Even if you enjoy this movie as much as I do - let's be honest, it is no masterpiece of film making or a milestone in the "handle-held" movie genre. However, it is undeniably a sensation among millennials, all the nods to the video games of new and old, the constant mind-bending action, the first-person perspective. It really is a 90 minute showcase of the good and the bad stereotypes of video games, barely clothed women, swearing, gore, an over the top story. And all with the volume turned up to 11. And then turned up another 11 notches.
In case you are unaware, here's the basic rundown. The movie is completely shot in first person. There are no scenes out of the first person perspective, mostly shot by Go Pro Hero cameras. We take our eyes from Henry's perspective. Henry, our mute protagonist, has just awoken, with no memories whatsoever. The woman tinkering with Henry's newfound robotic limbs and brain turns out to be Henry's wife. The facility comes under attack by the film's antagonist, the telekinetic power wielding Akan and his crew of soldiers. In the nick of time Henry and his wife escape from their lab, which turns out to be a laboratory in the sky. When Henry and his wife land, they are quickly greeted by Akan's soldiers on the ground, and Henry's wife is now captured by Akan. Now Henry, with the help of the loudmouth but dependable sidekick Jimmy, must track down Akan and save Henry's wife.
The plot, as you can probably tell, is a bit of a mess. It's your classic twist and turn science fiction story, with a whole lot of killing in between. We follow Henry through thick and thin as he, in the most bad-ass manner possible, tries to track down his wife.
The movie is full of Henry partaking in crazy park-our stunts to catch enemies and get around more quickly, made realistic by all of Henry's moves actually being done by the camera's wielder. That's right - you experience first hand what it's like to brutally murder 5 people in a matter of seconds and then jump off the second floor of a hotel to the ground floor. It's nuts - but can also be hazardous to those sensitive to motion sickness. If you feel sick while playing first-person shooter video games or during movies like Clover-field, PLEASE do not see this movie. The camera never stops moving. Whether that is a good or a bad thing is up to you. Me personally, as someone not easily motion sick, loved it.
The movement in the movie really brings all the craziness of it to life and gets you pumped up and more immersed into the movie. I actually climbed up a roof just to jump off it only 5 minutes after watching this movie. True story.
Plenty of people enjoy action movies, but also appreciate when the movie takes time to slow down, whether it be for emotional moments, plot- enhancing moments, or whatever the case may be. Hardcore Henry spits in the face of "slowing down to explain". It's a roller-coaster, and the more you try and control it, the more you realize you just have to sit back and enjoy the ride.
This to me is one of the very few really solid "popcorn movies" out there. It's crazy as hell but also has some unique charm to it with the first person perspective. It's dumb, but the movie itself knows this too, and cuts off all the fatty exposition commonly found in silly action films trying to take themselves too seriously. It punches you in the face, then offers you a drink.
And for that, I love you, Hardcore Henry.
In case you are unaware, here's the basic rundown. The movie is completely shot in first person. There are no scenes out of the first person perspective, mostly shot by Go Pro Hero cameras. We take our eyes from Henry's perspective. Henry, our mute protagonist, has just awoken, with no memories whatsoever. The woman tinkering with Henry's newfound robotic limbs and brain turns out to be Henry's wife. The facility comes under attack by the film's antagonist, the telekinetic power wielding Akan and his crew of soldiers. In the nick of time Henry and his wife escape from their lab, which turns out to be a laboratory in the sky. When Henry and his wife land, they are quickly greeted by Akan's soldiers on the ground, and Henry's wife is now captured by Akan. Now Henry, with the help of the loudmouth but dependable sidekick Jimmy, must track down Akan and save Henry's wife.
The plot, as you can probably tell, is a bit of a mess. It's your classic twist and turn science fiction story, with a whole lot of killing in between. We follow Henry through thick and thin as he, in the most bad-ass manner possible, tries to track down his wife.
The movie is full of Henry partaking in crazy park-our stunts to catch enemies and get around more quickly, made realistic by all of Henry's moves actually being done by the camera's wielder. That's right - you experience first hand what it's like to brutally murder 5 people in a matter of seconds and then jump off the second floor of a hotel to the ground floor. It's nuts - but can also be hazardous to those sensitive to motion sickness. If you feel sick while playing first-person shooter video games or during movies like Clover-field, PLEASE do not see this movie. The camera never stops moving. Whether that is a good or a bad thing is up to you. Me personally, as someone not easily motion sick, loved it.
The movement in the movie really brings all the craziness of it to life and gets you pumped up and more immersed into the movie. I actually climbed up a roof just to jump off it only 5 minutes after watching this movie. True story.
Plenty of people enjoy action movies, but also appreciate when the movie takes time to slow down, whether it be for emotional moments, plot- enhancing moments, or whatever the case may be. Hardcore Henry spits in the face of "slowing down to explain". It's a roller-coaster, and the more you try and control it, the more you realize you just have to sit back and enjoy the ride.
This to me is one of the very few really solid "popcorn movies" out there. It's crazy as hell but also has some unique charm to it with the first person perspective. It's dumb, but the movie itself knows this too, and cuts off all the fatty exposition commonly found in silly action films trying to take themselves too seriously. It punches you in the face, then offers you a drink.
And for that, I love you, Hardcore Henry.
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