Hardcore Henry (2016) REVIEW

So here it is, 'the world's first' fully P.O.V action film. Even from the trailers, this looked like an over the top, crazy ride, and it definitely is that. But that doesn't mean that I fully enjoyed myself as I much as wanted to!
A directorial debut for Isla Naishuller, the film is based around Henry, a robotically enhanced human who wakes up in a laboratory in a airplane, debriefed by a woman named Estelle (Haley Bennett) who tells him that she is his wife (we soon learn that he has no memory and cannot speak) the introduction is soon interrupted by an evil businessman, Akan (Danila Kozlovsky), who is in charge of a huge Russian mob and can also move objects with his mind. Henry initially escapes his clutches and then ends up running around Moscow, where he mets his accomplice Jimmy (Sharlto Copley) who remains a mystery for the most part of the film, he appears in many different forms, is he a clone? And why is he setting Henry all of these missions to track down bad guys and beat them to death?
You can't question the ambition of this film. However, it does feel like there is a whole lot of style over substance. The action scenes themselves, which the film relies on so much, are often slightly generic feeling. 

There are sparks of genius, in the snappier, zanier movements - a siege near the end was full on video games style madness - however a nonsensical plot doesn't help proceedings. The video game style removes any authenticity to characters. The film relies on Sharlto Copley's character so much that it feels self indulgent on his part, his different carnations of Jimmy, particularly the punk and the British serviceman man feel forced, which disappoints me as I love his previous work, particularly in District 9. 

I am still confused about Tim Roth's casting - he was has roughly 2 minutes of screen time, what a waste! All in all, this will definitely keep you intrigued and attack the senses, but by the third act, I felt myself clocking out slightly. For such potential it did not live up to the hype, but it should be seen for such an energetic and ambitious experience. 6/10