Hanna (Joe Wright, 2011)
- HistoryProf
- Joined: Mon Mar 13, 2006 3:48 am
- Location: KCK
Hanna (Joe Wright, 2011)
So I caught a twilight showing of this tonight and came away incredibly impressed. For lack of a better term, it's an action flick with a significant art house vibe throughout. What really set it apart was the fantastic score by the Chemical Brothers...who channeled all the flair that Daft Punk tried to pull off with Tron Legacy and mixed with theramin inspired effects. It was incredibly well integrated with the action on the screen, and really helped make the film almost mesmerizing at times. The scenes at the end in a derelict Berlin amusement park were inspired for what could have been a cliche-ridden final showdown so typical of the genre. At the same time, there's nothing terribly earth shattering in the plot conventions or storyline, but that's not what sets a film like this apart. It's a tight script, but more importantly, it's extremely well acted and beautifully shot. There are some really great moments where Wright delves into how a girl raised in complete isolation takes in the modern world and tries to reconcile the bits and pieces of knowledge her father read to her with the complex realities of life - most impressively (again) with music.
Finally, the real revelation here is Saoirse Ronan. This girl just nails a difficult role without being over the top. There's restraint in her eyes in nearly every scene...it's a remarkably mature performance. The rest of the cast is good, though I'm not sure why Cate needed a southern accent, maybe because she hadn't done one yet. But that's a trifling complaint in what is otherwise a refreshingly smart and thoughtful film with a nice balance of action and character development, showing us that it is indeed possible to have both in a genre film. Hopefully Hollywood is paying attention, and I pray this does well at the Box Office to help reinforce the message.
Finally, the real revelation here is Saoirse Ronan. This girl just nails a difficult role without being over the top. There's restraint in her eyes in nearly every scene...it's a remarkably mature performance. The rest of the cast is good, though I'm not sure why Cate needed a southern accent, maybe because she hadn't done one yet. But that's a trifling complaint in what is otherwise a refreshingly smart and thoughtful film with a nice balance of action and character development, showing us that it is indeed possible to have both in a genre film. Hopefully Hollywood is paying attention, and I pray this does well at the Box Office to help reinforce the message.
Last edited by HistoryProf on Sun Apr 10, 2011 1:55 am, edited 1 time in total.
- dad1153
- Joined: Thu Apr 16, 2009 10:32 am
- Location: New York, NY
Re: Hanna (Joe Wright, 2011)
Early box office numbers are good, coming just behind the much-hyped "Arthur" remake at #3.
- Jeff
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 9:49 pm
- Location: Denver, CO
Re: Hanna (Joe Wright, 2011)
I agree that it is great fun for the most part, has some really beautiful and unusual shots, and that Saoirse Ronan is the real deal. I really didn't understand why they had to
Am I missing something or asking too much from this sort of movie? As I said, I really enjoyed it, but I'm not sure that in terms of premise it holds up to even a little scrutiny or reflection.
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push the red button and alert Marissa to their whereabouts though. It became clear later on that it wasn't particularly difficult for Erik to track down Marissa, show up at her residence, and potentially take her down. Of course it would have worked much better if she hadn't been expecting him. If he was capable of getting to her, why wouldn't he have just left the woods on his own, gone to kill Marissa, and then gone back to get Hanna?
The Big Red Button and the entire conceit of needing Hanna to get captured ultimately seemed completely unnecessary to me, and kind of undermined the proceedings.
The Big Red Button and the entire conceit of needing Hanna to get captured ultimately seemed completely unnecessary to me, and kind of undermined the proceedings.
- MoonlitKnight
- Joined: Thu Mar 19, 2009 10:44 pm
Re: Hanna (Joe Wright, 2011)
Ultimately I think it was more or less intended as her initiation into the world ("Kids grow up," as Erik says at the end)... and finally putting her training/learnings to proper use -- and what better way to do so than by having her kill her "father"'s #1 nemesis?. It's probably all metaphorical, but I was too wrapped up in the journey to care.Jeff wrote:IAm I missing something or asking too much from this sort of movie? As I said, I enjoyed it, but I'm not sure that in terms of premise it holds up to even a little scrutiny or reflection.
- domino harvey
- Dot Com Dom
- Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2006 2:42 pm
Re: Hanna (Joe Wright, 2011)
Hanna, I fear, is going to be one of those brilliant little films that I end up liking a great deal more than even its vocal supporters. I'm sure I've said in the past that, with a few exceptions, there's nothing more tiresome than an action movie, but here is a thriller that is so captivating in its novel approaches concerning editing and mise-en-scene that I was enraptured in a pure film-loving joy. It had honestly never occurred to me to make an action film in the style of an art house pic, mainly because who would ever fund such a thing? Well, someone did, and the result straddles the esoteric/approachable line marvelously. The action is fluid and intuitive (and this must surely be the most violent PG-13 film I've ever seen!), and not just in the (justly) showy sequences like the underground station fight which plays out rather unfathomably in one unbroken take. As for the plot, well, you sort of either go with a movie like this or you don't, but I thought the pic poked the underlying tragedy of Hanna's situation with enough sticks.
AND THAT SCORE!
AND THAT SCORE!
- mfunk9786
- Under Chris' Protection
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Re: Hanna (Joe Wright, 2011)
Thanks for the review, domino. I couldn't wait to see this before, and now I really can't wait.
- Jeff
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 9:49 pm
- Location: Denver, CO
Re: Hanna (Joe Wright, 2011)
I wouldn't want my niggling about the plot to deter anyone from seeing it, because it is ultimately, as Domino said, rather beside the point. There is a lot to like. I've been recommending to all of my friends who only like mainstream movies, yet inexplicably always ask me what they should see. They would kill me if I sent them to Certified Copy, but Hanna is simply an artful action thriller which seems like it would have broad appeal. I'm dumbfounded as to why it has a 'C+' Cinemascore rating.
Wright has such a knack for shooting comprehensible action sequences that guys like Paul Greengrass and even Chris Nolan really seem to struggle with. Everything feels fluid and natural. Some of the shots were just stunning. I loved the establishing shot in the sequence where the family that Hanna befriends is being questioned and everyone is set up in an individual shipping container staged like a diorama. That would have been a throwaway shot in most films.
Wright has such a knack for shooting comprehensible action sequences that guys like Paul Greengrass and even Chris Nolan really seem to struggle with. Everything feels fluid and natural. Some of the shots were just stunning. I loved the establishing shot in the sequence where the family that Hanna befriends is being questioned and everyone is set up in an individual shipping container staged like a diorama. That would have been a throwaway shot in most films.
- cdnchris
- Site Admin
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Re: Hanna (Joe Wright, 2011)
I'm completely with Domino on this one and I don't think I can add anything on top of it. It's an exciting action/thriller at its base, even if a little ludicrous, but the "art house" style lifted it and made it so much more memorable. There's so many gorgeous and captivating sequences in here that I'm still thinking about. I loved the finale, which was absolutely surreal, and I also loved the one sequence where the Euro thugs are guarding their prisoners, more-or-less dancing around, whistling that show tune from earlier (and yes, the Chemical Brothers score is brilliant) but my favourite would have to be the train station; there's no way they did that in one shot, is there? I'm tempted to go back and watch more closely for an edit or a possible computer effect, but considering Wright did that amazing single take in Atonemenet I guess I'll have to take it a face value.
I was watching this and loving it but thinking there was no way in hell anyone else in this theater could be enjoying it because compared to other films it really is bizarre. I beyond surprised and elated when a large portion of the filled theater applauded at the end.
I liked Atonement and Pride and Prejudice well enough but after this Wright has my complete attention.
I was watching this and loving it but thinking there was no way in hell anyone else in this theater could be enjoying it because compared to other films it really is bizarre. I beyond surprised and elated when a large portion of the filled theater applauded at the end.
I liked Atonement and Pride and Prejudice well enough but after this Wright has my complete attention.
I like Nolan, but you're right, he can't shoot an action scene, and I'm so sick of action sequences where you can't see anything because (I assume) they just don't know what they're doing and don't know how to make it exciting and figure a jerky camera and quick editing will help, when all it does is disorient the viewer. But here the fight scene in the train station was quick and brutal (and apparently done in one take) and it was thrilling and stunning and (most importantly) you could see everything and knew where everyone was. It looked so effortless.Jeff wrote:Wright has such a knack for shooting comprehensible action sequences that guys like Paul Greengrass and even Chris Nolan really seem to struggle with. Everything feels fluid and natural. Some of the shots were just stunning.
- dad1153
- Joined: Thu Apr 16, 2009 10:32 am
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Re: Hanna (Joe Wright, 2011)
Final box office numbers came in, "Hanna" beats "Arthur" as the week's #2 movie (behind "Hop"). No one-two box office domination for Russell Brand (hooray).
Last edited by dad1153 on Mon Apr 11, 2011 11:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- Jeff
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 9:49 pm
- Location: Denver, CO
Re: Hanna (Joe Wright, 2011)
I can't be the only one who thought of Peter Lorre when the tiny German guy was wandering the docks looking for Hanna and whistling that tune.cdnchris wrote:I also loved the one sequence where the Euro thugs are guarding their prisoners, more-or-less dancing around, whistling that show tune from earlier
- domino harvey
- Dot Com Dom
- Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2006 2:42 pm
Re: Hanna (Joe Wright, 2011)
(Real spoiler, don't click if you haven't seen)Jeff wrote: I loved the establishing shot in the sequence where the family that Hanna befriends is being questioned and everyone is set up in an individual shipping container staged like a diorama. That would have been a throwaway shot in most films.
Speaking of,
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Was debating this after the film last night with my friends: I suppose we're left to imagine their fate for ourselves since they're a pretty likable lot, but God, the more I think about it, that family had to have all been killed afterwards, right?
- HistoryProf
- Joined: Mon Mar 13, 2006 3:48 am
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Re: Hanna (Joe Wright, 2011)
but he just said the same thing I did!? I see how it ismfunk9786 wrote:Thanks for the review, domino. I couldn't wait to see this before, and now I really can't wait.
- cdnchris
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Re: Hanna (Joe Wright, 2011)
domino harvey wrote:(Real spoiler, don't click if you haven't seen)Jeff wrote: I loved the establishing shot in the sequence where the family that Hanna befriends is being questioned and everyone is set up in an individual shipping container staged like a diorama. That would have been a throwaway shot in most films.
Speaking of,SpoilerShowWas debating this after the film last night with my friends: I suppose we're left to imagine their fate for ourselves since they're a pretty likable lot, but God, the more I think about it, that family had to have all been killed afterwards, right?
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I'm unfortunately pretty sure they were, but I guess it leaves it leaves it open to interpretation by the general audience who would find it a huge turn off if they were all murdered: my wife prefers to think they were let go.
- HistoryProf
- Joined: Mon Mar 13, 2006 3:48 am
- Location: KCK
Re: Hanna (Joe Wright, 2011)
That was my one question walking out of the theater, and I basically settled on the same conclusion. I really can't imagine how it could go any other way. Which kind of sucks in a way I guess....but it's also yet another point in Wright's favor - sometimes you have to leave them guessing.domino harvey wrote:(Real spoiler, don't click if you haven't seen)Jeff wrote: I loved the establishing shot in the sequence where the family that Hanna befriends is being questioned and everyone is set up in an individual shipping container staged like a diorama. That would have been a throwaway shot in most films.
Speaking of,SpoilerShowWas debating this after the film last night with my friends: I suppose we're left to imagine their fate for ourselves since they're a pretty likable lot, but God, the more I think about it, that family had to have all been killed afterwards, right?
- knives
- Joined: Sat Sep 06, 2008 6:49 pm
Re: Hanna (Joe Wright, 2011)
By the way is Blanchett's accent as acidic on the ears as the trailers suggest? That's really the only reason I was going to pass on this before all of the enthusiasm.
- domino harvey
- Dot Com Dom
- Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2006 2:42 pm
Re: Hanna (Joe Wright, 2011)
Actually, and I will tread lightly here, I didn't even register what she was doing until another character draws attention to the accent early in the film*. Outside of the occasional "Darlin'," it's not really that over-pronouncedknives wrote:By the way is Blanchett's accent as acidic on the ears as the trailers suggest? That's really the only reason I was going to pass on this before all of the enthusiasm.
*
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I don't even think Blanchett says anything remotely "Southern" until after the decoy bites it, possibly to sell the hamminess of her imitator for the audience?
- HistoryProf
- Joined: Mon Mar 13, 2006 3:48 am
- Location: KCK
Re: Hanna (Joe Wright, 2011)
it's not that bad...it's more kind of a "huh?" moment a few times, but everything else going on is so great they pass almost instantly.knives wrote:By the way is Blanchett's accent as acidic on the ears as the trailers suggest? That's really the only reason I was going to pass on this before all of the enthusiasm.
I'm just so happy others seem to like it as much as I did. I hope it continues to do well at the box office.
- Professor Wagstaff
- Joined: Tue Aug 24, 2010 11:27 pm
Re: Hanna (Joe Wright, 2011)
I loved Joe Wright's Pride and Prejudice, but his follow-up efforts of Atonement and The Soloist left me cold, pretentious awards bait that didn't sync up with his style. I was delighted to catch up with Hanna last night and see Wright get back into his groove and really nailing the rythms of an arthouse action picture, at times reminding me of Run Lola Run.
Also, Tom Hollander basically playing the Udo Kier role was a lot of fun.
Also, Tom Hollander basically playing the Udo Kier role was a lot of fun.
- domino harvey
- Dot Com Dom
- Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2006 2:42 pm
Re: Hanna (Joe Wright, 2011)
I saw the film again tonite (and it still holds up, is a modern masterpiece, &c) and paid attention to the one take sequence and, don't reveal if you don't want to know, obvcdnchris wrote: But here the fight scene in the train station was quick and brutal (and apparently done in one take) and it was thrilling and stunning and (most importantly) you could see everything and knew where everyone was. It looked so effortless.
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I spied one cut for sure and one cut I think happened. Starting with Erik getting off the bus until just after he comes out of the grocery store, the pan across the man leaning against the pillar facing the audience is a probable cut hid by the moving figure, but it's hard to say for sure. The second cut, one I know for sure happens, is one of the orange pillars underground just as Erik is entering the station. Keep in mind, though, the actual hardest logistical sequence, the fight itself, still looks uncut to my eyes, which is still remarkable
- James Mills
- Joined: Mon Dec 06, 2010 7:12 pm
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Re: Hanna (Joe Wright, 2011)
I'm happy to see all the praise for this film, but I'm still unsure I want to see anything by Wright after disliking Atonement more than any other film of 2007.
-
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Re: Hanna (Joe Wright, 2011)
Yep, Atonement was trash, the low-point being the inappropriate and messy sequence shot on the beach, designed entirely to show off.
- aox
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Re: Hanna (Joe Wright, 2011)
For some reason I thought someone had made a bio pic about Senator Mark Hanna, and the rise and assassination of President McKinley.
- MichaelB
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Re: Hanna (Joe Wright, 2011)
I thought it was a biopic of the late British political commentator Vincent Hanna, animated in the style of a Hanna-Barbera cartoon.
- domino harvey
- Dot Com Dom
- Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2006 2:42 pm
What a bunch of wacky commentators we have!
I thought it was a movie about a teenage assassin
- Cronenfly
- Joined: Thu Jul 19, 2007 12:04 pm
Re: Hanna (Joe Wright, 2011)
While it does my heart good to see the forum rally around a contemporary film by a non-canonical director, I share Jeff’s hesitations about the film’s paper-thin plotting. I love style over substance as much as anyone, but compared to, say, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Hanna doesn’t go nearly far enough to compensate for the imbalance. There is some nice character shading (especially Blanchett, whose incongruous accent is matched by her obsessive oral hygiene, and Holllander, with his litany of repulsive track suits), but even these elements reflect the screenplay’s over-fondness for shorthand (Hanna’s encyclopedia-learning and -speech, the Grimm’s Fairy Tale aspects) in lieu of a real plot outside of the chase (Bana, so central to the first act, is pretty much a non-entity once the action commences, and feels clumsily reintegrated thereafter). Still much to like here (the action sequences are, as noted, expertly staged and shot for maximum clarity, while the actors acquit themselves well with sometimes thin material, as in the case of Olivia Williams’ New Age-y matriarch, whose admiration for Hanna’s “independent” upbringing is a nice, if unsubtle, gag), but I was not as blown away as some. Would still take it over a plottier, Bourne-style film any day, and hope it is a sign of more interesting things to come from Mr. Wright.
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The introduction of genetic engineering late in the film by way of explanation feels very tacked on indeed; I liked it only for the way in which it clarified Blanchett’s creepy maternal feelings towards the protagonist.