MovieChat Forums > Hardcore Henry (2016) Discussion > Don't see Hardcore Henry without reading...

Don't see Hardcore Henry without reading this first


Normally, I don't post on here unless it's for certain scenes in movies or films I really enjoyed that I thought deserved to be talked about in meaningful conversation. Hardcore Henry is not one of those movies but because of the whole "new" and "action packed" and "revolutionary" words being thrown around, I want to dispel those thoughts. I don't want to *beep* on the movie because that's not what I'm trying to do, I just don't want people to go into that movie thinking it's gonna be amazing. I'm not one to normally rag on a movie but I am honestly surprised at how many people here truly believe this movie was well done and enjoyable. I would rate it a solid 3 out of 10 and that's pushing it.

SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS ahead for anyone who hasn't seen the movie yet and not sure if you want to, but honestly if you're on the bubble you can read what I'm about to type and then decide to go see Zootopia or some other movie. Firstly, the movie begins actually pretty cool with you seeing who the main character (you) is. It's Henry and your wife is basically rebooting your system (you are part human part computer) because something terrible has happened to you (don't remember really if it's explained or not in the film). Well the next scene the room you're in is overrun by baddies and they kidnap your wife and it's your job to save her and bring her back. I say "you" because really that's what the film is going for (but ultimately fails), the creators are trying to make it so that you are the one doing everything (shooting, running, stabbing, punching, etc.)

I will give the movie this much: at least they tried with the whole first person thing, it's cool for the first 5 minutes but gets REALLY old REALLY quick. If you don't want to watch shaky cam for an hour and 40 minutes then don't see this movie. If you get headaches easily as well, avoid this movie, or sit further away so that the shaky cam doesn't bring one on for you. The story is mainly convoluted and really throughout the entire film you never truly know what the main villain's point for being evil is. And really, the villain has some cool powers but his acting is terrible. You don't care why he is bad. Same goes for Henry, he doesn't speak a word throughout the entire movie but quickly learns through his android powers how to use weapons effectively, how to kill someone specifically with an ice pick and where to hit people to knock them down sufficiently then go in for the kill. The movie doesn't show you how he is able to learn all of these unique manoeuvres although he is extremely proficient. I guess we are just supposed to go with it. Henry's friend Jimmy consistently appears throughout to aid Henry is his quest. Jimmy appears as multiple characters with different accents each time. They really weren't funny and Sharlto Copley really seemed like he was forcing out the lines and forced his acting the entire film. The main villain as I said before had cool powers but you never understand why he is evil, why he is doing what he is doing, and why he has the power he has. His accent changes a couple times throughout as well. I won't go on too much more as I know people are going to probably add more to this but honestly the shaky cam is just too much, the plot is horrific (you never really understand why Henry is doing what he is doing as he never remembers why he is behaving the way he does, oh wait something about a memory blocker that isn't ever explained as well), the acting is mostly sub par save for a couple lines that allow you to chortle maybe 3 times during the entire film.

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i'm not a gamer at all (especially regarding first person shooter games) and i normally hate hand held/first person/found footage types of films (maybe only a handful of those types of films have i liked) and i figured this movie would be another film in that genre that i wouldn't like very much if at all, but i was VERY happily surprised that i ended up liking it a lot! this movie is bat$hit crazy (in all the right ways) and it is a total blast.

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you just do not like a crazy action movie, and you wish every movie should be like "Slumdog Millionaire" and "Captain America". The funny thing is, you try to campaign for everyone to dislike this movie too, give a warning and everything. I respect your opinion but this is not like the bad movie ever that everyone should avoid. Its just not your taste.

THRILLER IS MY FOOD!

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The film is definately nothing new or ground breaking. The entire film is basically Prodigy's Smake my Bitch up video with more violence and gore and that came out years ago.

Other films have also used the first person view many times in the past, the only new thing was trying to make an entire movie from it.

The film is a lot of fun though, the story is lacking but this was not a film based around story it's just a string of well made action scenes strung together. The shaky cam might be a bit much for some people in places but it was no where near as bad and difficult to watch as I thought it was going to be.

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Are you aware the title of your post is a bit contradictory to the content? "Don't watch HH without reading this", and then inside your post you warn not to read unless you've watched it. What's wrong with you?

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Thanks for the heads up, Ben.

No, I didn't read your wall of text. Just skimming it and find the words "shaky cam for an hour and 40 minutes" and that's enough for me. However good a movie is, my brain simply can't digest shaky cam, especially extremely shaky and extremely long ones.

So, thanks.

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@rse.


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I agree with you, ben. Nothing special, and not that innovative. You didn't mention Sharlto Copley's performance, which was hilarious and worth my time. He's WAY too under-rated.

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I'd totally ignore your post and watch whatever I felt like watching.

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