Though your attention may be focused this Sunday on the NFL Playoffs or the return of 24, be sure to catch the pilot of action thriller ‘Human Target’ on Fox. It is one of the most entertaining action dramas to appear in quite some time.
Christopher Chance (Mark Valley, Fringe) is a bodyguard who helps to protect people whose lives have been threatened. Instead of attempting to stop an assassination attempt before it begins, Chance’s approach is to create a trap for the assassin by allowing them to believe their target is unguarded before moving in to neutralize them.
It is a dangerous game and we have to wonder why Chance chooses to play it this way rather than attempting to use more traditional and less risky investigative methods. In the first episode it is hinted that he may have a death wish while later there are some suggestions that he may have something in his past that he wishes to atone for. The question of his motivations, coupled with the unspecified origins of his skills, adds a little mystery to a show that is otherwise quite straightforward.
Mark Valley is excellent in the role and makes for an entertaining lead you want to root for. Called upon to perform some very physical action sequences, Valley convinces as an action hero while his comic timing remains as sharp as it was during his tenure as Brad Chase on ‘Boston Legal.’
Chance is supported by his long-suffering business partner and manager, Winston, who makes arrangements with clients and tries to keep Chance from killing himself. Chi McBride plays the part and will be recognizable to fans of ‘Pushing Daisies’ as the grumpy private eye Emerson Cod. Winston is a similar character in many ways, sharing some of the same grumpy and cynical disposition, and bickering with the other regulars. McBride is no stranger to this templated role yet still delivers an enjoyable take without making Winston feel rehashed.
The third and final component of Chance’s team is hacker and tech expert Guerrero. He is played by Jackie Earle Haley who was memorable as the masked sociopath Rorschach in last year’s Watchmen and was Academy Award-nominated for his portrayal of a pedophile in 2006’s ‘Little Children.’
Based on the character’s mild manners and typical computer geek exterior it is initially hard to see why Winston should so strongly disapprove of Guerrero joining the team. We soon learn however that Guerrero may have a hidden dark streak. In one of the first episode’s most memorable exchanges, diminutive Guerrero stands up to two tough guys and explains why they don’t want to mess with him. Watching these two seasoned thugs back off and retreat we are left with the sense that Guerrero may be much more dangerous than he initially appears.
The first two episodes do a good job of establishing the team and showing them hard at work. In Sunday’s pilot episode we see Chance board a high-speed train to protect a businesswoman played by Battlestar Galactica’s Tricia Helfer, while the following episode sees Chance and Winston take to the skies onboard an airliner to protect a client they have never met.
Both episodes’ scenarios are enjoyable and set up some exciting action moments. Less successful though are the attempts to pull twists as many are hinted at a little too early. Accordingly viewers should expect to be a couple of steps ahead of the characters throughout the episodes. Fortunately though the show’s action is entertaining enough that it does not need to rely on the element of surprise to maintain interest.
Human Target’s production values are superb and there is no noticeable drop-off in either the quality or quantity of action sequences between the pilot and second episode. Both episodes contain a nice variety of action including hand-to-hand combat, performing dangerous maneuvers with a vehicle and performing a daring leap before an explosion.
Starting with the series’ second episode, there is also a fun nod to the Bond films in the series’ superb intro sequence which brings to mind the great Maurice Binder opening titles. It is a really fun touch that definitely helps to set the mood.
Based on the first two episodes, ‘Human Target’ is a series that shows some promise thanks to its impeccable casting and some thrilling action sequences. If repetition can be avoided then the show ought to be one to target in 2010.
– Aidan Brack
Human Target begins Sunday on Fox at 8/7c, shows its second episode on Wednesday Jan 20 at 9/8c before switching to its regular timeslot of Wednesdays at 8/7c starting Jan 27.
