Hardcore Henry Review (2015) | Gut-wrenching Gore Action Galore

Still of Henry falling in Hardcore Henry movie

A deafening howl to gore action lovers! People, you have got to watch Hardcore Henry if you wish to experience non-stop gut-wrenching action that is beyond the levels of Shoot ‘Em Up. The action this movie has, places it right up at the top amongst the elite avant garde action group.

MAGIC OF HARDCORE HENRY

What does a good action movie need? Thrilling stunts, profuse gore, constant adrenaline rush, great story to keep it all together. Well, Hardcore Henry has it all, except for the latter which unfortunately stops it from becoming an epic action flick. Nevertheless, we keep our eyes closed and ignore those apparent bits just for the uncanny style of film-making the movie induces.

BREATHTAKING ACTION

It is hard to look away (unless you are a wimp) from this action-packed affair of a movie, which gives you a first person perspective akin a game. Just imagine all those place where action might seem possible, and it is all there. Imagine the heights a flick could go to create palpable gun fights, and it soars high to shoot them all. Imagine how ugly a hand-to-hand combat could go, and it surpasses it too.

Hardcore Henry might be odious when it comes to showing gritty yet ugly fight sequences, but they are all spot on. It walks you through a world of chaos as if you were in those Henry shoes. Things that happen in 1 hour 36 minutes of stark scrimmage is something you might want to prep your feeble heart for, in advance.

SPOILERS BLEEDING AHEAD

The surreal part about Hardcore Henry is that Henry can’t speak. So, that leaves us with all ears, listening to other characters talk.

The best character of the movie is undoubtedly Jimmy played superbly by Sharlto Copley. He puts himself in a couple of crazy shoes creating mind-boggling characters, out of which the best one is that of the British World War 2 Corporal. As he occasionally drops off witty one-liners icing them with “Laddie” he scores extraordinary kills alongside Henry.

A still of Jimmy from Hardcore Henry

A grenade a day keeps the enemy at bay.

Also, watch out for that musical dance bit that he does whilst leaving bodies.

Hardcore Henry has a gaming air to it. Right from the start, it would seem as if you are playing a great action game. Guns, grenades, hand-to-hand, it has everything squeezed for emphasis. It has a stunning sniper moment too!

STORY-LINE AND TANGIBILITY

Unfortunately the flick scores really low when it comes to showing a decent movie mien. Things that stop it from hitting that territory are its surreal looks and a weird comportment that it tries to build for its countless action shootouts. The plot of the movie seems like a game rip-off.

Also, there is a sustained palpable absurdity to it that makes you take its characters for a joke. Also, some actors, despite the theatrics, degrade its quality beyond limit. Starting from Danila Kozlovsky as Akan, who comes off as a strong villain, is really shoddy with his acting.

Hardcore Henry movie scores the lowest in Screenplay as well. There aren’t many good lines to cherish except one or two. Melodrama looks really fabricated as well.

THE FINAL VERDICT

You could only imagine the heights the director Ilya Naishuller is willing to scale to ace this beauty. Visual effects are insane! Stunts astounding! Watch out for some thrilling slo-mo bits that the movie retains. You can’t help but give an ovation to him.

Overlooking every flaw the movie has, for its avant garde rare ‘reaching-for-the-moon style’, we focus on what it Hardcore Henry really is. Outright Hardcore!

PS: If you are a die-hard gamer, you are going to fall in love with this movie instantly.

You can check out the trailer of Hardcore Henry here:

Hardcore Henry

7.8

Direction

7.7/10

Plot

6.9/10

Visuals

7.8/10

Editing

7.5/10

Action

9.0/10

Pros

  • Amazeballs gore
  • Action packed joyride
  • Movie never stops to breathe
  • An incessant gallop into the world of guns, knives and grenades

Cons

  • Cliched plot
  • Screenplay has nothing
  • Melodrama is very weak

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