Directed by : Ilya Naishuller
Written by : Ilya Naishuller, Will Stewart
Starring : Sharlto Copley, Danila Kozlovsky, Haley Bennett
Release Date : April 6, 2016
Just from looking at the trailer and clips of "Hardcore Henry," it should be obvious that this movie is not for everybody. It's all done in a first person perspective, which invokes video games like "Call Of Duty" (although it's a lot more like "Breakdown" or "Mirrors Edge"). That camera style might cause people to get motion sickness and be vomit inducing, so there's that chunk of movie goers that can't see this. We are also looking through the eyes of a protagonist that cannot speak and has the case of memory loss, which doesn't really help establish a strong character background to relate with. It can be bloody violent, and there are people who doesn't like that kind of material. Now, if you're like me and do not see any of these as negatives, then I think you'll have fun watching this movie.
The plot is admittedly very very simple, and honestly shouldn't be the focus of what to look for in this film. It has some interesting plot turns that do happen and there's a mystery to uncover. However it still has your typical plot holes, action movie tropes, or plot conveniences, but all of those story elements really isn't the point. This is all about being immersed in an action movie, that is quite the unique experience that you don't normally get in your typical action flicks. It is pretty much a series of action set pieces after action set pieces, with the expected parkour stuntwork, close combat physical action, and many gunfight sequences. Since these are all done through the first person perspective, this really feels like a huge amusement park thrill ride, or something very close to a movie specifically made for virtual reality.
Is the whole movie a big giant gimmick though? Honestly, it really is. Depending on your tolerance, the first person perspective gimmick might easily get annoying and boring really fast. There were a couple of times that it did feel a little repetitive and just going through the motions. Thankfully this movie has Sharlto Copley doing an entertaining job playing different character roles, that helps move the story along and also adds the necessary levity to prevent the movie from getting too stale. Danila Kozlovsky is good enough as an underwritten but effective enough antagonist, while Haley Bennett was just too distracting to watch on screen because she looks so much like Jennifer Lawrence.
The action sequences are what makes or breaks "Hardcore Henry," and should hopefully overshadow the flawed narrative and weak character developments of the movie. I myself fit in that target audience of people that are likely to enjoy this movie, so it wasn't too hard for me to ignore it's problems and just enjoy the ride.
P.S. Also check out the music videos by Biting Elbows that spawned Hardcore Henry.
lovedit ENJOYED IT itsokayitsmehitsterrible
