Hanna Lacks Substance; Provides Entertainment

From the acclaimed director (Joe Wright) of both Atonement and Pride & Prejudice, comes the tale of a child raised to be an unstoppable assassin, by an expert CIA assassin gone bad.

Erik, played exceptionally by Eric Bana, raises Hanna in the Finland tundra to be nothing short of abnormally fierce and wickedly relentless. Oscar nominee Saoirse Ronan, familiar fromAtonement and The Lovely Bones, portrays Hanna marvelously, bringing characteristics such as ruthlessness and innocence into perfect harmony.

Oscar winner Cate Blanchett, puts on a stellar performance. Even in scenes where the protagonist is present, Blanchett steals the show with her enigmatic and enticing presence.

The simple plot takes unexpected turns at surprising moments, even when one considers this plot has been seen and overdone by other action thrillers. The secret government operations, the bond between a father and his daughter, and the remorseless villain who will stop at nothing, are all familiar themes to movie-goers everywhere.

If you are in search of cinematic substance, look elsewhere. However, the cinematography and original score are exceptionally executed and absolutely fitting for this genre.  The camera angles and scene transitions are perfectly fitting to the mood portrayed.

When Hanna hunts in the noiseless mystic tundra you feel like a silent witness anticipating her next move. When the scene illustrated a drawn out chase and fight sequence the quick and sharp shot changes heightened your anticipation for the next blow. There were even some scenes, and you will know them when you see them, that were slightly James-Bond-like.

Possibly the best part of the entire film is the original score created by acclaimed British electronica DJ’s The Chemical Brothers. The fast-paced tempo is sure to put you on the edge of your seat.

Hanna may not be a must watch, but it’s worth the ten dollars and decent entertainment for two hours.