Hanna

What does Hanna have in common with Hop and Rio? A one word title, the third such film I’ve reviewed this month. What does Hanna NOT have in common with Hop and Rio? A whole lot.

The titular Hanna, as played by Saorise Ronan, lives in the Finnish tundra with her father, Erik (Eric Bana). Their daily existence involves him teaching her how to be the perfect killer. Their goal is to get her ready to meet, and kill a woman named Marissa Wiegler.

Wiegler (Cate Blanchett) is a CIA Operative and an unpleasant face in Hanna’s past. Hanna quickly demonstrates her killer training on Wiegler’s cronies, and makes her way to Berlin to meet with Erik. Of course, after living in a cabin for her whole life, Hanna’s unprepared for civilization.

Joe Wright, who previously directed Ronan to an Oscar nomination for Atonement, is in charge here. One thing Wright’s films haven’t been known for are exchanges of bullets and fists. But with this film, his fourth, Wright and his crew prove they are up to it.

Among the off-screen input, there’s great on-location photography by cinematographer Alvin H. Kuchler that sets the scenes quite nicely. The music score, by the duo called The Chemical Brothers, knows how to set the right mood. Editor Paul Tothill, meanwhile, sets a good pace for both the action and dramatic moments.

It also benefits from the writers, Seth Lochhead and David Farr. They make their heroine’s plight come from not just the bad guys, but also from her being in civilization. It’s a situation that they handle with both humor and tension. With Ronan’s performance, Hanna’s situation is believable through-out.

It is a film that unravels its secrets slowly, so much patience is needed. But if a mindless action flick isn’t what you want, then Hanna’s style will suit you just fine.