From the trailers and descriptions of the movie that Focus has been releasing, I got the idea that they really wanted this to be Bourne with a teenage girl in the main role. What they got was an dark-comedy action film that is also a coming-of-age story. Focus might not have wanted the movie they got out of Hanna, but I think it's terrifically entertaining.
The first thing I talked about with my friends after we got out of the screening was the great job that Saoirse did of carrying the film, though she had some very entertaining supporting characters as well (the British family she meets up with is incredible). Another thing that really worked with the film was its soundtrack--the Chemical Brothers did a great job with their songs, matching the fast pace of the action scenes and setting the mood for some of the quieter scenes.
There were a few problems with the film, though, especially when it came to character development. Though the character of Hanna was well-developed throughout the film, the primary supporting characters were pretty weak. Hanna's father (Eric Bana) and the CIA officer trying to kill her (Cate Blanchett) are never really given purpose, so I was never able to invest emotionally in either one.
That brings me to another low-point of the film, Cate Blanchett. I typically love Ms. Blanchett, but in this movie, she does not work. Her southern accent is laughable (when it is there, sometimes it disappears altogether)and I never got the feeling that she was a stone-cold killer. I'm not a casting director or anything, but it felt like they got her for her name rather than for her ability to play the character well.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this movie, even with its faults; there are times when it feels like it is trying to be too many movies at the same time, there are some strange editing choices (you might feel motion sick after you leave the theater from all the spinning shots), and the script seems like it could have used a little more polishing to put some more detail into the story to make it a more complete film. When the film works, though, it really hits a stride that makes it an enjoyable experience.
Don't be fooled by the descriptions and trailers, this isn't just an action film, but a film with heart, comedy, and yes, an awesome ass-kicking teenage girl. It might not be for everyone, but if you are thinking about seeing it, I'd recommend taking the time to go to the theater.
7.5/10 (rounded up to 8 because it's more than just a 7)
