for those in need. redemption of the irredeemable. the scalawags you root for. there is a very archetypal sense to our cavalier protagonists, and it hearkens back to the kind of heroes i remember growing up, who were themselves retrofits of 30's heroes. I think this was very intended, even down to the motifs in the scoring. It's interesting to reject the modern sense of antihero, by mythologizing people who should be antiheroes but are not--its a classic idea that never gets tired--the noble person born out of sin. or maybe its just manipulative pablum. hey, if you're gonna watch television. . .

The finale paid off too, I really hope this series gets renewed.

Watchable.

[sagei · 9/10 · 27 January 2010]

Not something you can say about most things on TV. Valley, mcbride and haley get along well together. Can't believe the idiot they had valley playing in boston legal.

He's cool yet tough. Smart but soft spoken. None of that abrasively obvious tough guy crap. Am fed up of "gritty". This guy is good natured and doesn't even abuse his enemies, just eliminates them when necessary. He's smoother than bourne but not as oily as bond.

In short he feels real despite the larger than life antics which are on par with the aforementioned two. The cgi is OK, action is good. The stories are coherent. Credibility is stretched with the manner in which he accepts payment but it's forgivable.

3 episodes in still find it worth watching. Do worry about it's longevity because the action could get old really quickly. Still, wish valley and this show the best.

My action fix

[Anionic_Surfactant · 5 March 2010]

I get the sense this show is made by smart people. It's not an intellectual show but it doesn't insult my intelligence like so many action movies. It is as advertised and as expected and as is made clear from the first ten seconds of every episode. The last one I watched had Mark Valley diving through the air within the first ten seconds of the show.

This show certainly doesn't leave me thinking about it afterwards. I watch it, it makes me feel good and I go do something else. It has a certain cheeseless charm. I feel when I start watching the show gives me a promise of giving me some good action, a little bit of information on the protagonist's past, some fun interaction between the three main characters and a few new characters. This never feels forced, it's the nature of the show. When I watch a Michael Bay movie I expect some romance, a kissing scene, some sexy scantily clad ladies, some car chase scenes and a lot of explosions but he's putting it in there because he feels like it. We expect it but we expect it because we know he's gonna force it in there regardless of the story.

I remember how people used to talk about every episode of The West Wing being like a small movie. The Human Target is the same but in the action genre. They came up with a good formula for a show, they had a great concept, they hired likable and talented stars, the direction is straightforward, the production values are extraordinarily high. Why even mention the flaws? A show is supposed to make you feel a certain way and give you a certain something. The Human Target delivers.

I imagine The Human Target's episode formula is gonna start to bore me eventually but I have trust in the people running this thing for some reason. I get a strong feeling watching it that the people in charge of this know what they're doing. Maybe I'm wrong.

Catch a great action flick every week - this is not your average TV show

[Cinemik · 10/10 · 3 February 2010]

Human Target is a creative action adventure with quick wit and intelligence. Whether you're into the hard-hitting, fast pace of a big screen action flick, the complex intrigue of a spy novel, or the kind of wry humor that makes you feel like you're sharing an inside joke, this show is for you.

Each episode is an action-packed adventure capable of standing on it's own, out of sequence and separate from the others. Yet, there are deeper layers to be explored, with hints of sub-plots intertwining though each installment, piquing your curiosity and leaving you wanting more.

Human Target is one of the best new shows in years. It even raises the bar with a great opening sequence created in a more cinematic style, invoking images of Bond, Bourne, and others like them.

Spread the word. Don't let this one get away.

007's Much Cooler Brother

[billseper · 10/10 · 18 January 2010]

Honestly, I had no idea this was coming and know very little about the show's star, Mark Valley. While I'm a little old to care about TV shows that fit the "action" genre, I have to admit this was quite a thrill ride and a fun one at that.

Valley stars as Christopher Chance, a sort of private eye with a penchant for taking chances (living up to his name). Actually, if there's one thing this pilot lacked it was background info. I'm assuming we'll be filled in a little at a time as the show progresses throughout the season. For now, we'll have to be content to know very little and discern the rest about Chance's firm.

There's a wise cracking, tough guy element to Chris Chance, but not in an adolescent way. It's more of a "I'm smarter than you, but I won't hold it against ya", approach not unlike the role Robert Conrad played in The Wild Wild West. In fact Valley reminds me very much of Conrad. Neither are terribly big guys, but their tougher than nails attitude combined with real life experience (Conrad was an able boxer, and Valley was a West Point grad with martial arts training) allows them to play these kinds of roles with great aplomb and relative ease. It takes a man with a certain swagger in his step to capture the attention of viewers in an action show, and Valley has it in spades.

Despite the show's uninventive title, it has the kind of punch that combines the wit and wisdom of The Wild Wild West with action writing comparable to Robert Ludlum's Jason Bourne novels. Throw in a bit of 007 and a couple of Macgyver moments (ala the rigged parachute scene) and you've got at least a small bit of what this show has to offer. I haven't been this excited about an action show since Tales of the Gold Monkey. Let's hope it doesn't suffer the same fate.

Awesome Action Thriller

[jonathangetz · 10/10 · 7 January 2011]

This review will be brief. Human Target is a show that has good acting and a good story line. It has enough action to be a movie, and that makes the show a keeper. I'm not sure what it takes to keep a show like this on the air, but it has been one of my favorite TV series ever. Christopher Chance, the main character, was a professional assassin, and is now a bodyguard for hire. The past of the team is used to easily write new episodes, and keeps the show from exhausting ideas for story lines. Like other reviews have said, Christopher Chance is a great mix between James Bond and Jason Bourne. This movie is not 100% action though. Human Target also has comedy and some romance intertwined.

BRING THIS TV SERIES BACK!!!

[davidwoo-14482 · 8/10 · 7 January 2018]

Hot women, chivalry, actors who know how to fight and actors who know how to act. This outstanding, well choreographed, action packed, captivating, drama/romaction TV series is well produced and of course even more well thought out. The writers in this TV series took the time to create a story that keeps the audience engaged throughout each episode; you will never be bored on any given episode, this is a promise. It takes a the action from Burn Notice, John Wick, The Bourne Series, and blends them with the drama from Suits. You might ask how the hell they did it but they did it! Unfortunately the series has ended (not clear on the reason why but all they said was low viewership).

I applaud Mark Valley, Jackie E. Haley, Chi McBride, Indira Varma and Janet Montgomery for putting forth the amazing efforts they did to produce such astounding characters with enriched history and the way how each character is displayed it seems as though they all just clicked and harmonized in acting very well. This cast of actors was done right. Hoping they bring this amazing TV series back with, hopefully, the same amazing actors and actresses.

Granted yes this is a comic based TV series to which loosely follows the comic book series. However I believe the story line portrayed compensates and speaks for itself. It's a series you do not want to miss out on. I promise you you will not be disappointed. Sub-par with Game of Thrones, on par with John Wick.

Good show ruined by the network

[Alpha_PL · 6/10 · 12 February 2011]

Human Target was a good show. It had, and for the most part still has, a good cast. Chance perfectly plays a laid-back hero-for hire, same for McBride who plays Winston, Chance's voice of reason, and Haley, the wild card of the group. Each episode of season 1 was like a mini James Bond movie. Everything was pretty predictable, but the clever writing, great acting of both main players and guest stars and extremely bad-ass stunts and action sequences made it and enjoyable TV show to watch.

Then season 2 came around and everything collapsed like a house of cards. FOX was not satisfied with the ratings and the fact that the male oriented cast didn't appeal to women, so they had the show retooled. The two new additions to the cast were horrendous, both characters served as nothing more than road blocks in the story lines, one in a typical TV show fashion was always screwing up the assignments and the other (the boss of the whole Human Target detective agency) was always complaining about how Chance does his business. Not to mention that the love-interest storyline for the nagging boss and Chance was completely unnecessary for the show. The biggest blow for me was the fact that the awesome cliffhanger from the season 1 finale was wrapped up in about five second and completely forgotten for the remainder of the season 2. The fact that there were maybe three episodes in season 2 that weren't completely cliché-ridden and badly written didn't help either.

As I'm writing this review FOX hasn't yet announced if 'Human Target' returns for the third season or not, but if the show remains in Matt Miller's hands, I say put it out of it's misery.

Excellent "Bodyguard with a mysterious past" Series

[rajuk84 · 10/10 · 9 February 2010]

this is a truly excellent show. although a single episode appearance on fringe, mark valley leaves a strong impression here with his witty, strong, intelligent, suave , and, for a change, a non-horny American spy-cum-bodyguard. each episode takes a lethal premise, and spins a charming spell on it, where action and humor go hand in hand. chi McBride and watchmen's Rorschach share a hilarious laurel-hardy relation, and u cant help but smile wen McBride has to accompany valley in the "field"... i just love this show... each episode has an attractive woman which doesn't gets screwed by our hero, and for American shows, that's truly a rarity. i've read it's based on a comic, and i hope it gets a wee bit darker... 2 thumbs up...

Sad it got cancelled

[Hitchslapped · 7/10 · 12 June 2021]

Here I am reviewing this a decade after release. I am sad there aren't more episodes but I understand why it got cancelled. Season 2 was much worse than the first season. The inclusion of Ilsa Pucci just killed the show. She felt completely out of place and it was annoying to see her tag along in every episode like some adrenaline tourist. Ames, the thief, would've been fine but they didn't really know what to do with her.

I doubt they would've kept Pucci on the show for much longer after season 2 but we will never know.

I say thee, shenanigans.

[alanrayford · 9/10 · 14 February 2011]

"Human Target" (HT) is damned good television. When an episode is lacking, it still manages to be an above average action romp with slight comedic elements. But when it's working, the show isn't like anything else on television. In all honesty, it's more like a big budget, action film on the tube. Yet, this isn't getting good ratings, which puzzles me. But before I cover this, I just want to acknowledge what makes HT so great.

The first season worked primarily due to charisma and interaction of the three leads. All of the primary actors nailed their roles. Christopher Chance (Mark Valley) is the headliner with a shady past. A pretty boy/face breaker, he's an expert on keeping people alive due to him formerly being an expert on taking people out of the equation. Guerrero (Jackie Earle Haley) is a walking oxymoron. He looks like a nerd, but has a real mean streak and the skills to back it up. Winston (Chi McBride) is more or less the straight man. Large and in charge, he's the rational one who points out just how ludicrous some of the circumstances they find themselves in are. Season two saw the addition of Ames and Ilsa Pucci. Ames (Janet Montgomery) is a thief and serves as the rookie of the team. Even though she's just starting out, she has enough moments to let you see she can pull her weight. Ilsa Pucci (Indira Varma) is the moneybags who enables all the fancy equipment and air travel. She's also an absolute stranger to the world she's entered and serves as a reason for most of the craziness to be explained for the audience.

The action is better than what's found in most summer movie fare. There are car chases. There are really cool shootouts. Blow-up-able objects have a tendency to fulfill their purpose. There was even a passenger jet flying upside down, all to put out an onboard fire. But hand to hand is the soup du jour, and HT delivers with bone-crunching satisfaction. All I can say is Valley really knows how to sell a punch. He also really knows how to sell a kick, an elbow, a knee, a headbutt and any combination/variation of the basics.

The writing on HT makes each episode into a fully developed story and not just a juxtaposition of loosely related scenes. Characterization is tight, consistent and never betrayed for the sake of the plot. The threats are almost always interesting and well balanced against the good guys. The structure of an episode can't be taken for granted. Sometimes an episode starts well into the storyline, and we have to catch up via flashbacks—as in season one's "Baptiste". Other times an episode is more chronological in nature, but throws a seriously wicked curveball—just like in season two's "Kill Bob". Through it all is a very wicked and subversive humor that permeates every line of dialogue and every punch thrown. For the most laughs, however, you can never go wrong with Winston and Guerrero. The two are extraordinarily mismatched. This leads to any number of insults, threats and snide remarks that feel like two stand-up comedians sniping away at each other.

Yet, despite all of this, HT doesn't get the ratings. And, this is what puzzles me. I hear the most coveted demographic for advertising dollars are adult males, age 18-34. Yet, this show, which is tailor made for us, is struggling? I was talking to someone about this, and she brought up a valid point.

In the box office, the proof is in ticket sales. This is why the biggest blockbusters of a year are always action oriented. Check out the haul of 2008's "Dark Knight" vs. "Mamma Mia". Bruce Wayne stomped Abba's arse. But on television, success isn't determined by cold, hard cash. It's determined by ratings.

Isn't it odd that in the theaters, properties like "The Bourne Identity", "Spiderman", "RED" and "Inception" rule the roost? Yet, on TV, shows like "Human Target", "Detroit 187", and "Chase" struggle, while "Glee", "The Good Wife", and "Grey's Anatomy" rock out. So the same people who pay to see movies, don't watch television? It seems rather incongruous.

Maybe the television execs are wrong about the strength of their preferred demo. Maybe we don't watch TV, even though the Superbowl is the biggest programming event of the year. It's entirely possible guys really could be immersing themselves in overly dramatic, masculinity challenged narratives. Who the hell am I to judge? On the other hand, there could be another reason for the discrepancy between the big and small screen.

You can't give the over 100 million dollars generated by the "Dark Knight" to "Mamma Mia" or "Sex & the City". A ticket sale is a cash medium that involves thousands of people. However, in this digital age you could probably skew TV ratings like no one's business. Like all data, it can be interpreted, misinterpreted or even faked any which way but lose. Anyone who's taken basic statistics knows this.

Does anyone know of any males, age 18-34, that regularly watch "Glee", what with the singing and dancing? If not, then how could it be a success without us? So is it then possible the failing of action driven shows like HT and the success of menial fare like "Glee" could be due, in no small part, to fraud in both how the ratings are collected and construed.

I'm really pulling for "Human Target" to be renewed. It's one of those rare shows that actually delivers in a way standard TV generally doesn't. It's always a blast checking in on Chance and company, and a third season can deliver the success this property deserves. However, if this second season is the last one, it's been a swell ride and I've said my piece.

i liked it

[angelorwez · 7/10 · 16 August 2022]

It has that person of interest feel...except less sophisticated...

the pacing is great...it's an anthology...so expect all the anthological elements...

some episodes are very very good...some are meeeh...it kept me watching though...i liked it...

the action is great...the guy does look like a tough guy...the cast is great...well suited...

it's a pretty good show...it's good.

It's getting ridiculous

[emailshenjun · 5/10 · 26 November 2010]

In short, season 1 is entertaining. Season 2 is just getting ridiculous. A former assassin changed his side and decided to save people instead of killing them, which is OK. Season 1 actually has exemplified this idea pretty well.

Now I don't know what the producers and writers were thinking to introduce two regular female characters. Just to satisfy people's desire to see some pretty faces talking about how they feel and what is right or wrong in the middle of life and death business? Congratulations! You just kill the spirit of the show. In Chance's business you have to stay focused to stay alive and keep "the target" alive. Any mistake or hesitation will surely cause severe consequences. If you don't get lucky every time in reality then you shouldn't in a TV show! Bring some sense of reality. A show is entertaining only if it feels real. This isn't about Equal Rights. We have three male characters, so we have to throw in two females, a billionaire widow and a pretty thief? I would say they will just get Chance killed faster. Two former assassins and ex-police officer, that's the right skill set you are looking for to run the business. Maybe another former female assassin? The widow is just ridiculous. Just because she funds the operation so she has to be involved in each step? Come on, this is not sight-seeing tour. People can get killed. And the thief, I don't see her value either.

And please don't do the last minute saving cliché again. Don't let the bad guys talk too much to get themselves killed. Finally, as I said we don't get lucky every time in reality and they shouldn't either in a TV show.

Amazing series, just sad to see it not continue

[oipluckie-543-610185 · 22 September 2011]

I started to watch this show not too long ago, and I have to say, I was surprised I haven't seen it sooner. A very good action series with a bit of comedy and depth to the characters. As you get further into the series, the characters' background starts to get more interesting. Oh and for those that like that bit of romance, it's in here too.

My favorite characters so far would have to be Guerrero and Chance. Just great to see two characters with such different personalities, working together and showing such loyalty to one another. Each episode just pulls you in, and making you want more, it's just too bad they're cancelling the series because "lack of viewers".

It's a top notch action series, that should be continued. I haven't seen a series like this in awhile with this kind of depth, story, action, and acting. I hope it somehow gets renewed, because honestly this is a really good show.

Why must we continue to suffer Reality TV

[kmustain36 · 9/10 · 23 May 2011]

Below is a rant that I have been bottling in for some time. Should you read further, I will not blame you should you disagree. I just needed to get a few things off my chest.

Why is it that FOX will do everything in its power to back reality based shows and continue to stifle promising shows such as Human Target. Yes this show had flaws, but the acting was decent and the story line was intriguing. I may be naive, yet I still believe that we as viewers deserve well written shows without the distaste of inflated human drama that has been reality TV. I think that we can grow from the train wreck syndrome of not being able to pull away from people making complete jerks of themselves for pay and start to realize that there is still novel ideas out there and intelligent writers. Reality TV has its place in game shows and the odd hidden camera series that draws upon the young and the old viewers. The time slots of 7pm to 10pm should still be reserved for reserved for shows that entertain. Instead I have to resign to watching DVR of shows on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday to avoid this seemingly endless onslaught of contrived melodramatic human tragedy known as Reality TV.

Awesome!

[danieldwilkinson · 9/10 · 2 September 2020]

This was really cool, alot of funny moments. Guerrero was my favorite character! He knew the secrets of the enemies, had all the connections, and was just a straight up bad ass! I also liked ames a lot(maybe because I just got done watching salem). Who played a bad ass witch in the show i just mentioned.

"my name is christopher chance"

[edwbur · 10/10 · 27 December 2010]

i had pretty good hopes to this show. i expected a show that would be OK but a one season runner. boy was i wrong. i got way more than what i was expecting. this show is amazing. in this show they have great mysterious characters. and you keep watching this show not just for the action and entertainment, but the answers to the questions you have. you have 3 characters (chance the bodyguard), (Winston the business man), and (Guerrero the best of them all). the most interesting character of the show is Guerrero. Guerrero is a loyal friend to both Winston and chance, and working with them to help chance and Winston any way he can. but you don't really know what side he is on. because he says he does side jobs for other clients. you don't find out if there good or bad. also he has different methods to getting the job done. like not being afraid to kill unlike chance and Winston. chance kills but that would be hi last resort basically. there was this one episode where Guerrero was working for another client and they black mailed Guerrero to get dirt on Winston and chance. when he found out he went back to the client and wanted to know who they are working for. he didn't tell him and as he walked to his car Guerrero shot him in the back and head and killed him. that shows he is trying to protect chance from his horrible past ( you'll find out his past in the last episode of season 1) and protecting Winston from getting in the middle. watch this show season 2 is going on now and season 1 is out on DVD.

Most enjoyable Movie-like Show on TV

[redcatbmw · 10/10 · 29 December 2010]

Every episode of Human Target is like a fun-filled mini-action flick. The acting is excellent with Mark Valley playing the redemption seeking Christopher Chance, Chi McBride playing the responsible manager and friend of Chance and Jackie Earle Haley playing the "immoral good guy", Guerrero who is extremely resourceful.

The first season was very entertaining and the second one continues the trend with the introduction of two new characters who have added a new dimension to the show.

The show is full of great action sequences interspersed with comedy and generally good plots.

I wish more TV shows were based On Comic Books like Human Target. The show can be enjoyed by both kids and adults as it is pure, unadulterated fun.

Fun and attractive series filled with unstopped action , thrills and surprising intrigues

[ma-cortes · 7/10 · 1 November 2020]

This entertaining and charming series deals with the fearless Chistopher Chance : Mark Valley , a tough , two fisted bodyguard working in an expert organization for protecting unfortunate clients by secretly infiltrating their lives . As undercover Chance often races against time to solve his twisted and complicated cases , as he becomes embroiled in tumultuos incidents with plenty of struggles , noisy action , fists and gun fights . Along other collaborators as the sinister Guerrero : Jackie Earle Haley as a computer whiz who uses his particular abilities and intelligence as a counterstrike spy , defending his contenders without a struggle. In addition, a retired police inspector called Winston : Chi McBride . All of them form an unbeatable and invincible team . He is a guardian, not an angel. Paid to protect , the rest is just for fun.

This series contains frenetic action, violent fights , crosses and double-crosses as well as spectacular set pieces . Being based on the DC Comic Books characters created by Carmine Infantine and Lein Wein .Formed by 21 episodes in two seasons with full of suspense , frantic action , intrigue , thriller and surprises . Mark Valley gives a likable acting as the Man who seems to his emotion on protecting people from all walks of life . He uses all kinds of weapons , assuming several identities as solicitor, , monk or sportsman and his modus operandi results to be a blending of intelligence and brute force, as well as his peculiar skills in McGiver style . Along with Chi McBride who acts mostly as back-office , furthermore , the previous mobster and computer wizard Jack Haley and subsequently the gorgeous rogue Janet Montgomery and the economic financer Indira Varma . As in the first episode Chance has to protect a mechanical engineer : Tricia Helfer , who designed first Bullet Train , capable of reaching speeds up to hundred miles an hour , in the second episode Chance needs to protect a client he has never met from a killer aboard a passenger plane , in third one Chance becomes involved at the Russian Embassy about an international weapons deal, in the Fourth one Chistopher helps a reformed thief at a Canadian Monastery , recover a priceless religious book and avoid a merciless revenge by a nasty crook : William Mapother . While in fifth episode Chance is contracted to protect a District Attorney who is escaped from his past and marked for killing because of his investigation into an organized crime family , finally ,the Sixth deals with Chance who must rescue a person is being held against his will by the company he works for , because he wants to reveal that this company gave one of the arms to a country that's an enemy of the USA.

The series in 25 episodes was well produced by Jonathan Steinberg and paticipating notorious guest stars such as : Emmanuelle Vaugier , Lennie James , Danny Glover , Kristen Lehman , Cortney Ford , Lee Majors , Erick Avari, Amy Acker , Mark Moses , Roger Bart , Cameron Daddo, Molly Parker , Chris Mulkey , William B. Davis, , Bruce Ramsay , Kenneth Welsh , James Remar , Tracy Thoms, Ty Olssen , M.C. Gainey, Dylan Neal, Mitch Pileggi, and several others . Being directed by professional filmmakers as Steven Boyum, Kevin Hooks , John Cassar , Mimi Leder, Bryan Spicer , Simon West , David Barret , Paul Edwards , Peter Lauer , Guy Ferland , Craig R Baxley , John Terlesky , among others.

Writer Steinberg takes this one up a notch

[A_Different_Drummer · 8/10 · 17 February 2014]

While you may never expect to see beefcake Mark Valley (playing "Chance" in this series) accepting an Oscar, he is perfectly cast for the role of the sassy and wisecracking hero of this short lived but entertaining actioner. Another reviewer compared his character to 007s younger brother. Not so much. But go for Bruce Willis' younger brother and we could have a deal. The casting is universally strong but I confess it was a delight to see Jackie Earle Haley back in harness. His work in Watchmen was stellar and he deserves more screen time. The deal closer is writer Jonathan Steinberg who does not merely "try" to take the dialog up a notch (as is the case with many series today, including current ones) but actually succeeds.

an A-Team for the 21st century

[quinoble · 6/10 · 16 December 2010]

That pretty much says it all. There's no plot worth the name; it might as well be the same from episode to episode.

Dialogue? What dialogue? You forget what the characters are saying even as it's being said.

Yet it works if you're looking for something totally brainless. It's easy, breezy, and it moves from point A to point B at breakneck speed. Every five minutes the characters are busting out automatic weaponry, breaking into (or jumping out of) buildings, or being chased by an army of mercenaries; sometimes all three at the same time. What's not to like?

In a production like this the charisma of the actors is all-important and fortunately the casting directors made the right choices. Mark Valley is charmingly insouciant as the easygoing protagonist Christopher Chance. Chi McBride provides a great contrast as Winston, the perpetually grumpy ex-cop who's Chance's business partner, and Jackie Earle Haley is superb as the weaselly-looking Guerrero, who does the dirty work. In season 2 the producers clearly realized that there was too much testosterone and added two attractive women to the team: Indira Varma, playing the elegant but steely-willed billionaire Ilsa Pucci, and Janet Montgomery as the scrappy thief Ames. Both are welcome additions.

In the original Human Target (starring Rick Springfield), Christopher Chance actually impersonated his clients, which made for some interesting storytelling. Sadly this is not the case in the remake.

The show makes light of torture (hey, it is a FOX show after all), which I find objectionable.

Those points aside, "Human Target" is shallow, mindless fun. However, unlike most other shallow, mindless entertainments, it doesn't take itself very seriously at all, and yet it's not too trashy, which are the keys to its enjoyability.

Very underrated

[higgins-30372 · 8/10 · 8 July 2021]

I watched every episode and was very disappointed when this was cancelled. All these characters were very interesting and the cast was perfect. I wish they could have had a last season to tie up all the storylines.

not bad !

[whizboy3501 · 6/10 · 19 February 2010]

It's been nice watching Mark Valley play the all American Tough guy.

The cast looks in-sync,I'm seeing Chi after a long time.

CGI is very good for a "TV" show.Comedy and the one-liners are well written.Action sequences are a little far fetched but in the end Christopher Chance does the job well.Also looks like there's a backdrop plot about his traumatic past. Into 6 episodes so far, I must say my interest is wavering.

Let's hope the writers come up with something to hold the viewer to them because action alone won't be enough, we got enough of the cool stunts from Pierce Brosnan's James Bond.

Need some Jason Bourne from you Valley!!

season 1 8/10, season 2 0/10

[fast-giga · 5/10 · 6 October 2017]

This TV show is cut in half like no other. It wasn't very successful in the first season, so they changed all which was good and replaced it with absolute crap.

The first season is really good. Interesting characters, interesting, to some degree even unpredictable stories. Good action, and a very healthy mixture of humor and action. Not too funny to be ridicules and not to try-hard serious at the same time.

The 2nd season is unwatchable. Every single scene with the Ilsa character induces brain bleeding and the certain wish of their cruelsome death. Its the same every single time: Team does something scary, dangerous or illegal Ilsa: 'Oh no, you cant to that, thats scary/dangerous/illegal.' One of the team: 'But this is the only way, because of reasons.' Ilsa: 'Oh. OK, I still don't like it, this is the last time you do such scary/dangerous/illegal thing.' 5 mins later, repeat.

Many TV shows undergo a certain amount of changes to find the perfect mixture, which is understandable. The producers of this one just wanted to skip such a lengthy process and instead of taking small steps to see how it turns out they changed the very fundamentals of the series from one moment to the next.

I would've wished for another seasons like the first one, but after the 2nd I'm glad is over.