First Person video games are highly loved. Games like Call Of Duty, Dishonoured and Bioshock were heavily praised franchises. And with GoPro footage becoming more and more popular,, the medium has now translated into film. Already on YouTube we're seeing people use the first person glance to create immersive films, both action dramas and non-fictional pieces. So it made that Hollywood would attempt a film made completely from the first-person perspective. The result is Hardcore Henry.
The use of GoPro cameras Hardcore Henry is both its highlight and its downfall. It really does help to immerse the viewer in this over-the-top world. Henry is the ultimate blank slate. The jumping point for the audience to understand what's going on and piece together everything. This is the best thing about the camerawork as it captures the spirit of first person gaming very well. However, it also makes it kinda difficult to watch at points. In YouTube videos that use GoPro cameras the camera is usually quite stable. This isn't the case in Harcore Henry. In most of the action scenes the camera work is quite shaky and this can be quite jarring for audiences. There were even a couple of times in the film I felt like leaving as I felt I was going to be sick.
As for the storyline, it was very much like a video game story. There was action in every turn and whenever it feels like the hero has completed his mission another obstacle is thrown at him. It reminded me a lot of Call Of Duty where there's always something else before you're about to finish the game. But this doesn't exactly translate very well to film. This kind of story works well for games as the player plays a huge part in the story. Films, however, do not require this. Because of this the constant action actually becomes a crutch after a while. Films require breathing spaces so that the audience are rested for the next action piece. Instead the audience gets no such rest and feel exhausted after a while.
Possibly the best part about this film is Shalto Copley who plays Jimmy. This character is more or less the exposition but it's always great when he's on screen. Copley's Jimmy takes on several character archetypes throughout the film (This is because the character is stuck in a wheelchair and so uses different Avatars of himself to converge with people). Copley adds most of the humour and emotion in this film. Primarily because Henry's character physically can't do any of that. So when his character dies (Spoilers) It kinda takes out any heart this film has left.
Another good thing about this film is the action. Whilst jolty in some places is actually quite enjoyable. Particularly the finale when Henry is taking on an army of super soldiers. It was brutal, bloody and fun. This is one of the scenes where the first-person gimmick is highly effective as it put the viewer right into the action. If you love high adrenaline-filled sequences then you'll like this film.
Overall, this film was alright. But its video game style of storytelling doesn't really fit with a film and so audiences aren't given time to breath at all in the film. Also, the camerawork, whilst a cool gimmick, isn't really a good idea for a cinema scream as the joltiness of the camera is pretty annoying. Better off on a TV instead of cinema.
2/5
The use of GoPro cameras Hardcore Henry is both its highlight and its downfall. It really does help to immerse the viewer in this over-the-top world. Henry is the ultimate blank slate. The jumping point for the audience to understand what's going on and piece together everything. This is the best thing about the camerawork as it captures the spirit of first person gaming very well. However, it also makes it kinda difficult to watch at points. In YouTube videos that use GoPro cameras the camera is usually quite stable. This isn't the case in Harcore Henry. In most of the action scenes the camera work is quite shaky and this can be quite jarring for audiences. There were even a couple of times in the film I felt like leaving as I felt I was going to be sick.
As for the storyline, it was very much like a video game story. There was action in every turn and whenever it feels like the hero has completed his mission another obstacle is thrown at him. It reminded me a lot of Call Of Duty where there's always something else before you're about to finish the game. But this doesn't exactly translate very well to film. This kind of story works well for games as the player plays a huge part in the story. Films, however, do not require this. Because of this the constant action actually becomes a crutch after a while. Films require breathing spaces so that the audience are rested for the next action piece. Instead the audience gets no such rest and feel exhausted after a while.
Possibly the best part about this film is Shalto Copley who plays Jimmy. This character is more or less the exposition but it's always great when he's on screen. Copley's Jimmy takes on several character archetypes throughout the film (This is because the character is stuck in a wheelchair and so uses different Avatars of himself to converge with people). Copley adds most of the humour and emotion in this film. Primarily because Henry's character physically can't do any of that. So when his character dies (Spoilers) It kinda takes out any heart this film has left.
Another good thing about this film is the action. Whilst jolty in some places is actually quite enjoyable. Particularly the finale when Henry is taking on an army of super soldiers. It was brutal, bloody and fun. This is one of the scenes where the first-person gimmick is highly effective as it put the viewer right into the action. If you love high adrenaline-filled sequences then you'll like this film.
Overall, this film was alright. But its video game style of storytelling doesn't really fit with a film and so audiences aren't given time to breath at all in the film. Also, the camerawork, whilst a cool gimmick, isn't really a good idea for a cinema scream as the joltiness of the camera is pretty annoying. Better off on a TV instead of cinema.
2/5
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