Director: Joe Wright
Writer(s): Seth Lochhead, David Farr
Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Eric Bana, Vicky Krieps, Cate Blanchett, Paris Arrowsmith, John Macmillan, Tim Beckmann
Release Date: April 8, 2011
Plot: A sixteen-year-old girl who was raised by her father to be the perfect assassin is dispatched on a mission across Europe, tracked by a ruthless intelligence agent and her operatives.
3/5 Tonies
After hearing all the buzz behind the controversy of this film I finally decided to check it out. To my surprise it was the least bit controversial. I understand why some say so, but completely overlooked it.
Controversy aside, I went into this film and took it for what it is. I learned that much of it's fame lies within the controversy alone.
Hanna gives a sub-par plot that offers nothing new, but is at the same time coupled with great direction, cinematography, and sound. Is this enough to make it good film?
The story follows 16-year-old Hanna, who was raised by her father to be the perfect assassin. After years of living in isolation the two decided that it was time to go back into society. Only to discover that once they return they would be hunted down by ruthless CIA agent, Marissa Weigler whose mission is to find them and kill them. Seperated, Hanna must find her way back to her father in Europe while at the same defending herself from imminent danger. Along the way she learns about the truth of her existence.
On paper that seems fantastic, but on the screen it fails to execute what it promises.
The film is filled with plot holes and things that just don't make sense. One of those being the family that Hanna comes into contact with. She is in the film with them for more than 30 minutes. Hanna begins to share and grow a relationship within this family. Then all of a sudden they're gone. We hear nothing of them. Why introduce characters that seem important just to kill them off? This film was full of scenarios like this. It was littered with scenes and characters that in no way furthered the story, but at the same time seemed important. Which did nothing more than confuse the audience. Take these scenes away and you have yourself a 30-45 minute film. And honestly that would have probably worked better.
With that said the rest of this film is indeed good.
A character driven film that allows you to step into the head of each character and see what their motivations are. Most notably through Hanna. Remember she was in isolation from birth and as soon as she leaves she steps into an unknown world of even more unknown things. We get to see as she explores and gets lost into this foreign place. She becomes distracted and begins losing sight of what is to be done. This alone is fantastic. It perfectly blends a James Bondesque action film with a coming of age story and it shows well.
There are many moments that tend to drag and stumble, but are usually picked by the film's outstanding technicalities. Through cinematography, direction, and sound this film becomes a true piece of art. Beautifully shot, the film lets us see the world of Hanna as she see's it. It shows the beauty and wonder of the world while at the same time showing confusion and being lost. Not only is it shown through cinematography, but through sound as well which depicts the anxiety and confusion Hanna feels during certain situations. This become apparent when Hanna stays in the room in Arabia. As she notices things like the tv, tea kettle, light, and electricity the sound becomes sharp and alarming. It begins to make you feel uneasy as Hanna does.
The biggest problem with this film is that it introduces a handful of grand ideas, but poorly strings them together. The story telling is tight, but constantly begins to meander around without any rhyme or reason. Causing the film to feel distracted. In these distractions we continue to see the artistic ability of the films technicalities, but lose grip of the story. All style and no substance is all that really comes to mind.
All in all Hanna is enjoyable and shows how much a film can be carried with excellent directing. If you were looking for an all out blood splattered, action-fest you may want to look somewhere else, but if you want a film that gives a great story and recognizes all the components it takes to make a film as art-- that includes action. Hanna may be just for you.
3/5 Tonies
Pros: Great direction, cinematography, and sound.
Con: Story feels distracted and meanders off without any rhyme or reason
Written by Anthony Centeno
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