Targets (1968) Criterion Collection Blu-Ray & Movie Review
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Targets is a 1968 thriller film directed by Peter Bogdanovich, who also co-wrote the script and co-starred in the movie. The film features Boris Karloff in his last major role, playing a semi-fictionalized version of himself as an aging horror movie star who feels out of touch with the modern world. The film also follows a young Vietnam veteran named Bobby Thompson, who suffers from a mental breakdown and goes on a random shooting spree with a sniper rifle.
I bought the Criterion Collection Blu-ray of Targets at Barnes & Noble during a 50% off sale. I was intrigued by the movie after watching a positive review by RamboRaph for Life on YouTube. The Blu-ray is a beautiful edition, with a nice art book and some interesting bonus features, such as a commentary by Bogdanovich from 2003, interviews with him and his wife Polly Platt, who was a producer and co-writer of the film, and an interview with director Richard Linklater, who is a fan of the film. The image and sound quality are excellent, as expected from Criterion.
I enjoyed the movie a lot. It is a fascinating contrast between the old and the new, the classic and the contemporary, the fantasy and the reality. Karloff gives a poignant performance as a man who feels irrelevant and obsolete in a changing world. Bogdanovich is also good as a young filmmaker who admires Karloff and tries to convince him to star in his new project. The scenes between them are touching and humorous. The film also captures the sense of dread and horror of the random violence perpetrated by Thompson, who is played by Tim O’Kelly in a chilling and realistic manner. The film builds up to a climactic confrontation between Karloff and Thompson at a drive-in theater, where Karloff’s old horror movie is playing. The film is a clever and original commentary on the nature of fear and the power of cinema.
I would recommend Targets to anyone who likes thriller films, especially those that deal with social issues and cultural changes. It is a hidden gem that deserves more recognition and appreciation. It is also a fitting tribute to Karloff, who was one of the greatest horror icons of all time.