Joe Wright has had an excellent resume as a film maker. He's had such works as Atonement and Pride and Prejudice under his belt and now he's stepped out of his comfort zone with his latest action epic, Hannah. Saoirse Ronan plays the daughter of an ex CIA agent played by Eric Bana and Cate Blanchett adds her wonderful support as well. When I had seen the trailer for this film I was immediately excited simply because I couldn't wait to see Wright's beautiful style thrown into this action movie. Hanna is a special film and one of the biggest surprises of the year by far.
The movie begins on the pristine landscape in a far away forest in finland. Hanna is out in the wild hunting a deer. There is complete silence for the first five minutes, all we hear are the breathes of hanna and her prey. It's a perfect portrait of what this movie is truly about as she hunts down her catch of the day. It's a girl, fighting a big beast and taking it down, I guess it's how nature intended it. We live with Hanna and her father (Bana) as we learn about their thick german accents and how they've been living in such a remote area. Then we meet Blanchett's character, Marissa. Marissa is a perfectionist in every which way, we learn that she's tactical, cold and calculated and she also has a history. This cold, mean villain is looking for Hanna and her father. Then something happens, Hanna pulls the remote and gives away her position, this is where Hanna becomes alive. Now judging from the trailer you would think this film is a action junkie's dream, but really what we get is something much better. Wright takes us down a winding rabbit hole that brings many good things, this film really transcends genres. It's an action movie, a drama, a thriller, a comedy and it possesses something that most movies lack these days, passion. This movie is vibrant and alive. Wright plays around with the action sequences, some sequences there are fast cuts, circling camera's and spinning shots. Then sometimes the camera is still, capturing the action for itself. Where this movie really strides is not in the camera work but in the writing and acting.
Three huge actors are in this film. Eric Bana, Cate Blanchett and Saoirse Ronan, but really this movie is about Ronan. This movie revolves around Hanna, the story's core is around this mysterious little girl. Where did she come from? who or what is she? Why is she so good at killing people? The movie also pose's some ethical issues and government conspiracies. Now Wright gets a little muddled and confused at times with his direction but Ronan takes our minds off the negative. When we look into her eyes we see a girl searching for her identity, she's confused, worried and extremely curious and oddly enough, extremely innocent. She can't help it but hurt people, it's in her blood. Hanna is an excellent character and Ronan really shows how great of an actress she really is in her performance. Eric Bana plays his usual bad a$$ role as the ex CIA agent trying to protect his daughter. There is a marvellous action sequence in the middle of the film, all I will say it's one huge rolling take, and the camera work and Bana's athleticism are just awesome to watch. He's electric in this movie. Blanchett is creepy as ever and also has a sort of regret and empathy put into her character. I think this script alone was something that could've been easily muddled and drove to boredom but the cast really make this film come alive, as well as Wright's excellent directing.
Hanna will make the average action junkie movie viewer angry. It's not an average action movie and that's why its so good. It has a pulse and vibrance to it. Wright brings his wonderful cinematography and direction and the cast just really bring this movie to life and make it wonderful. This film does pack an awesome punch too. It's the european version of Alice in Wonderland. Hanna get's crazier and nastier as it rolls on. The action never lets up and the characters are full of intrigue. This was a summer surprise and a great film. Let's just hope films like this keep pumping out all summer long. It's original, it's different, it's vibrant and full of cinematic glory.
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