Please note: This advance review was written and posted in July 2009, days before a screening of the pilot episode at the Comic-Con International in San Diego, California. As such, it is likely that some details and elements of the pilot have changed since that initial cut, so be aware that this review may be of an older version.
The Human Target premieres on Sunday, January 17, 2010 on FOX before settling into its regular Wednesday timeslot.
It takes a brave, selflessman to make himself a “human target” in order to save the lives of those in danger. Based on the popular DC Comics graphic novel, HUMAN TARGET is a full-throttle action drama centered on CHRISTOPHER CHANCE (Mark Valley, FRINGE), a unique private contractor/security guard hired to protect. Call him what you like, because for Chance, it’s about one thing only: saving his clients’ lives. When there is an unusual or imminent threat that can’t be solved through “normal” means of protection, Chance is hired to completely integrate himself into his clients’ lives – to become the human target. If you’re a corporate manager whose disgruntled employee has gone violently off the deep end, Chance is your new auditor. If you’re the president of a bank who’s been tipped off to a potential heist, Chance is your unassuming bank teller. During each job, Chance, assisted by his business partner WINSTON (Chi McBride, “Pushing Daisies”) and hired gun GUERRERO (Jackie Earle Haley, “Watchmen”), puts himself directly in the line of fire as he races against time to save his client, while unraveling the truth behind the mission. With every new danger, Chance’s dark history will also unravel. Does anyone know who Christopher Chance really is, or what secrets lay buried in his past? What would make a man willingly become a HUMAN TARGET?
This is how FOX describes the upcoming television series Human Target, loosely based on the DC Comics series of the same name. This is actually not the first time Human Target has been adapted for TV - ABC tried it with actor Rick Springfield in the early 1990s - but this time around, the franchise is given a lot more budget and promotion, with a very well-rounded cast.
Unfortunately, while looking quite cool from the various promos we've seen for the show online, those who are familiar with the Human Target comic books may be in for a little disappointment. Aside from the lead character's name of Christopher Chance and perhaps some of his motivations, there's very little connection to either the original DC comics or even the Peter Milligan psychological thriller series that came out from the Vertigo imprint a few years ago.
It's kind of disappointing, because the idea that the "Human Target" could have a different appearance every week - but still have the same base personality - is a very unique one, and almost a complete reverse of what FOX does with Dollhouse, a series where the character looks the same yet has different personalities every time we tune in. I understand for marketing purposes, they would want to stick with the same lead (Fringe's Mark Valley) every week, but with these changes it seems to become Random Protector Guy instead of The Human Target. That's really too bad.
The action and effects in Human Target, as in the preview, are top-notch. There are some explosions and fights, although most of the action takes place on a super-train designed to cut the commute between San Francisco and Los Angeles by several hours.
Battlestar Galactica's Tricia Helfer guest stars as a woman Chance is protecting. She and Valley have good chemistry and if the actual series has visible guest stars at her same level, it will add to the action. There is also a surprise cameo by a veteran of an action film franchise series as a client of Chance's near the episode's end.
Pushing Daisies' Chi McBride and the always excellent Jackie Earle Haley round out the cast as Chance's associates Winston and Guerrero, respectively. McBride does well despite having some dialogue that seems forced; Haley yet again gives himself another alternate appearance that separates him from past roles like the Watchmen's Rorscach and creates a character that is his own. I really am looking forward to seeing him in the upcoming Nightmare On Elm Street remake. The casting folks at Human Target really hit their mark in casting three excellent actors as the series regulars. Naming Chance's dog "Carmine" after Human Target co-creator Carmine Infantino was a nice touch.
Writer Jon Steinberg previously created Jericho, which was one of the best short-lived series of recent years. There were a lot of great characters in that one and I'm pretty sure Human Target will evolve into something just as strong. While Christopher Chance didn't do the "wearing masks" thing that I still think the show should do, the character is written in such a way that I'm curious to learn more about him, and I hope we do as the series continues.
I do worry about some of the dialogue - particularly between Chance and his associate Winston - almost being predictable and cliched, but perhaps that is what a pilot episode needs in order to set everything up. I also think there were attempts at humor that weren't totally "sold" for me yet... for example, is Chance crazy or just a little goofy? But maybe that will tone itself down or even itself out as the series goes on. The mix of eccentric characters and action reminds me in a way of USA's Burn Notice, although I think Human Target has a much better lead actor.
Human Target has the potential to be a big hit for FOX if it's guided right. Premiering on the same night as 24 definitely won't hurt it, but the big test will be to see how many people continue to tune in after the first night. I for one am very happy to see another DC Comics adaptation on the small screen; I just wish it resembled its four-color counterpart a bit more. With all of that said, though... give it a look... it could be one of the surprise breakout hits of the new season.
Advance Review: The Human Target Pilot Episode
Human Target has the potential to be a big hit for FOX if it's guided right. Premiering on the same night as 24 definitely won't hurt it, but the big test will be to see how many people continue to tune in after the first night. I for one am very happy to see another DC Comics adaptation on the small screen; I just wish it resembled its four-color counterpart a bit more. With all of that said, though... give it a look... it could be one of the surprise breakout hits of the new season.