Hardcore Henry (2015) – Review

Is it still possible to innovate after more than 100 years of film? In all those years so many creative minds have brought their visions to the screen that you could assume that we’ve reached the top of what’s possible. But still some filmmakers succeed in making your jaw drop to the ground because they tell their stories in new ways or by effectively using certain techniques like never seen before. The Wachowski’s managed to stun by using two techniques and combining them (still cameras and computers), which brought something fresh to the table.

During the last couple of years the capabilities of digital cameras have quickly grown. Drones enable directors to make shots for which they used to hire helicopters, special setups allow for shooting 360 videos making it possible for the viewer to direct the action. High resolution cameras have become so small that you are able to stick them to your body. That last one is exactly what the makers behind Hardcore Henry have done and the end result is the first full length, first person action film.

Hardcore Henry isn’t the first movie which uses a fixed perspective. Enter the Void was made from third person view and later switched to first person perspective. The movie Doom, based on the game with the same name, had a scene in which the viewer saw everything just like in the video game. Recently Grimsby showed that you can effectively shoot an exciting action scene from the point of view of your main character. But does something like that work when it lasts 96 minutes? The answer is a resounding yes, although I’m sure not everyone will be able to enjoy this movie.

The story is weird, according to IMDB: “Henry is resurrected from death with no memory, and he must save his wife from a telekinetic warlord with a plan to bio-engineer soldiers.” A story which seems to come straight from a video game and to be honest, it never rises above that. But it’s something you could say of many action movies, so I didn’t take issue with that. What’s the reason you watch an action movie? Yep…the action and when it comes to that Hardcore Henry delivers lots of it.

 As you are seeing everything Henry goes through from his perspective, which really makes you the protagonist. You see how he fights through various situations in Russia, jumping from buildings, driving motorcycles and experiencing a whole lot of extreme things, trying to save his woman. Director Ilya Naishuller has succeeded in making a very varied movie where you never experience the same thing twice. The addition of Jimmy (Sharlto Copley) is a welcome addition and is responsible for a lot of jokes and like in video games doesn’t seem to be able to die. This film shows there still is enough room to innovate within time and by combining the perspective, action and special effects Hardcore Henry is a unique experience which you simply have to see at least once.