Hardcore Henry

            Gimmicks tend to go in either of two directions: either they catch on with people complaining about how they’re everywhere, or they happen once, and then disappear instantly. Whether they’d be with 3D, CGI, or D-Box seating, the success of these gimmicks depend on how well it blends with the film it goes with. And today, another gimmick is tested in the newest action film, “Hardcore Henry.”

“Hardcore Henry” is about a guy who takes part of a top secret experimentation that’s turned him into a super fighting android, but realizes it’s for a corrupt terrorist who wants to take over the world with an army of androids. Henry escapes, and teams up with a former worker of the mastermind, Jimmy, so they can take him down and get Henry’s wife back.

            This film was done as a follow-up to a 30 minute short film, where it was entirely shot on a Go-pro camera, and the creators decided to take the risk of making it a feature film. It’s a fairly simple plot, but the film’s not trying to be anything else different. The best way to describe this film is that it’s “Robocop” meets “The Raid” meets the game “Mirror’s Edge.” A man turned into a super weapon, with impressive martial arts skills, and all through the main character’s perspective.

Does this gimmick work for the film? In my view, it does. I was highly entertained by this movie, and I think the main selling point was the trailer using the song “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen (the song’s in the movie too, so I’m really happy about that). For the most part, the character that we interact with the most is Jimmy, played by Shartlo Coopley. He takes on the role of Henry’s guide through the journey that takes on many different forms. He really does have a lot of energy in this performance, one minute being completely serious but then immediately change his tone at a coin toss. Hell, the scene where he sings “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” by Frank Sinatra, only to immediately get serious later on is a prime example of that.

            If I had any complaints about the film, it would mostly be with it being a movie. Why? Well, if the project itself was done as part of an Oculus Rift project, sort of virtual reality, it would have played out better. Since he doesn’t talk, Henry himself isn’t that much of an interesting character. We only know that he got picked on as a kid, lost his memory, and become part of this experimentation. I get that it’s done to make the audience feel like they themselves are Henry, but it’s a movie, so it doesn’t have the same effect. Plus, some of the shaky cam does get in the way, especially in the beginning before we meet Jimmy. That, and the villain isn’t that interesting; we don’t even get an explanation for how he got his telekinesis.

            Complaints aside, the film is still a fun ride. If you’re in the mood for a live-action video game movie experience, then you won’t be disappointed with “Hardcore Henry.” My only concern is that the P.O.V. gimmick might catch on, and I don’t want that. Let “Hardcore Henry” stand on its own, and be the only film to have its glory.

Rating: 8/10