Hanna (2011)

Focus Features

I thought it was very interesting that this film was released so close to Sucker Punch. That special effects loaded film had girls who kicked butt in a fantasy land, while Hanna features only one girl; however she kicks serious butt in reality. Saoirse Ronan (last seen in The Lovely Bones) stars as Hanna Heller, a tough teen who’s been raised in the woods for only one purpose: to kick butt and kill wild animals. She also spends a lot of time indoors listening to her father (played by Eric Bana) read Encyclopedia Britannica entries and other science facts. Their relationship seems to be more of a mentor and student, than father and daughter.

When it’s finally time for Hanna to leave the nest and enter civilization, she doesn’t know how to interact with people. There was too much time spent on combat skills and no time spent on developing social skills. Hanna’s father is a strong candidate for Parent of the Year as he makes Sarah Connor look like a PTA parent; at least she let John Connor go to school. However Hanna’s interactions with people provide the best scenes of the movie as she becomes friends with a teenage girl who’s on vacation.

“Hanna” is nearly a perfect action movie as it goes a bit deeper than just non-stop brawling and adds depth to its main character. I said "nearly perfect" but that’s only because I felt the other characters were a little weak. Cate Blanchett’s character has a southern accent for an unknown reason though her name would make me think she’s German. Eric Bana could’ve easily been replaced and I was even thinking it would’ve perfect if Liam Neeson was cast to play Hanna’s father. Being called “Hanna”, that’s the real reason to see the movie and Saoirse Ronan doesn’t disappoint.