First-person shooter video games are often catered toward middle-school boys. Their primary draw is putting oneself in the middle of the action. “Hardcore Henry” is no different, with a plot of little more than utter convenience.
Written and directed by Ilya Naishuller, “Hardcore Henry” is a first-person thriller told from the perspective of the titular character, who is played by a variety of stuntmen. Henry leads the audience through a wide assortment of action sequences, captured with GoPros, as he seeks to rescue his scientist wife, Estelle (Haley Bennett), from a telekinetic warlord named Akan (Daniel Kozlovsky).
After waking up on an airship to find his super-soldier body put back together, Henry and Estelle are ambushed by Akan. When he ill-advisedly turns his attention away from them, they slip out of his grasp in an escape pod, thus beginning “Hardcore Henry’s” plot of convenience. Akan’s men quickly recapture Estelle, but Henry manages to elude them with the help of Jimmy (Sharlito Copley).
As Jimmy leads Henry away to safety, he offers Henry a slew of advice and tasks that must be accomplished before he can rescue Estelle. The first task that Henry must complete is to steal the battery of another super-soldier in order to charge himself. After getting a fresh battery, Henry meets up again with Jimmy, who keeps appearing in a variety of new bodies and disguises. Jimmy’s background and motives remain unclear throughout much of the film, but it is obvious that he wants to help Henry fight Akan.
“Hardcore Henry” is similar to a video game in many ways. It is told from a first-person perspective and Henry cannot speak. Because Henry cannot remember his past and is unable to speak, all exposition and plot conveniently comes from conversations with secondary characters who, like Jimmy, are constantly offering advice. Moreover, Henry conveniently manages to escape the clutches of Akan multiple times, despite Akan’s telekinetic abilities.
The gender roles of “Hardcore Henry” also resemble that of a video game, as the few female characters — including Estelle who is a scientist — are shown as sexualized through scant or absent clothing. All of these similarities do not even begin to touch on the film’s glorification of action and violence.
Yet, “Hardcore Henry’s” similarities to first-person shooters are not always a hindrance. Complemented by a soundtrack that includes Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now,” the highs of the film’s action sequences can sometimes successfully capture the energy and thrill of playing a first-person shooter. One car chase scene in particular is truly exhilarating, as Henry soars from car to car. Some viewers may truly enjoy “Hardcore Henry” for these very reasons.
Still, it is easy to see the successes of “Hardcore Henry” as nothing more than a simple first-person gimmick. The story is thoughtless, requiring a few twists and explanations at the end to tie up the loose ends of the plot. Characters are generally two-dimensional with little development. In fact, there is little else to enjoy in this movie other than the action into which it throws audiences.
“Hardcore Henry” is certainly not for all audiences, with its obsession with violence and uninteresting plot. Individuals who have grown up enjoying first-person shooters may still enjoy it, but those who are not avid video gamers will not be as likely to overlook its many flaws.
**MOVE gives “Hardcore Henry” 2.5 out of 5 stars.**
_Edited by Katie Rosso | krosso@themaneater.com_
