Read Mixed User Reviews for Blackhat

4

TVJerryJan 19, 2015

The subject matter (international cybercrime) and director Michael Mann (often stylistically innovative) promised a cool look at this timely subject. Unfortunately, it quickly turns into a typical Bourne-type actioner with a few keystrokesThe subject matter (international cybercrime) and director Michael Mann (often stylistically innovative) promised a cool look at this timely subject. Unfortunately, it quickly turns into a typical Bourne-type actioner with a few keystrokes thrown in. Chris Hemsworth plays a jailed hacker, whose brought out of jail and onto the case to track down the criminal who's already caused a nuclear disaster. There's a lackluster love interest that slows down what little momentum that exists. Nothing about the approach or the writing is original and the sluggish pace isn't augmented by any of Mann's visual style.… Expand

3 of 6 users found this helpful33

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4

quincytheodoreJan 21, 2015

There's no sugar coating it, Blackhat is terrible. It has agonizingly slow pace, stupid logic and a barrage of tech lingo which withers your will to watch it till the end. It's surprising that this is the work of Michael Mann who producedThere's no sugar coating it, Blackhat is terrible. It has agonizingly slow pace, stupid logic and a barrage of tech lingo which withers your will to watch it till the end. It's surprising that this is the work of Michael Mann who produced much superior film, Collateral, more than a decade ago. Chris Hemsworth as lead is willing, he makes the best out of his character, even if it seems he's lost most of the time.

The story revolves around a cyber terrorist attack on Hong Kong nuclear plant. Chris Hemsworth, because his screen name isn't memorable enough, is called to consult on apprehending the hacker responsible for this act. At first glance this is supposed to be cerebral endeavor, but it does not even come close. In fact, regular mundane investigation requires arduous effort. Finding the simplest clues will take five minutes of narrative, and this is done with incredibly alienating script. Plenty of terms that might not be familiar to audience, and even if that's not an issue, the movie repeats itself too many times without adding much.

There is no satisfying master plan, or even basic plan at all. Characters make the bad decisions such as not taking cover in fire fight or doing illicit deed in public, these are supposed to be agents sent to resolve international incident and mastermind behind it. In no realistic realm these scenarios could work, but they stupidly do, only for the sake of the plot. It disappoints in every turn, after all the nifty computer screen, I daresay Fast & Furious 5 plan of dragging bank vault makes more sense.

If the movie does anything right, it's the use of setting and cinematography. Michael Mann has a certain style which produces an authentic feel of any place the characters play in. Some scenes extenuate the long pace with unbridled view of buildings and the city. Unfortunately, with such thin substance it feels like a long boring drive at best.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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5

NotoriousFraudJan 20, 2015

I was let down by 'Blackhat', a movie from one of my favorite directors (Michael Mann) that seemed to have an interesting story that had relevance in the real world from the wake of the recent Sony hacks and the rise in cyber crimes that areI was let down by 'Blackhat', a movie from one of my favorite directors (Michael Mann) that seemed to have an interesting story that had relevance in the real world from the wake of the recent Sony hacks and the rise in cyber crimes that are perpetrated more and more in recent days. However, the plot moves at an excruciatingly slow pace that would challenge even the most attentive viewer from falling asleep. There are multiple scenes that have no importance to the story that should have been cut out, it's like the movie was still on the editing table when it was sent to theaters. There are a few good things about it, the gunfights were gritty and non exaggerated proving that Mann can still do decent gun play that is more accurate opposed to the infinite clip that we are used to seeing in many other movies, the cinematography is also very good and it was really nice to just look at the beautiful landscapes and backgrounds of the locations they filmed in Hong Kong and Jakarta. The acting was a very mixed bag considering most of the main characters are miscast i mean come on Thor as a hacker come on, Viola Davis was the best part of the movie as the no nonsense Carol Barrett and it seemed she was the only one trying here. My main fret with this movie is the Antagonist, he is never given the treatment that past Mann antagonists had. In 'Collateral' we had Tom Cruise give an excellent performance as Vincent, and in 'Heat' Robert DeNiro gave another fantastic performance as Neil McCauley. What both of these characters have in common is that they are written terrifically. In Blackhat, not so much. The antagonist is not only miscast, but is written without an objective and there is no reason given for him to cause destruction other than 'just because'. Blackhat is a competently directed but slackly written thriller that will most likely bore audiences than thrill them.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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5

WJSDec 4, 2015

Chris Hemsworth is a good looking guy, but not a very versatile actor. I really don't think that he can play anything else but Thor. This movie is very long, and flashy and somewhat miscast. The direction is pedestrian at best and theChris Hemsworth is a good looking guy, but not a very versatile actor. I really don't think that he can play anything else but Thor. This movie is very long, and flashy and somewhat miscast. The direction is pedestrian at best and the narrative seems very uneven and confused. To me, it plays out like a very expensive episode of an American espionage TV show, such as "The Blacklist" or "Scorpion". The shame for me is how it really wasted the talents of Viola Davis, who is so much better than this.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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5

BshopJan 16, 2015

Good pacing, average story. Keep me entertained, but not much else. Reminded me of the Taken series, except with more computers and supporting characters.
There are a few good twists, but the love story felt forced (not sure why, it just didGood pacing, average story. Keep me entertained, but not much else. Reminded me of the Taken series, except with more computers and supporting characters.
There are a few good twists, but the love story felt forced (not sure why, it just did alright!). A few of the fellow patrons gasped at the fighting/explosion scenes, so there's that as well.
In summary, wait for rental or VOD. If you must see a movie in the near future, American Sniper provides more emotional acting and realism than this movie. I'm hungry for Chinese food now.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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4

djniceyFeb 23, 2015

I was looking forward to this movie and thought it might have a niche appeal that resulted in the low scores, but unfortunately its just a very average film. The pacing is glacial, it takes too long for the story and the characters to developI was looking forward to this movie and thought it might have a niche appeal that resulted in the low scores, but unfortunately its just a very average film. The pacing is glacial, it takes too long for the story and the characters to develop and there is no urgency to catch the perpetrators, I thought the ending wasn't a very satisfactory conclusion to the plot and thought a lot of potential had been wasted. I won't go in to the plot holes and inconsistencies as you have to suspend your reasoning for these type of films.

There were some gripping parts in the film, and it is certainly watchable, but its really a straight-to-DVD title and nothing special.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

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4

duncan1964Jun 29, 2015

Hacking is a hard criminal activity to make cinematic, and while Michael Mann tries hard he never really succeeds. Hemsworth is an almost impossibly buff and attractive criminal and as he travels the world helping to apprehend the hackers theHacking is a hard criminal activity to make cinematic, and while Michael Mann tries hard he never really succeeds. Hemsworth is an almost impossibly buff and attractive criminal and as he travels the world helping to apprehend the hackers the film starts to look more and more like a Versace commercial. Manns visuals are as impressive as ever, but the film feels hollow and inconsequential, when it should feel vital and important… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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6

ledaumasJan 17, 2015

I hate to take off points because I don't like how the story went, but I was wanting a story about cyber intrigue. That would have been so much moe interesting. Instead, we get a combination of a Snowden and Thor, when you know a Snowden typeI hate to take off points because I don't like how the story went, but I was wanting a story about cyber intrigue. That would have been so much moe interesting. Instead, we get a combination of a Snowden and Thor, when you know a Snowden type doesn't punch, shoot, use a knife, and kill like that. I also wish they'd hold the camera still when people are running. I guess we're supposed to believe that Swiss Euroes exist, or maybe that was a goof. Although, I did not enjoy the blood and guts, the scenery was impressive.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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6

theofficeJan 25, 2015

I found the movie a little slow at times. The story was pretty cool once you got into it but I can see how your typical moviegoer who doesn't have the slightest understanding of this kind of stuff would get lost. I'm no computer expert but ifI found the movie a little slow at times. The story was pretty cool once you got into it but I can see how your typical moviegoer who doesn't have the slightest understanding of this kind of stuff would get lost. I'm no computer expert but if you at least follow the basic news and know about malware you can easily understand it. I think my main issue was that the actors didn't seem too into the scenes (very laid back about the circumstances around them) and that the plot makes you think the stakes for finding the villian are very large until you get towards the end and figure it out. And finally it just felt a little drawn out. Honestly though it was still overall fun to watch. The story is different and mostly interesting so that alone I think is good enough reason to at least rent it.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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4

eagleeyevikingJan 24, 2016

While thrilling, suspenseful and exciting at times, Blackhat is also often punctuated by a dour tone, an incomprehensible plot and poor cinematography.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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5

ToFewViewsMay 14, 2015

Black Hat is a movie that relies on star power to make the film, Chris Hemsworth in the lead roll did a adamant job in his roll but he was about the only memorable actor in the film. Most the other Actors/Actresses in the film fall flat andBlack Hat is a movie that relies on star power to make the film, Chris Hemsworth in the lead roll did a adamant job in his roll but he was about the only memorable actor in the film. Most the other Actors/Actresses in the film fall flat and just don't ever feel like key characters. The story of bringing a hacker out of prison to help save the rest of the world from another hacker feels a little convoluted and weird. The action in the movie was done right, Gun fire is loud and bullets rips through the environment and makes you feel like it's not just blanks being fired.Sadly beyond that there wasn't much else I found stood out from the rest the mediocre story and un-needed love interest just pulled me away from the film. Black Hat is a Decent weekend action film if your looking for something to watch but you'll probably forget about it after a few days.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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6

LeZeeNov 4, 2016

It's about the virtual terrorism and fighting back it in the same way.

This is the story of the United States and China, that also involves some of the southeast Asian nations when the story takes us there. So this tale is about anIt's about the virtual terrorism and fighting back it in the same way.

This is the story of the United States and China, that also involves some of the southeast Asian nations when the story takes us there. So this tale is about an explosion at a Chinese nuclear plant and followed by the investigation conducted by the US and Chinese collaboration, the cops hire a convicted hacker to fast up the process and to nab the culprit who was behind the power plant disaster. These people begin their hunting by tracking the clues to the different locations and where they finally land and how it all come end told in the rest of the film.

I felt it was a too much realistic presentation. Like a documentary film quality, but full suspense filled story that stretched to over two hours. So sometimes it was very boring, because slowing down in any big development. At a time, some of the important scenes accomplished so fast like most of the action sequences. It mainly revolved around hacking plot, but was not that intelligent, so can be understood by everyone.

Initially I disliked those circuit board graphics, which I thought was a good detail, but too much for a film like this and it never looked so convincing. The film was average, but I anticipated lot better than that. I liked the actors though. Whether it was Chris Hemsworth or the Chinese counterparts, all were decent according to what the tale required. The film is not for everybody, particularly if you don't like slow narration, you should not consider it to watch. But the film is not bad for once viewing.

6/10… Expand

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4

BITESCREENJun 22, 2017

Lange war Michael Mann der Inbegriff stilvollen Actionkinos: Filme wie Heat erzeugten mit fast dokumentarischen Stadtbildern und perfekt getimter Action eine hypnotische Wirkung. Auch der Thriller Blackhat beginnt vielversprechend: DenLange war Michael Mann der Inbegriff stilvollen Actionkinos: Filme wie Heat erzeugten mit fast dokumentarischen Stadtbildern und perfekt getimter Action eine hypnotische Wirkung. Auch der Thriller Blackhat beginnt vielversprechend: Den Hacker-Angriff auf ein Atomkraftwerk inszeniert Mann als berauschende Kamerafahrt über Lüfter, Platinen und glühende Kühlstäbe – so nah war man der digitalen Bedrohung noch nie. Doch als Hauptdarsteller Chris Hemsworth das erste Mal seinen Mund öffnet und ein peinlicher Hollywood-Oneliner herausplumpst, dämmert es: Blackhat spielt in einer ganz anderen Liga. Der klischeehafte Plot um einen ex-kriminellen Hacker, der dem Zu-dumm-für-seinen-Job-FBI aus der Cyber-Terrorismus-Patsche hilft, garantiert 133 Minuten Langeweile. Mit Fußfessel und hübscher Begleitung reist man durch halb Asien und tut nichts als auf Tastaturen zu hämmern. Selbst die wenigen Schießereien – eigentlich Manns Steckenpferd – sind peinlich, unlogisch und nicht einmal packend. Nach Nolan und Scott driftet mit Michael Mann scheinbar ein weiterer Visionär in die Belanglosigkeit ab.… Expand

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4

JLuis_001Sep 6, 2017

Blackhat is a rather daring but uncool thriller telling the story of an imprisoned hacker who is recruited by the FBI to help them thwart an international cyber-terrorist.
At its best, Mann's work explores the thin line separating good fromBlackhat is a rather daring but uncool thriller telling the story of an imprisoned hacker who is recruited by the FBI to help them thwart an international cyber-terrorist.
At its best, Mann's work explores the thin line separating good from evil, recognizing the moral complexities of the modern world but the film loses its grasp really fast and becomes a mere excuse for an action movie.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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4

NickTheCritickAug 27, 2022

The first 30 minutes of the movie are great. The problem is what remains of the movie after that. This feels like one of the worst Mann movies, the cast doesn't help the director here. Acting is as bad as the screenplay.

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