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If you are not 18, please exit stage left. While there is normally nothing naughty here, I do write and review erotica so there are links to spicy stuff and the occasional heated excerpt.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Hanna : A Teenaged Badass Bitch

Yes, I finally, FINALLY watched Hanna with my friend and her daughter. I know it's only been out on DVD for a million years or so, but I'm putting in my two cents worth anyway. We LOVED this movie! And I was slap-happy to see a young movie heroine worthy of being called a heroine. My friend and I believe that Hanna actually broke G's heretofore disturbing fascination with Bella Swan. She said to me after the movie that she liked how Hanna saved herself and did her own butt-kicking because Bella always lets Edward and Jacob do it for her. How's that for pre-teen logic? It brought a tear to this ardent feminist's eye, I tell you.

I digress.

From opening sequence to final credit roll, Hanna was an ace flick. Saoirse Ronan is seriously freakin' talented. She rocked it as Hanna Heller, a girl who is the sole survivor of a CIA experiment and raised in the deep woods of Finland by her father to be a multi-lingual assassin. Hanna is intelligent, quick-thinking, fast on her feet and hellagood with weapons. She made me think of a cross between two of Joss Whedon's most famous badass bitches, Buffy and Zoe. If I were the parent of a young girl, Hanna would definitely be a character I would want her to like and pretend to be while at play.

This movie is one hell of a rush, too. There are very few slow parts and these serve as an intriguing counterpoint to all the breath-stealing action. Here we get to know Hanna and watch her figure out how to grow up. I loved the family she hooked up with. Olivia Williams and Jason Flemyng are superb as Rachel and Sebastien, a couple on a road trip with their two kids. Jessica Barden plays their daughter, Sophie. She is wise-cracking with attitude to spare and helps Hanna navigate the realm of teenagers. I just have to say that I think it is awesome that Hanna's first kiss comes with Sophie and not with the two boys they had hooked up with. G asked her mom and me if girls could kiss other girls like that for real and our answer was a resounding yes they absolutely can. And boys can kiss boys, too.

Cate Blanchett creates a whole new level of bitch in this film as Marissa Weigler, the CIA agent who oversaw the experimental medical program that Hanna's mother had belonged to. She has no hesitation in killing anyone who gets in her way and screws people over left and right, lying and using whatever means necessary to get what she wants. And in this case that is Hanna and her father dead. Eric Bana shows another side of his talent as the scientist, Erik Heller, who tried to right a serious wrong by helping Hanna's mother escape, then raising her daughter to have mad survival skills.

Everything about this movie was fantastic. From the stellar characters and Joe Wright's fierce direction to the outstanding screenplay by David Farr and Seth Lochhead, Hanna is an epic film. For G and all the little girls and teens out there like her, we need more girl-centric action films like this. I am so sick of movies that highlight boys and their adventures with girls, if they appear at all, relegated to playing sidekick or, gag me, love interest. I want a sequel to Hanna. :)

Speaking of more films like Hanna...

Haywire, Haywire, Haywire...Only 8 more weeks until Gina Carano stars as a black ops super soldier out for revenge. Until then, here's to my badass bitches out there and more books and movies about them.

**Photo on right appears courtesy of Alex Bailey/Focus Features

28 comments:

  1. Mel, it's been a while since the last time you wrote a movie review on your lovely blog. Very happy to see you back at reviewing movies, and even happier that you loved "Hanna". I did too. It was so subtle, yet so powerful, so artsy yet captivating. I loved pretty much everything about it. Definitely one of my favorite movies of the year. Gave it a 8.25 out of 10.

    Not sure what's happening with Demps and the nomination, but I'm so disappointed and frustrated, I now longer want to participate. His careless killed my enthusiasm. Sorry. :(

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  2. @Nebular It sure has been a long time since reviewed a film here, but I had to do it.I've got a couple more coming as well since I have had some time to check out ye olde Red Box at the Wal Mart. Glad you liked my review, I loved yours and that it was one of your highest rated 2011 films. :)

    Don't give up on Demps yet. It'll be all right, I swear. :)

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  3. Great review. I thought Hanna was terrific. I particularly appreciated that none of the characters were shorted and she came off pretty kick ass regardless.

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  4. I am a fan of your friends daughter now!! That is such a great analysis she made. I too wish there was more films or exposure of girls/women who don't need to rely on a man to get things done.
    Fantastic review!! I absolutely agree, it was a great film. I initially didn't put the story together (sadly) but pieced it together the next time I watched it. I think I became too focused on the amazing fight sequences, scenery and soundtrack over story line. : )

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  5. Excellent review! I really dug this film. An arthouse action flick.

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  6. @Brent Thanks! Yep,I agree that all the characters were standout and none were sacrificed to give Hanna more exposure or to make her look better.

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  7. @Nicole G will pleased to hear that. :) The amazing thing was that she came to these conclusions herself. I so wanted to point stuff out to her, but she figured it out. Smart girl, G is.

    Heck yeah, that scenery was spectacular. Oh and the fight scenes!! I almost didn't keep up with the story myself. :)

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  8. @Alex Thank you very much, my captain. I could go and on about this movie. It is definitely a favorite that I will have to own.

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  9. Yay! This one is up next in my Netflix Queue. Looking forward to it.

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  10. @L.G. You will love this. It really is a great action flick. And it's very intelligent as well.

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  11. @Julia Yes! You HAVE to see Hanna. I really think you would love it.

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  12. I really enjoyed Hanna. It reminded me of a modern fairy tale. I also liked the soundtrack.

    I am seriously looking forward to Haywire. I heard that some of the leading men of Haywire didn't like getting their butts kicked by Gina. I'm curious as to who it was.

    I'm glad they've finally got the hint to release decent movies in January.

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  13. @msmariah The music was fantastic. I've got to get it. Maybe I'll treat myself for my birthday in a couple of weeks.

    Figures some of those guys hated getting their butt kicked by Gina. I wonder who it was, too. I so cannot wait for Haywire. I'm happy they've gotten the hint to release good stuff then as well

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  14. This one kind of passed me by, which was a shame. But now it's out on DVD I can rectify that mistake. Thanks for the review :)

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  15. @Jamie Glad you liked my review. I think you'll really love it. :)

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  16. argh! this movie left me all ?????

    because i ADORE ronan. seriously.

    and the actual movie was so excellent!

    but that opening and closing echo?
    it just did not pack much of a punch for me and almost felt comical.

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  17. @vics I adore Ronan, too. I think she is an amazingly talented young actress. I liked the beginning and end. It was like bookends for me. But I can see what you're saying. :)

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  18. Here's to another badass review at the Imaginarium. Great work!
    xoRobyn

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  19. @robyn Thanks!! I love hearing such comments from you. I think you're pretty badass yourself. :)

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  20. Great review! I will be adding this to the Netflix queue too!

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  21. @Craig Thanks!! I'm happy you liked my review. I think you'll geta kick out of Saoirse and Cate as they duel each other.

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  22. Great review Mel :)
    i have this movie on my shelf since two months ago and I still couldn't watch it...after reading your review,I will watch it somewhere this week.

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  23. @bokunosekai Hi and welcome to the Imaginarium! I'm so happy you enjoyed my review and will watching Hanna. I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did. :)

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  24. I love the tag! Kick Ass Heroines!

    My ALL TIME favourite Genre. I loved Hanna from beginning to end. Ronan is pretty convincing in the role and the family gave the movie such a core sense of realism, something hard to achieve in a genre like this.

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  25. @Mind Kick Ass Heroines rule! It's my fave genre as well. The casting for Hanna was just spot on.

    Welcome to the Imaginarium, I look forward to hearing more from you. :)

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  26. Oh my god, little G's comment about Hanna Vs. Bella Swan made me ridiculously happy. Seriously, that might the best thing I've heard in a long time. It's SO GOOD to know that little kids can have a badass girl action hero to look up to. A little girl hero, a evil woman villain, a great little girl best friend. Feminist action flick? I think so. Sure, Eric Bana was important, but...as a supporting character who brought everyone else together. The movie definitely relied entirely on its badass chick, and that makes me happier than anything. Amazing review!

    HAYWIRE HAYWIRE HAYWIRE.

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  27. @M Amen sister!! I knew you would appreciate this review and love G's thoughts like I did. G's comment was very insightful and Hollywood should take note, hell Stephenie Meyer and writers like her should take note. No more boys taking over and solving everything. No more girl sidekicks, unless it's two or more girls and no more boy-centric action adventure stories. Turn the genre on its ear and start having girls kick more ass.

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