Hanna (2011)

5/5

holy. f-cking. f-ck.

i saw this movie on thursday at an advance screening (thanks, Shim!) and i LOVED it. like, i was leaning forward in my seat the entire time grinning. while at times it totally reminded me of Kill Bill, Run Lola Run, and Léon: The Professional, Hanna (directed by Joe Wright, Pride and Prejudice (2005), and Atonement) is something i have never seen before. it felt very original and new, which is a totally rare (and refreshing) experience when you're a major cinephile.

i wanted to go in blind. i didn't want to read any reviews or articles about the movie, and i avoided all clips and interviews on tv. the trailer doesn't do the film justice, and the title and poster too doesn't inspire (IMO). but Hanna is one of the best action movies i've seen in a very long time. it's incredibly entertaining, violent, and very very fun. 

Hanna (played by Saoirse Ronan) is a teenager being raised by her father (Eric Bana) in the isolated woods in Finland to be the perfect assassin. the audience follows Hanna and her father as they travel separately on a mission across Europe, while both being tracked by a ruthless CIA agent played by Cate Blanchett.

this movie moves fast - and i wish i was a runner because i would have bought this soundtrack to run to. the sound as well as the music (by the Chemical Brothers) is just incredible - especially in the scene where Hanna is escaping from the institution. this movie will make you want to start running. or at least kick some serious ass - in fact, it's a great film to watch for anyone who has some serious revenge fantasies.

there are a few shots that are quiet and beautiful, like in the woods, or when Hanna and her friend are in Spain watching the dancer and singer. there are also moments that are totally creepy-looking and at times it felt like i was looking at illustrations from a demented storybook, especially the scenes at the Grimm house and at the amusement park. some of the characters too are really odd and seem a bit unreal - but the absurdness totally works. for example, Cate's character has a sort of detached personality that is so fittingly cold and robotic - from her flawless skin and hair, to her teeth and clothes - the details in making these characters who they are is really spot on. i loved Hanna's found-friend Sophie (Jessica Barden), and especially that one particular German henchmen in the yellow tracksuit. i love a creepy German in an action movie. they always deliver, wouldn't you agree?

i'll definitely need to go see this a couple of more times... then, absolutely a blu-ray buy.