Hanna

Release Date: 06 May 2011
Director: Joe Wright
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Eric Bana, Saoirse Ronan
Details: US/111 mins (15A)

Another reminder of Saoirse Ronan's considerable talents, this is the Carlow native stretching herself to a whole new level and playing a young assassin trained in dangerous combat and survival techniques. Eric Bana too impresses as her father, but helmer Joe Wright's execution is borderline pretentious and movie often works in spite of it.

Ronan is the titular Hanna, a very special teen who was raised in an extremely isolated part of the world by Bana's rogue government agent - never meeting anyone else. Her father agrees to let her venture outside of their home but warns of an impending plan for their capture at the hands of Cate Blanchett's calculating CIA Agent. Once out in the world, Hanna's naivety is obvious to those she encounters, but the girl can more than take care of herself - which is a good thing given the nasty swines that are chasing her.

From an intrusive, distracting Chemical Brothers score, to locations that lack the innate scale for what Wright was reaching for you get the impression the talented helmer was looking to differentiate his film for the countless Bourne knock-offs. He has a wonderful cast to do that, and when he does finally kick into action mode Hanna is an awful lot of fun. One sequence involving Bana towards the end is particularly brilliant, as he shoots a nicely visceral hand to hand combat scene.

This is Ronan's film and the actress continues to electrify with each passing role. Here she gets to show range at an age when most other wannabe cohorts are ploughing their trade on The Disney Channel - a testament to how her raw talent has continued to evolve since an early Oscar nomination. It's ironic that she stars opposite Blanchett here, as she's bares more than a passing resemblance to the Aussie actress and should have a similar career trajectory.

Enjoyable thanks to Ronan and Bana; this is ultimately a disappointing, if occasionally thrilling, action flick.

Review by Mike Sheridan

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Your Comments

masonica

I quite liked this but the review does have some valid points. It was 4 stars for me.

Posted 06/05/2011 18:39:18

jring

I on the other hand didn't like it it was drole and lacking a special twist to make it stand out to the bourne films so i would rate it a mere 2 stars

Posted 08/05/2011 22:36:27

Teekazoid

I wasn't too fond of it. Didn't like the quirky aspects of it. Tom Hollander's character was a nothing character. The action scenes were decent but too few for my liking. All in all, a missed opportunity I reckon. **

Posted 09/05/2011 14:40:16

fox

i didn't really like this film, the action was good but the story line was predictable and unexciting.I was waiting for a twist but none came. Saoirse Ronan did play a good assasin .I hope the follow up will be more thrilling.

Posted 11/05/2011 20:20:09

Slick

Psychotropic dysentery. Sucks from story to soundtrack - minus Kelvin rating

Posted 14/05/2011 19:25:57

Deli

Really thought that this film could have been filled with more action as the trailer seems to lend it to that genre! The soundtrack was ill placed and very distracting in some instances. The family are hilarious and I felt that we should have been told what became of them. Eric Bana was amazing in his role and more should have been made of him as Hanna's "father". Saoirse was believable as the quick, innocent assassin and I hope that her character will develop more if a sequel is made.

Posted 30/05/2011 12:45:10

ellegibbons

Saoirse Ronan is brilliant in Hanna, watchable movie but I wouldnt spend the money going to see this film, when there is films such as Senna and X men to choose from

Posted 09/06/2011 08:39:14

ted29

This film was simply awful and required a suspension of disbelief that was just too great. Dozens of plotholes and a totally nutty storyline. Ronan is great as usual, but this movie is for those who dont like a challenge.

Posted 20/06/2011 10:50:35

DoubleLetter

I really liked the film. However, I think Hanna spent too much time with the family in the middle and it kinda drifted off for a bit and focused more on how unusual she was rather than her 'on the run'. Would have much preferred if she reached New York or something and maybe turned into a little bit like SALT... I still liked it tho and loved Blanchet playing the b**ch.

Posted 20/06/2011 19:31:38

Neelie509

I really love Saoirse Ronan and it was the main reason i had to watch this film. The film was good but the ending was dissapointing and it lacked something. the idea was good, but its full potential was not met AT ALL imo. the soundtrack by the chemical brothers carried it for me, and its an OST i will buy on CD, but the film? not sure.....

Posted 04/07/2011 19:56:26

spikeprint

Now this was a 4 star movie. The soundtrack works perfectly with the odd tone of the movie. The locations are well thought out and add to the strangely skewed plot. It remains unclear enough to allow the viewer some interpretation. It's refreshing to see something a bit different in the mainstream, without the need compare to Bourne, let alone ape it.

Posted 15/08/2011 23:11:45

spikeprint

Also, Ronan and Blanchett look nothing alike.

Posted 15/08/2011 23:13:01

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