The film has a decent enough plot which keeps concentration and is in places interesting and exciting, being a TV film. The reasons behind the main plot is slightly disappointing and the film fails to deliver at intervals, but overall it is a reasonably enjoyable TV movie.
19 Reviews
Mid-80's television thriller with Jason Bateman
Wuchakk23 November 2014
Released to TV in 1988, "Moving Target" is a mystery/thriller about a teenager (Jason Bateman) who unexpectedly comes home to California from music camp in Michigan only to find his parents' home deserted, including all the furniture. What happened? Chynna Phillips plays the maybe-girlfriend and the always-reliable Tom Skerritt co-stars as the father.
Being a TV movie, there are obvious breaks for commercials but, other than that, this is a solid drama/thriller, particularly if you like the cast. Everything about the movie screams mid-80 – the electronic drums, the haircuts, the clothes. This in itself is entertaining. Anyway, it's nothing great, but it works for what it is.
The film runs 100 minutes and was shot in S. California.
GRADE: B
Being a TV movie, there are obvious breaks for commercials but, other than that, this is a solid drama/thriller, particularly if you like the cast. Everything about the movie screams mid-80 – the electronic drums, the haircuts, the clothes. This in itself is entertaining. Anyway, it's nothing great, but it works for what it is.
The film runs 100 minutes and was shot in S. California.
GRADE: B
Decent lightweight thriller
The_Void27 May 2009
Moving Target is basically the epitome of the term of 'enjoyable thriller'. It offers no substance and you won't remember much of it for long after it finishes; but it's fun to watch, and that's the important thing. The film is a made for TV movie, and so doesn't feature any spectacular stunts or heavy violence; and instead relies on the story and suspense to pull it through...which unfortunately doesn't always pay off as director Chris Thomson doesn't succeed in ensuring that the film is always interesting. Anyway, the plot focuses on Toby Kellogg; a teenage kid that gets sent to music school during the summer. He doesn't enjoy it much while he's there, and when he finds out that his band has enjoyed some success in his absence; he leaves the school and sets off home. However, he's surprised when he gets there and finds that his parents have shipped out...along with all the furniture. The next thing Toby knows, he's been hunted down; by both the cops and a mean assassin that drives a Ferrari. Toby struggles against his pursuers 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 quality eighties vibe runs throughout it. This isn't helped by the lead actor. Jason Bateman cuts a rather irritating figure in the central role. He tries to play it as the typical disrespectful kid; but looks too old and comes off looking a bit silly. The film is not overly suspenseful either, and there were many times that I found myself not really caring what was going to happen next; and this is not good in a film that relies on suspense to keep itself afloat. Perhaps most disappointing of all is the way that the chase aspect of the plot is handled; the lead character never really seems to be in a lot of trouble and Jack Wagner's Ferrari-driving villain is more hilarious than imposing. It's all pretty predictable too; and only a rather dark scene that sees a kid killed in cold blood offered any sort of surprise. Still, despite all the negative elements; Moving Target simply offers the viewer a chance to switch their brain off for ninety minutes and enjoy...and it does at least work as light entertainment.
The film very much feels like a product of it's time; and a low quality eighties vibe runs throughout it. This isn't helped by the lead actor. Jason Bateman cuts a rather irritating figure in the central role. He tries to play it as the typical disrespectful kid; but looks too old and comes off looking a bit silly. The film is not overly suspenseful either, and there were many times that I found myself not really caring what was going to happen next; and this is not good in a film that relies on suspense to keep itself afloat. Perhaps most disappointing of all is the way that the chase aspect of the plot is handled; the lead character never really seems to be in a lot of trouble and Jack Wagner's Ferrari-driving villain is more hilarious than imposing. It's all pretty predictable too; and only a rather dark scene that sees a kid killed in cold blood offered any sort of surprise. Still, despite all the negative elements; Moving Target simply offers the viewer a chance to switch their brain off for ninety minutes and enjoy...and it does at least work as light entertainment.
Great movie, how do I get it?
jimnkariyoung30 June 2001
This movie has it all - fast cars, foot chases, girls in bikinis- total guy movie. I give it two thumbs up. I had as much fun watching this movie as working on it! In the "pool party" scene, those are my legs you see walking up the little brick steps. Have been wondering for years if the movie was in circulation, and how I could see it again or buy it.
teen movie from the '80s
blanche-222 October 2014
Had to see this because of love Jason Bateman, Tom Skerrit, and Chynna Philips, and I always like to see Jack Wagner. How could I miss with "Moving Target"? Answer: I didn't. It's actually a good action film. Bateman plays Toby Kellogg, a teen musician with a band whose parents send him to Interlochen Music Camp against his will. Unbeknownst to him, the Justice Dept. is investigating the office where his father (Skerrit) works, and his dad is somehow involved.
Toby has chosen Megan Lawrence (Chynna Phillips) to replace him in the group and, while at Interlochen, he sees that they've made the newspaper. Excited, he leaves Interlochen early. When he gets home, the place is empty; his family has disappeared.
Toby tries to get info, but there are people after him. One is a mob hit man (Wagner) who wants to kill him, and the other faction is people from the Justice Department who want to help him. He doesn't know that, though, so he's running from everyone.
I really enjoyed this film. It's not Citizen Kane but it is entertaining, with a good performances, particularly by the young Bateman.
Toby has chosen Megan Lawrence (Chynna Phillips) to replace him in the group and, while at Interlochen, he sees that they've made the newspaper. Excited, he leaves Interlochen early. When he gets home, the place is empty; his family has disappeared.
Toby tries to get info, but there are people after him. One is a mob hit man (Wagner) who wants to kill him, and the other faction is people from the Justice Department who want to help him. He doesn't know that, though, so he's running from everyone.
I really enjoyed this film. It's not Citizen Kane but it is entertaining, with a good performances, particularly by the young Bateman.
Better than average TV teen movie.
mark.waltz31 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
In the musical "Chicago", the character of Amos Hart talks about going to school one day and when he came home to find out that his parents had moved. That's what happens to Jason Bateman when he goes to summer camp as a punishment and returns, to find out that the family is gone allegedly on vacation and has taken the furniture with them. No clothes left behind to indicate that they ever lived there, even his. It turns out that there are some agents on his trail, and they are out to kill him in order to call the family out of hiding. His father's business associate John Glover goes out of his way to help him, but hey, it's John Glover. When has he ever been trustworthy in a movie?
When I read the plotline, it sounded really silly but it is written intelligently and has good performances. Jack Wagner, then a romantic heartthrob on "General Hospital", is the villain this film and quickly revealed to be the murderer, helping whom he assumes is Bateman out at a party and then soon realizes his mistake. This film is filled with suspense and a lot of doubt that basement and get out of this situation. It's gimmicky in a typical 80's teen movie way, and the plot is a bit convoluted, but once you get into the film, it really holds your attention. Chynna Phillips, not one of my favorite 80's and 90's celebs, is surprisingly effective. One issue that did cause a bit of confusion is the slight resemblance between Bateman and Wagner in spite of their age differences.
When I read the plotline, it sounded really silly but it is written intelligently and has good performances. Jack Wagner, then a romantic heartthrob on "General Hospital", is the villain this film and quickly revealed to be the murderer, helping whom he assumes is Bateman out at a party and then soon realizes his mistake. This film is filled with suspense and a lot of doubt that basement and get out of this situation. It's gimmicky in a typical 80's teen movie way, and the plot is a bit convoluted, but once you get into the film, it really holds your attention. Chynna Phillips, not one of my favorite 80's and 90's celebs, is surprisingly effective. One issue that did cause a bit of confusion is the slight resemblance between Bateman and Wagner in spite of their age differences.
Tolerable 80s teen action movie
michaeljhuman25 July 2014
I liked the 80s vibe here, because I like 80s movies.
Don't expect much, but I was impressed with Jason Bateman and he went on to do a lot of stuff.
It's your typical teen comes home to find family gone movie, if there is such a genre. Some OK action.
Plot is about what you expect from an 80s action movie, turn your brain off or go MST3K on it. But it serves the purpose.
Dialog is the weakness here I think, there's no imagination here, no flair.
Music is pretty standard 80s synth pop, but hey they actually show the girl playing a Yamaha DX7 synth, one of the most important 80s synthesizers. I would bet that the music in the movie used this same synth as the E Piano sound in one of the songs sounds like the DX& e piano.
Don't expect much, but I was impressed with Jason Bateman and he went on to do a lot of stuff.
It's your typical teen comes home to find family gone movie, if there is such a genre. Some OK action.
Plot is about what you expect from an 80s action movie, turn your brain off or go MST3K on it. But it serves the purpose.
Dialog is the weakness here I think, there's no imagination here, no flair.
Music is pretty standard 80s synth pop, but hey they actually show the girl playing a Yamaha DX7 synth, one of the most important 80s synthesizers. I would bet that the music in the movie used this same synth as the E Piano sound in one of the songs sounds like the DX& e piano.
dumb kid
SnoopyStyle10 March 2022
Toby Kellogg (Jason Bateman) is off to summer music camp. It's not going well but his band is blowing up. He decides to run home and see his girlfriend Megan Lawrence (Chynna Phillips). His businessman father (Tom Skerritt) had uncovered that his company is laundering mafia money and turned states evidence. The family is going into witness protection but the police misses Toby at the camp. Both the cops and the mob are after him. Dobbins (John Glover) is the lead Justice Department agent.
The police should be saying that Toby is in danger to all his friends. It's like they've never dealt with teenagers. No kid is going to talk to the cops unless there is a good reason. They aren't going to rat him out for no reason. Second, Toby is being dumb although I put that down to him being a teenager. He needs a good reason to stay away from the cops. The danger is only there because he's being an idiot. Anyways, it's more compelling to follow the story from Toby's point of view. The audience should not be ahead of him in this case. As a TV movie, this is better than most and it's not a lesson-of-the-week type teen movie.
The police should be saying that Toby is in danger to all his friends. It's like they've never dealt with teenagers. No kid is going to talk to the cops unless there is a good reason. They aren't going to rat him out for no reason. Second, Toby is being dumb although I put that down to him being a teenager. He needs a good reason to stay away from the cops. The danger is only there because he's being an idiot. Anyways, it's more compelling to follow the story from Toby's point of view. The audience should not be ahead of him in this case. As a TV movie, this is better than most and it's not a lesson-of-the-week type teen movie.
Jason on the run
bkoganbing16 July 2017
Jason Bateman stars in this made for TV film about a rock and rolling kid who goes off to a music camp. While gone Bateman's dead Tom Skerritt who works for a big investment house in San Francisco turns federal witness against his employer who has been laundering mob money for decades. Tom Skerritt and the rest of the family go into witness protection, but Bateman who has run away from the long haired music in the old fashioned sense at the music camp is in the winds.
When he gets home he finds a house stripped bare and no one knows where the family is. But both the Justice Department in the person of John Glover and a mob hit man Jack Wagner are both after him. Bateman does not know who friend or foe is, so he has to keep a Moving Target.
It was interesting to see Glover as a good guy for once and soap opera hunk Jake Wagner is a truly terrifying amoral hit man. As a movie Moving Target obeys the first rule of movie making, it moves.
Bateman is good also as a truly clever and bright kid, which should make one fear for the security of witness protection.
Fans of the above named players should like this.
When he gets home he finds a house stripped bare and no one knows where the family is. But both the Justice Department in the person of John Glover and a mob hit man Jack Wagner are both after him. Bateman does not know who friend or foe is, so he has to keep a Moving Target.
It was interesting to see Glover as a good guy for once and soap opera hunk Jake Wagner is a truly terrifying amoral hit man. As a movie Moving Target obeys the first rule of movie making, it moves.
Bateman is good also as a truly clever and bright kid, which should make one fear for the security of witness protection.
Fans of the above named players should like this.
Remembering the dogs' name: Come here, Comehere! (1988)
stonedraim5 June 2016
Warning: Spoilers
**** May contain strong spoilers ****
This is a review made by StoneDraim... and that means that if you want to read a probably different kind of review, keep reading....
This is my personal experience, my personal point of view/perspective and my personal opinion... and my opinion is just one of like 7 billions in this world.
As I love Jason Bateman as an actor and seen this movie before in my youth, I decided to watch it again. I have to say that MR. Bateman either has a full blown talent as an actor that has followed him from youth to today, or Jason has worked extremely hard in becoming a great actor. I can sense his fear and emotionally roller-coaster in this motion picture. I would say near to some kind of a nominee... Academy Award...? As a TV-movie it starts kind of straight on with classic 80's music as a band plays; saxophone and the whole kit. Really good editing as the music follows the drummer; when he or she hits the cymbal, it also happens in the music. Then a guitar and/or saxophone takes over and a typical chopper view of an American city is displayed. As the guitar sounds off a rescue siren is faded into the guitar and the music is faded out. Solid editing there.
There are moments in this motion picture that brings back a lot of nostalgic emotions. The formulaic way of being overexplicit with a "dangerous and mysterious" synthesizer "carpet" rolls out in an environment that could be plain and simple in harmony and good in all ways; a man sitting by his desk by the end of the day with the computer and compares something from a paper sheet. And so the production team is clear that the audience register and apprehend that this is a "dangerous thriller", they roll out the music. Today, often, it is in the opposite way. The music enhances the conception of the audience; that is true art and a work of masterminds to in advance think and work out how the viewers probably will feel, and then letting the music and sounds sort of amplify that impression.
Little fun fact: about 58 minutes and 20 seconds into the movie, the title "Moving target" is mentioned in a line. How many movies has the title mentioned fully and exactly?
Detail I like: Dobbins has got the cold (or something). Is it any reason for writing into the script that the agent Fred Dobbins should have a cold? No. That is what I like. Realistic touch.
Oh, oooh... a noticed mistake in script: Toby Kellogg (Jason Bateman) should be out to Interluchen Music Summer Camp for 8 weeks. He calls back home after four weeks (a month as they say in the movie). Then he calls again some time afterwards and say that he having a hard time lasting for another five weeks. As far as I know, five plus four equals nine........... Movie mistake nr. 2: As the friend is leaving the party, Tim Sutcliffs (Jack Wagner) Jeep is standing in front of the red sports car. Even so, when the shot is taken with the two in the sports car, Jeff (Bernie Coulson) drives straight forward. If he had done that, he would have driven straight into the Jeep.... big goof.
Full formulaic TV-movie from the 80's here. Fades out when gone to commercial, with a intense film soundtrack grabbing hold of the viewer just in time to cut to commercial. Great to see! Brings back memories! The sound of a printer in the background working to destroy all evidence... the telephones answering machines... what nostalgic moments!
As a little apostrophe to Miami Vice, this movie is a fully testimonial of the entire decade of the 1980's movie and TV production. If you wondered what music they were listening to, how they dressed and so on... watch "Moving Target" from 1988. Wonderful!
One liner that made me laugh hard: Toby: They took the trip... split... moved...took a powder. David (Claude Brooks): Maybe they just went on vacation Toby: With the furniture?
Over to the movie as a product: - The production : Typical 1980s production. Well made with an outstanding way to display and showcase contemporary modern society from clothing, accessories, interior design, music and language.way of displaying the - The actors : Tried to push hard and squeeze the best out of the actors with a budget of a TV- movie. Chris Thomson made a splendid performance here. John Glover is putting out the impression that he is feeling comfortable as Dobbins; feels genuine. - The story : In fact, a simple and innovative story. Young man escapes from summer camp just to come home to an empty home... and all the fears around that. This could make a Academy Award nominee if updated and more worked through in a renewed version. Maybe with Jason Bateman himself as the father...? Andy Tennant and Ed Hunsaker came up with a little pearl to be polished. - Entertainment : Enthralling and stirring. Very much the deed of Mr. Bateman, as he conveys the feelings and emotions to the viewer. How would you feel if you came home to a totally empty home and everybody seems to have vanished? - Age : 15
6,9 out of 10. (The final rate is based most on my own entertainment of the movie. Short elucidation of the rating: 7 Well made movie. Proper entertainment. 6 Nice production. Good movie.)
This is a review made by StoneDraim... and that means that if you want to read a probably different kind of review, keep reading....
This is my personal experience, my personal point of view/perspective and my personal opinion... and my opinion is just one of like 7 billions in this world.
As I love Jason Bateman as an actor and seen this movie before in my youth, I decided to watch it again. I have to say that MR. Bateman either has a full blown talent as an actor that has followed him from youth to today, or Jason has worked extremely hard in becoming a great actor. I can sense his fear and emotionally roller-coaster in this motion picture. I would say near to some kind of a nominee... Academy Award...? As a TV-movie it starts kind of straight on with classic 80's music as a band plays; saxophone and the whole kit. Really good editing as the music follows the drummer; when he or she hits the cymbal, it also happens in the music. Then a guitar and/or saxophone takes over and a typical chopper view of an American city is displayed. As the guitar sounds off a rescue siren is faded into the guitar and the music is faded out. Solid editing there.
There are moments in this motion picture that brings back a lot of nostalgic emotions. The formulaic way of being overexplicit with a "dangerous and mysterious" synthesizer "carpet" rolls out in an environment that could be plain and simple in harmony and good in all ways; a man sitting by his desk by the end of the day with the computer and compares something from a paper sheet. And so the production team is clear that the audience register and apprehend that this is a "dangerous thriller", they roll out the music. Today, often, it is in the opposite way. The music enhances the conception of the audience; that is true art and a work of masterminds to in advance think and work out how the viewers probably will feel, and then letting the music and sounds sort of amplify that impression.
Little fun fact: about 58 minutes and 20 seconds into the movie, the title "Moving target" is mentioned in a line. How many movies has the title mentioned fully and exactly?
Detail I like: Dobbins has got the cold (or something). Is it any reason for writing into the script that the agent Fred Dobbins should have a cold? No. That is what I like. Realistic touch.
Oh, oooh... a noticed mistake in script: Toby Kellogg (Jason Bateman) should be out to Interluchen Music Summer Camp for 8 weeks. He calls back home after four weeks (a month as they say in the movie). Then he calls again some time afterwards and say that he having a hard time lasting for another five weeks. As far as I know, five plus four equals nine........... Movie mistake nr. 2: As the friend is leaving the party, Tim Sutcliffs (Jack Wagner) Jeep is standing in front of the red sports car. Even so, when the shot is taken with the two in the sports car, Jeff (Bernie Coulson) drives straight forward. If he had done that, he would have driven straight into the Jeep.... big goof.
Full formulaic TV-movie from the 80's here. Fades out when gone to commercial, with a intense film soundtrack grabbing hold of the viewer just in time to cut to commercial. Great to see! Brings back memories! The sound of a printer in the background working to destroy all evidence... the telephones answering machines... what nostalgic moments!
As a little apostrophe to Miami Vice, this movie is a fully testimonial of the entire decade of the 1980's movie and TV production. If you wondered what music they were listening to, how they dressed and so on... watch "Moving Target" from 1988. Wonderful!
One liner that made me laugh hard: Toby: They took the trip... split... moved...took a powder. David (Claude Brooks): Maybe they just went on vacation Toby: With the furniture?
Over to the movie as a product: - The production : Typical 1980s production. Well made with an outstanding way to display and showcase contemporary modern society from clothing, accessories, interior design, music and language.way of displaying the - The actors : Tried to push hard and squeeze the best out of the actors with a budget of a TV- movie. Chris Thomson made a splendid performance here. John Glover is putting out the impression that he is feeling comfortable as Dobbins; feels genuine. - The story : In fact, a simple and innovative story. Young man escapes from summer camp just to come home to an empty home... and all the fears around that. This could make a Academy Award nominee if updated and more worked through in a renewed version. Maybe with Jason Bateman himself as the father...? Andy Tennant and Ed Hunsaker came up with a little pearl to be polished. - Entertainment : Enthralling and stirring. Very much the deed of Mr. Bateman, as he conveys the feelings and emotions to the viewer. How would you feel if you came home to a totally empty home and everybody seems to have vanished? - Age : 15
6,9 out of 10. (The final rate is based most on my own entertainment of the movie. Short elucidation of the rating: 7 Well made movie. Proper entertainment. 6 Nice production. Good movie.)
Jack Wagner really shows his stuff here!
jameslculp19 June 2019
Much better than your average TV movie
synthprincess3 July 2020
I'm watching a marathon of Jason Bateman movies and I was really pleased with this one. For a made for TV movie, this is one in a million. The plot is concise, the actors are all talented and the movie as a whole really keeps your attention throughout. I really felt the sadness and confusion that Toby's going through over his missing family. I liked the whole "not knowing who to trust" point of view AND there's actually a lot of really good action in this movie. There's car chases, people jumping from buildings, scary hit men. And it seemed like Jason was doing all his own stunts, which were many.
Pros:
80's cuties
Action
Drama
Mystery
Cons:
Actress who plays Mrs. Kellogg seems half asleep.
Movie drags on a bit in the middle before getting to the point.
I gave it a 9/10 because it highly exceeded my expectations and I got to stare at 18 y.o. Jason Bateman for 90 minutes :)
I gave it a 9/10 because it highly exceeded my expectations and I got to stare at 18 y.o. Jason Bateman for 90 minutes :)
entertaining
myriamlenys5 January 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Although young Toby Kellogg was sent on an expensive music camp by his parents, he feels too cool for school. Longing to rejoin his budding pop group, which has become rather bolshie in his absence, he sneaks away and travels back to his native city. Upon arrival he makes a shocking discovery : the whole of his family seems to have gone with the wind...
"Moving Target" is a mystery thriller. It is not entirely easy to figure out its target audience : young adolescents, older adolescents, fully grown adults ? Some of the events depicted seem too dark for frothy family fun, while seasoned movie goers will have no difficulty in guessing the reason behind the Kelloggs' sudden disappearance. The depiction of youth culture, or of a certain type of youth culture, isn't all that impressive either.
Still, the movie does have charm, just like its young protagonist, and the central premise is intriguing. Moreover, the protagonist needs to solve a variety of practical puzzles, which results in some fine instances of lateral thinking. (For instance, what do you do if you find yourself in a strange city and if you need, absolutely need, to get to a certain address in no time flat ?)
There must be millions of parents who dream of skipping town before their teenage children realize what's going on. For people blessed with teenagers who rehearse music at home the temptation must be ginormous.
"Moving Target" is a mystery thriller. It is not entirely easy to figure out its target audience : young adolescents, older adolescents, fully grown adults ? Some of the events depicted seem too dark for frothy family fun, while seasoned movie goers will have no difficulty in guessing the reason behind the Kelloggs' sudden disappearance. The depiction of youth culture, or of a certain type of youth culture, isn't all that impressive either.
Still, the movie does have charm, just like its young protagonist, and the central premise is intriguing. Moreover, the protagonist needs to solve a variety of practical puzzles, which results in some fine instances of lateral thinking. (For instance, what do you do if you find yourself in a strange city and if you need, absolutely need, to get to a certain address in no time flat ?)
There must be millions of parents who dream of skipping town before their teenage children realize what's going on. For people blessed with teenagers who rehearse music at home the temptation must be ginormous.
Very very good for a TV movie
whatch-1793123 September 2020
By today's standards, this would be a decent feature.
It's solid and very engaging. Bateman is solid as is Skerrit. It won't stand out as the best of the 80's as a feature, but it does stand out as a strong lesser offering.
All these kids feel very real.
It's not perfect, of course. Jason Bateman does feel a bit old for the rebellious self centered kid he is playing. But, whatever, yes it isn't perfect, but it gets far more right than it gets wrong. The kids he deals with do feel very real, even the one with obvious moral shortcomings. Obvious as an adult, but kids as convincing kids. And this obvious kid with obvious kid failings pays a very real price, which he certainly as a dumb kid does not deserve.
It's solid and very engaging. Bateman is solid as is Skerrit. It won't stand out as the best of the 80's as a feature, but it does stand out as a strong lesser offering.
All these kids feel very real.
It's not perfect, of course. Jason Bateman does feel a bit old for the rebellious self centered kid he is playing. But, whatever, yes it isn't perfect, but it gets far more right than it gets wrong. The kids he deals with do feel very real, even the one with obvious moral shortcomings. Obvious as an adult, but kids as convincing kids. And this obvious kid with obvious kid failings pays a very real price, which he certainly as a dumb kid does not deserve.
So you come home from school and your parents have moved...
yonhope8 October 2008
This is one summer camp musical that starts off like a teen comedy but begins to take some turns unexpectedly. Jason Bateman is well cast as a typical young teen kid from a middle class family. He is an adequate musician and he has plenty of friends.
His experiences at summer camp give us an insight into his musical weaknesses and his talent for finding trouble. His life takes a major change 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 the audience is taken for an adventurous ride. There is no bad language or nudity. This one is family safe. It is a little scary at times and there are some fine stunts with cars and people. It all looks top notch.
Jason at times reminded me of someone when he smiled or turned his head a certain way during the movie. It took me awhile to recognize who it was he resembled. If anyone is familiar with the smile of Joe Dallesandro during his youthful days, that is the same smile we see on Jason here.
I bought this one at Big Lots for $3. It seems to be part of a big closeout special from M-G-M. Highly recommended at any price.
If you like this I also recommend Emil and the Detectives if you can find it.
Tom Willett
His experiences at summer camp give us an insight into his musical weaknesses and his talent for finding trouble. His life takes a major change 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 the audience is taken for an adventurous ride. There is no bad language or nudity. This one is family safe. It is a little scary at times and there are some fine stunts with cars and people. It all looks top notch.
Jason at times reminded me of someone when he smiled or turned his head a certain way during the movie. It took me awhile to recognize who it was he resembled. If anyone is familiar with the smile of Joe Dallesandro during his youthful days, that is the same smile we see on Jason here.
I bought this one at Big Lots for $3. It seems to be part of a big closeout special from M-G-M. Highly recommended at any price.
If you like this I also recommend Emil and the Detectives if you can find it.
Tom Willett
Very good for a TV movie
whatch-1793122 September 2020
It's not a feature film, it's a solid TV so see it that way.
And it's pretty good. Bateman was great, it seemed pretty real.
Very not perfect- no way the Feds would have one agent with this kid to not have attention- that's silly.
Really, it does fall apart in the third act, like so many movies.
But in this case, as a TV movie it works, especially when the lead calls the Feds for help. It does feel like infuriating red tape in a crazy urgent situation.
What this movie does well, it does REALLY well.
The third act thing where the Big Bad does moronic things- yes, that's here in glorious 80's stupid, but hey, it's an 80's flick, ;).
And it's pretty good. Bateman was great, it seemed pretty real.
Very not perfect- no way the Feds would have one agent with this kid to not have attention- that's silly.
Really, it does fall apart in the third act, like so many movies.
But in this case, as a TV movie it works, especially when the lead calls the Feds for help. It does feel like infuriating red tape in a crazy urgent situation.
What this movie does well, it does REALLY well.
The third act thing where the Big Bad does moronic things- yes, that's here in glorious 80's stupid, but hey, it's an 80's flick, ;).
Great for an 80's TV movie!
ars11776 July 2013
For a made for TV 80's movie I thought it was very good. Jason Bateman did a very good job. It' s interesting to see him at a young age prior to his career being rejuvenated. Jack Wagner was awesome playing the Hit-man. Prior to this he was most well known for his days as General Hospital's good guy, Frisco Jones. After leaving for Broadway it was an awesome surprise to see him starring as the villain in this under appreciated movie. I also find it amazing that the girl playing Jason Bateman's girlfriend is Chynna Phillips. It seems it was close to, if not the climax to her acting career. I wouldn't have scored it as high on the big screen but this was one of the best TV movies I've seen. Good enough that I found it on Amazon and am enjoying it 25 years later.
Moving Target...loved it!
kim_smoak22 December 2010
Warning: Spoilers
I didn't really have high expectations for this movie
in fact, I don't even know why I watched this movie because it really didn't look appealing to me
but I'm glad I did. It was actually a very well done movie. It of course is an 80's movie
and it does have the cheesy music...but the plot was VERY good. It was suspenseful, and it was thrilling. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the movie...and I was trying to figure out what was going on throughout the movie. It will keep you guessing until the very end. Jason Bateman was amazing and may I say adorable as a teenager. If you enjoy a good thriller, a good story, and Jason Bateman...you'll love this movie! For daily movie reviews visit: kimsmoak.com now!
Jack Wagner Plays The Heavy To The Hilt
zippychimp8 February 2008
This film originally aired on NBC in February, 1988. It is notable for being Jack Wagner's first telefilm. He had recently left General Hospital and soap stardom and was coming off a national tour of "West Side Story" when he did this film. In it, he plays against type and is the villain hit-man. This was a refreshing change since he had found stardom as the hero/good guy Frisco Jones on daytime television. A very well-done made for TV movie that is also notable for being one of Chynna Phillips' early roles as she stars as Jason Bateman's character's girlfriend in the film. They don't show this on TV very often - if at all - but it is worth seeking out to see many of it's stars when they were young and just getting started.
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