MOVIE REVIEW: HARDCORE HENRY (R)
Like a hyper kinetic fever dream, the gleefully violent and sadistically funny “Hardcore Henry” blasts into theaters by way of a “Bourne Identity” meets “Robocop”-like premise. If only this film had the heart and cohesive structure of those aforementioned titles. It should also be noted that some viewers are likely to get a headache from the “first person” gimmick that dominates “Hardcore Henry.” The jerky camera movements and endless tight shots here make movies like “Cloverfield” and “The Blair Witch Project” feel positively motionless by comparison. Translation: If you do go to see “Hardcore Henry,” don’t sit in the first three rows or you might throw up.
As this relentlessly paced chase film opens, our lead character Henry awakens in a lab with his lovely wife Estelle (Haley Bennett) peering over him attempting to explain to him who he is, why he has no memory, why he is unable to speak, and why in the world a few of his limbs have been replaced with artificial ones. Unfortunately, during Estelle’s vague explanation, the lab is raided by a squad of mercenaries led by baddie Akan (played by a fittingly over the top Danila Kozlovsky), a powerful warlord with quite a diabolical scheme. Somehow, Henry and Estelle escape, but once they’re on the outside, that’s when the real adventure begins.
“Hardcore Henry” is the brainchild of Ilya Naishuller and it’s essentially an expansion on that popular single shot “Bad Motherf*****” music video he made for the Russian rock band, Biting Elbows. The best that can be said for this film is that Naishuller’s vision certainly wasn’t compromised. This is a manic, dizzying, ultra-violent, strange, and darkly funny, movie and it’s unapologetic in just about every way. Again though, since virtually the entire film takes place from the central character’s point of view, “Hardcore Henry” can be quite the migraine-inducing experience. There are impressive moments in this picture to be sure. A sequence in which Henry chases a henchman atop a bridge is undeniably effective and multiple sequences in which our fearless hero jumps from high places and finds himself in dizzying free falls are likely to give viewers a nauseating feeling in the pit of their stomachs.
Despite a handful of breathtaking “first person” thrills though, this feels like a technique that’s best suited for video games and short films like Eduardo Sanchez and Gregg Hale’s sensational zombie-themed “A Ride in the Park” segment from “VHS2.” Still, there are a few moments when this wildly paced gimmick movie does have a few things to fall back on, namely, a wicked sense of humor (watch for a hilarious if short lived western-tinged horse riding sequence.)
Much of said humor is supplied by a highly energetic Sharlto Copley. This lively “District 9” star pulls a “Multiplicity” by way of multiple roles and whenever he’s on screen, he gives “Hardcore Henry” a major kick in the pants.
Quite obviously, “Hardcore Henry” isn’t the kind of movie that’s going to be noted for its award caliber performances, but in addition to a crazed Copley, a sorely underused Tim Roth deserves recognition for providing this movie with what might just be its single strongest moment. As Henry’s father, Roth brings an unexpected level of poignancy to the proceedings in a matter of mere seconds. Dad’s final moment in particular, is oddly inspirational.
Props to Naishuller for putting forth quite the lively (and technical) effort, but in the end, even with its ambitious “first person” hook, “Hardcore Henry” fails to live up to the breathtaking thrills at the heart of dynamic actioneers like “The Raid 2” and “John Wick.” In the end, “Hardcore Henry” is all about the gimmick, and a gimmick can only get you so far.
