Moving Target

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

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

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.

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 :)

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.