Review of Hanna (2011) by Blake P — 14 Sep 2012

A mix between "Run Lola Run" and "The Bourne Identity", "Hanna" successfully blends experimental, artistic filmmaking with the more modern (and basic) action thriller. Many other films have attempted to do this-- but with "Hanna", every second it tries to be unique quite simply works.

Every action sequence in some way or another is introverted, while every villain is sort of a cartoon. This is a world that can really only exist in a comic book, and director Joe Wright, known for his historical epics, is the perfect man for the job.

We're brought into the life of Hanna (Saoirse Ronan), a sixteen-year old girl living in the middle of nowhere with her father Erik (Eric Bana), who has trained her her whole life to be an assassin.

As it turns out, many years earlier, Erik was framed for the murder of a young woman, and the point of their seclusion is to escape the menacing Marissa Weigler (Cate Blanchett), a big name in the CIA.

Hanna, who is tired of her upbringing, decides it's time to finish business-- putting her and everyone who touches her in "the real world" in danger. "Hanna" is highly unconventional, with an electronic soundtrack loads of interesting locales, and an odd choice of a heroine.

Saoirse Ronan, an extremely talented young actress, puts on a German accent, bleached eyebrows, and a wig for the role, and never for a second does she slip out of character. She captures the determined and ruthless qualities of her character while Cate Blanchett provides the perfect foil as the Southern, almost comical villain.

When you blend these two talented actresses together, it's almost astonishing, but the real feat of "Hanna" is that it takes such an ordinary plot and makes it seem original. Recommended.