Review of Hardcore Henry (2015) by James F — 22 Apr 2018

Less a movie than a live-action video game on celluloid, Hardcore Henry is by turns both ludicrously fun and overwhelmingly exhausting. Catering to a gamer audience, the film relies on scenarios and plot points that should be familiar to anyone that's played a first-person shooter (Half-Life particularly comes to mind), which is fine for the movie's gimmick, it's just the plot fails to make even the slightest bit of sense.

Hardcore Henry actually attempts to be ambiguous with some story elements, which feels more unnecessary than anything, and the film's relentless pace and endless display of shaky cam, extreme gore, and relentless pace can easily tire many audience members.

Still, these flaws are also part of what makes Hardcore Henry work: inimitable craft. It's nearly impossible to understand how countless shots in this film were made without CGI, and behind-the-scenes clips may very well find themselves into filmmaking courses in the near future.

Also, Hardcore Henry manages to have a real "fuck you" attitude with pervasive graphic violence, yet doesn't come off as (too) mean spirited. Non-genre fans should probably stay away from this one, but Hardcore Henry is as unbelievable a technical marvel as anything else you're likely to see this year.

Just don't ask me to watch it again...