I. Really. Hate. Rides. I don’t handle motion like that well at all and Hardcore Henry has made me experience motion sickness even twelve hours after leaving it. I had no doubt that the film would be gimmicky, but I think that actually hurt the story it was telling. I’d say the film is Not a Total Waste of Time, but admit that others may end up loving this film.
A guy named Henry wakes up to find out his body has been enhanced with mechanical components. His wife is kidnapped by a warlord to create bio-engineered soldiers like Henry. Henry must quickly learn to use his new abilities to rescue his beloved.
Without question, Sharlto Copley is the best part of this movie. In fact, if Jimmy (Copley) was the main character this film would be substantially better as a story. Jimmy adds intrigue, humor, and character that Henry isn’t able to do as he is the audience. Copley does a great job in all of his various incarnations in this film.
The action in the movie is interesting, but the first-person perspective is nothing more than a cheesy device much like the found-footage films that followed Blair Witch. Had Hardcore Henry been a traditional film with a mute character I think it would have been a strong film. There is a lot of cool stuff, but I found the first person nauseating and more distracting. Not to say there aren’t cool moments, but had they only inserted moments in FP it would have been less distracting. There are moments where Henry looks at his feet or rapidly looks around and it made my head spin.
That being said, the action sequences are full of brutal violence and manic energy that does create a bit of excitement. The story of the film is basic and not amazing, but not bad. Again, had Jimmy been the focus the film would have been really interesting. Henry manages to have a bit of character despite being the audience, but it’s pretty basic.
I will not be sitting through anything like that again as it has lasting effects on me apparently. I love a good action movie, but the first person just ruined my experience with it. Let me know your thoughts, but for my time I’d much rather watch a film like The Raid than this gimmicky product.
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