Video games are a ridiculously popular form of media among any gender and most ages, and game-based films are on the radar as the next movie industry fad. Hardcore Henry - a first person point-of-view action flick that recently hit theaters - is one great example that will make anyone excited for the slew of game-inspired stories to come to the big screen.
The audience sees the events of the movie through the eyes of a man named, obviously, Henry. The story starts with Henry waking up to having robotic limbs attached by his wife, a scientist, after being severely injured. Before he can have time to recuperate - or have his voice modulator installed - a troupe of villains break into the research center and kidnap his wife.
Hardcore Henry has almost nonstop action as the titular character fights a constant barrage of men out to kill him before Henry can save his wife from a man out to conquer the world with his group of super soldiers.
Overall, the film was definitely enjoyable. The first person perspective put a visually interesting twist on the typical action flick, and the characters are largely entertaining - even though Henry is unable to say a word the whole film. All of the characters were either intimidating, hilarious, intriguing or all three. Also, the movie features Sharlto Copley and Tim Roth, which is an automatic plus.
After getting past the initial awe at having watched a ceaseless wave of wildly violent fighting and chase scenes, however, the movie comes off as a little shallow. The motives of the villain, Akan, are pretty vague, and he possesses a power similar to telekinesis, which looks cool but goes entirely unexplained throughout the film.
Basically, Hardcore Henry took on the great qualities of first-person shooters - the interesting point-of-view, crazy kick-butt action and relentlessly quick pace. The problem is, the film also took on the bad parts, those being shaky plot lines and enjoyable but one-dimensional characters.
Viewers shouldn’t be expecting any depth of characters or plot to reinvent the action film when going to see this movie, but for those looking for an entertaining flick to see over the weekend, Hardcore Henry would definitely be a good choice.
