Hanna (Joe Wright, 2011)

[KK2.0]

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looks like a nice thriller

[Qrazy]

Definitely looks a lot better than The Soloist.

[Ivan Drago]

Looks pretty good. The Chemical Brothers are doing the score? Sweet.

[Dukefrukem]

Is that Scully?

[Kurosawa Fan]

Is that Scully?

Cate Blanchett (or perhaps that was a joke? I couldn't tell.)

Anyway, looks like it has potential, but I wish that trailer had been 30 seconds shorter and therefore less revealing.

[Boner M]

Err, seriously guys? This looks retarded, with the potential only to be so mega-retarded that it's at least sorta distinctive.

[transmogrifier]

Boner has a point.

[Qrazy]

Yeah but it has a good cast, a solid director, good composers and it looks like it's shot decently. I think it has potential to be a decently executed film of it's type.

[Dukefrukem]

Cate Blanchett (or perhaps that was a joke? I couldn't tell.)



You couldn't tell that I asking if that was Dana Scully from the X-files? ;)

[Kurosawa Fan]

You couldn't tell that I asking if that was Dana Scully from the X-files? ;)

I thought maybe you were asking if it was Gillian Anderson playing the role. Wasn't sure if you were only able to see a really low-res video from work or something.

[Dukefrukem]

Nah I hear ya. She just resembles Scully a bit. Red hair, cut shoulder length, business suit etc

[number8]

Oh hey, Hit-Girl: The Movie.

[Bosco B Thug]

I agree with Qrazy. Surprisingly intrigued, even with how far Wright has lost me. Its aesthetic looks beautiful and eccentric, and, most importantly, Wright's range should be adequate and even heightening for a knowingly ridiculous action-fantasy genre thing. Cate Blanchett looks fun. This isn't based on a true story or something, is it? Seems like something that might make that claim.

[Mal]

Err, seriously guys? This looks retarded, with the potential only to be so mega-retarded that it's at least sorta distinctive.

You just insulted retarded people.

[Spinal]

I was hoping for a Hanna Schygulla biopic, but this looks good too.

[B-side]

Err, seriously guys? This looks retarded, with the potential only to be so mega-retarded that it's at least sorta distinctive.

Ha, I was gonna say something similar but I didn't wanna be the guy that craps all over the positive energy in the thread.:D

[Dukefrukem]

Best movie of the year so far for me. It's this year's Taken (sleeper). The Chemical Brothers might have outdone themselves again. The score was tightly woven into the substance on screen. I can't get over how impressed I am with how complete this movie feels.

[MadMan]

Looks decent enough to me, so that equals a rental. So far this year there have only been three or four theatrical releases to come to my area that I've had any interest in whatsoever.

[TGM]

I thought it was an enjoyable movie overall, shot in an interesting style that, as Duke mentioned, is complimented by its awesome score.

[eternity]

It's a more European spiritual Kill Bill prequel except half as good. Which is fine.

[Izzy Black]

I love Joe Wright! I need to see this.

[Sxottlan]

Good, but weird. It was fascinating to see Wright shift gears to an action thriller, but the editing was really off at some points. Characters moving about between locations quickly and without knowing where they were. Why did Eric Bana swim across a river? Where was he? We don't know.

Could have done without the bohemian family. They were just a distraction and they vanish without knowing their fate.

I did like some of Wright's camerawork. The subway fight for example. Marissa's flashback being another. The score was good too.


Anyway, looks like it has potential, but I wish that trailer had been 30 seconds shorter and therefore less revealing.

This. I really wasn't surprised by anything in the film because the trailer really laid everything out from beginning to end.

[Watashi]

Eh. This is Joe Wright emulating Tom Tykwer. Wright goes overboard with the "fish-out-of-water" elements and the middle act really drags. There's definitely some expert craft in some of the scenes (Wright tries to outdo his long take in Atonement with a pretty nifty one here).

[Dukefrukem]

Why did Eric Bana swim across a river? Where was he? We don't know.

To get into Germany?

[eternity]

Eh. This is Joe Wright emulating Tom Tykwer. Wright goes overboard with the "fish-out-of-water" elements and the middle act really drags. There's definitely some expert craft in some of the scenes (Wright tries to outdo his long take in Atonement with a pretty nifty one here).Good lord was that a well-rehearsed take.



Could have done without the bohemian family. They were just a distraction and they vanish without knowing their fate.


The daughter practically stole the movie. Made me happy.

[DavidSeven]

So, no discussion of this, eh? I think I like it more upon reflection than I did as I was watching it. It's not great, but there's a lot of striking imagery, the score lives up to the hype, and Blanchett gives an incredibly distinctive performance. I just wish the craftsmanship and story were consistently engrossing. The first act just drags on too long and the climax is just too soft for this to be considered anything other than a slightly missed opportunity. I love that flashback sequence where Blanchett shoots at the car. It just struck me as so uniquely atmospheric in pure technical execution. I wish Wright could have captured more of that tone in the rest of his film. There are just far too few of those moments here, but it gives me hope that he still has something to offer as a filmmaker.

[Raiders]

The film is sort of hermeneutic in its style. It is very obviously well-made and technically sound (its use of aural/visual synchronicity both intriguing and kinda hokey) but afterwards my thoughts seemed complete; nothing really to think of or linger on... just a kind of content satisfaction. It is rather refreshing to see a mainstream film this formally bold and well, weird.

[Spinal]

This is a 4-star execution of a 2-and-a-half-star script. So much of this is sooooo good. Wright's direction is energetic and exciting. Ronan is utterly fascinating in the title role, proving herself to be a gifted young actress capable of multiple gears. And Blanchett is both absurdly beautiful and genuinely chilling as Hanna's relentless antagonist. But then you get to the back history and the explanation of Hanna's identity and it is all so disappointingly rote. Thematically, the film kind of dies in the end. The acts of violence leave one key figure able to walk away, but so what?

The journey is mostly a blast. Maybe that should be enough. But with so many other elements falling into place, I hoped that I might left with something a little more substantial to ponder after the credits rolled.

[soitgoes...]

I have to agree with a lot of what's said here. The film does many things right, and in some cases exceedingly well, but when all is said and done there really isn't a whole lot there, which is a shame. That being said, good job Chemical Brothers! What an awesome soundtrack.

[B-side]

Terrific soundtrack. Wright's direction is inspired, and nothing in it feels strained or ever too serious in spite of material that could've easily dove into silliness. Visually adept, too. What emerges is a film that is often in love with life, more specifically music, and comes out the other end ambivalent on the subject of proper child-rearing, which was refreshing. Its gay-friendly status is appreciated, and not manipulative. I'm curious if I'll end up making more of the child-rearing/gay angle upon more reflection, but as is, it's a highly entertaining techno-thriller.

[transmogrifier]

This was total crap. Hated it.

[Ezee E]

The story is absolute crap, but I'd still recommend it for everything else involved. The acting, cinematography, and the especially impressive score elevate it.

But the end is especially goofy. Not really sure Cate Blanchett is given enough to be the vile character that it wanted to be, but she is at least distinguishable?

I don't know... THink I'll nay it, but will say that it's worth a shot.

[MadMan]

Wow, after re-reading this thread I can't say I agree with most of the negative comments. Most action movies don't have particularly great stories and the plot is usually just set up for the hero to kill lots of people-I wonder if some of you actually even enjoy action movies, or just watch them simply to tear at plot holes and criticize them for what I view as somewhat petty little things that don't really matter.

Anyways, I thought this film was a great, smartly crafted action-thriller. My only beef was indeed the family, but they served a purpose-I just wish they had give us some clue as to what happened to them. Yes I know typical American demanding closure, but in this case they took up so much screen time that revealing their fate would have been a wise choice.

Oh and the soundtrack is one of the best of the year. Badass movie, really.

[transmogrifier]

Still the worst film I have seen this year. Mind-numbingly bad script.

[Spinal]

Most action movies don't have particularly great stories and the plot is usually just set up for the hero to kill lots of people-

They're better if they don't. And this is the place where film criticism begins!

[MadMan]

They're better if they don't. And this is the place where film criticism begins!But that's roughly 90% of action movies, though :|

PS: And really Hanna wasn't like that, although yes there was Eric Bana beating up people, which was cool. Its a good thing they had Hana be the result of a genetic experiment, considering that she was a 16 year old beating up people twice her size.

[Spinal]

You're right, though. Action is definitely one of my least favorite genres.

[MadMan]

Me I love action movies because I come from a conservative family that likes action movies. Most of them I don't take seriously, though, which is usually wise. The best ones I've noted over the years, such as what limited John Woo I've seen (Hard Boiled, The Killer), Die Hard, the original Assault On Precinct 13, From Russia With Love, the 60s and 70s action/thrillers such as Point Blank and Dirty Harry, the first two Terminator movies, Commando, Total Recall, The Bourne trilogy, etc.

I just realized that I'm giving Hana a higher rating than any of the Bourne movies. But then again I find those to be merely very good-there are just some flaws holding them back for some reason. I think a second viewing would make me appreciate the third one even more than I do now, as its the best in the series.

[Qrazy]

So yeah I liked a lot about this for a while but it definitely completely derails by the end. The first half was good. The second half was mediocre and the last 10 minutes were complete shit.