STX Entertainment | Release Date: April 8, 2016
7.8
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 569 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
442
Mixed:
79
Negative:
48
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6
Q8MarrongGlaceAug 28, 2016
Enjoyable POV all the way from start to end , Some scene you'll feel like you're playing a game and just want to jump in or take control , also it's a funny kind of action and movie for me its my first time watching a whole film with a povEnjoyable POV all the way from start to end , Some scene you'll feel like you're playing a game and just want to jump in or take control , also it's a funny kind of action and movie for me its my first time watching a whole film with a pov cam with a lot well done effects cashing and action scenes everything was studied so well to make it as it is the only thing I was expecting a better story than running and killing but I guess the director and team wanted to prove something out of it , I guess they did ! Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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6
Rebecca31Apr 15, 2016
Starring Sharlto Copley and a couple of other actors whose names I didn’t bother to look up. Many of the scenes seem like they came straight from a bad video game but who cares about that, you’re watching this movie for the action, and youStarring Sharlto Copley and a couple of other actors whose names I didn’t bother to look up. Many of the scenes seem like they came straight from a bad video game but who cares about that, you’re watching this movie for the action, and you will not be disappointed. This is complete madness shot entirely in first person, not done very often and yes there are some up close and personal action sequences that may make you feel sick, but it’s gloriously gory. A well-deserved 18 rating. Pure entertainment so definitely recommended. Expand
4 of 5 users found this helpful41
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4
ryecaApr 11, 2016
A fairly dumb, one-note movie with occasionally fun moments and a few cool stunts, but mostly horrible acting, a plot straight from video-game cliches ("fight off the bad guys as the good guy slowly lowers down the level, I mean 'set'") and aA fairly dumb, one-note movie with occasionally fun moments and a few cool stunts, but mostly horrible acting, a plot straight from video-game cliches ("fight off the bad guys as the good guy slowly lowers down the level, I mean 'set'") and a villain straight out of a yaoi story. Expand
3 of 6 users found this helpful33
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4
ElectroNickApr 11, 2016
"Hardcore Henry" can be best described as an experimental film. I was intrigued with the concept of a whole action film shot entirely in first person view and the trailers showed some promise for this concept. Unfortunately , the concept did"Hardcore Henry" can be best described as an experimental film. I was intrigued with the concept of a whole action film shot entirely in first person view and the trailers showed some promise for this concept. Unfortunately , the concept did not do any thing for me. The action is visually impressive with stunts that were actually performed by the cast. The par-cor was also pretty impressive and the camera work made the city of Moscow feel like a character itself. However the camerawork actually gave me a few bits of motion sickness. I had gotten a few headaches from viewing the film after the first hour. The first person camera could have immersed the viewer into a gripping story but unfortunately the story itself is merely nothing more than a connection of the action sequences. The action sequences are impressive The characters themselves are merely there to play a specific role. The main love interest is only there to be a love interest and the main villain is only there to be a villain. In fact one plot thread that didn't lead anywhere was how the main villain has magnetic like powers. I was hoping that it would be explained but instead it was frustratingly put in the film with no explanation. Henry himself is really nothing more than a blank slate for the viewer to put themselves in order to immerse the audience into the experience. It is a commendable effort but it failed to do this for me personally. In my opinion this kind of perspective works well in a video game since I am directly in control of the character but in a film though we are watching through the perspective of a character in a story that is non interactive. The one character who does stand out was the scientist named Jimmy. His motivation was what got me enrolled into the plot and his eccentric personality got some laughs out of me as well. This film will have a massive fan base since the concept is unique but I am personally baffled by the critics saying that it is the best action film since" Mad Max Fury Road" . What made "Fury Road" work was the fact the action was supported b a narrative with a simple surface with complex layers and it had characters who the audience could route for against an adversary who was intimidating. At the end of the day though, your enjoyment of the film will sole-fully depend on how much you are willing to tolerate the shaky cam and first person view. It lacks any kind o nuance but to the films credit though, it knows what it wanted to be and didn't try to overstep its bounds. It will please a lot of people but it just wasn't for me. Expand
3 of 6 users found this helpful33
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4
aadityamudharApr 17, 2016
Two users got lucky on this one... they gave it a positive rating before the movie's even released. Typical Metacritic website designers bringing all the users in the box before the movie's even released. Hardcore Henry, sadly, does notTwo users got lucky on this one... they gave it a positive rating before the movie's even released. Typical Metacritic website designers bringing all the users in the box before the movie's even released. Hardcore Henry, sadly, does not deserve a positive. It deserves a mixed score like what we normally give movies. Good luck giving it a positive score, users, because Hardcore Henry's just another one-of-those-mixed-movies-that-should-have-been-great movies. Expand
2 of 4 users found this helpful22
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5
tjman09Apr 16, 2016
With such a focus on originality today, many filmmakers feel pressured to go out and find the next big thing. Unfortunately, the POV first person camera may be the next big fad in Hollywood, and that’s not good. Hardcore Henry is veryWith such a focus on originality today, many filmmakers feel pressured to go out and find the next big thing. Unfortunately, the POV first person camera may be the next big fad in Hollywood, and that’s not good. Hardcore Henry is very original, but has no real story, and contains a lot of nauseating camera work. The biggest problem, is us, we’ve encouraged things like this film to happen, and now we have it.
Today’s critics seem to latch onto one critique more than any other, and that is the originality argument. Many people will tell you no film today is really original, but then a film like this comes along. Shot like a videogame this film is original in both look and narrative, however, the focus on creating this video game like look lead to a weak storyline. It seems sad that our generation just craves things that are original, so much so that when we get it, we don’t care about quality.
The greatest flaw of the film is the narrative, or serious lack thereof. Many, if not all, characters are grossly underdeveloped, especially the villain who is goofy and weak. The story is more of a incoherent assembly of scenes, that does little more than further the confusion. It seems that from the outset, Hardcore Henry was always about the POV feel and look. It is ironic, because the film is plotless, and the action doesn’t really look good either.
The gimmick of this film is for the audience to feel like they are in the shoes of the main character. The problem is the main character bobs and weaves so much the film is more on a nauseating set of fight scenes. On top of the terribly shaky action sequences, where very little is visible, the film is poorly edited, furthering the confusing story by jumping around randomly. On top of that, the way the characters and story are presented, time in the film is totally jumbled, and nothing seems to make sense until the end of the film, at which time it’s too late.
In conclusion Hardcore Henry, is an all-out attack on it’s viewers senses, as they are put through a non stop set of nauseating action sequences. The film has no real story, and throws characters in and out of the film, creating a confusing mess of a story. So yes the film is original, but that doesn’t make it good or worth watching, because there’s a gross lack of craft in this film. I suggest you don’t watch this film because the only selling point is the new POV shooting style, which alone is not enough to make a good movie.
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1 of 3 users found this helpful12
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4
danielnitesApr 8, 2016
Maybe with all of the advancement in VR tech, it's a good idea to make a film that satisfies one's deepest desires not achievable in AAA titles. Or...maybe not. "Hardcore Henry" is an action-packed (emphasis on the "packed") 90-minute 1stMaybe with all of the advancement in VR tech, it's a good idea to make a film that satisfies one's deepest desires not achievable in AAA titles. Or...maybe not. "Hardcore Henry" is an action-packed (emphasis on the "packed") 90-minute 1st person thrill ride that puts audience members in a visceral and nauseating position. The endless barrage of action sequences stacked on Cloverfield-approved camerawork may have you regretting not picking up a couple of aspirins before the opening trailers.

The early 2000s game plotline opens on a lab setting where synthetic goodies are being stitched to the protagonist/director/audience's body by an increasing gorgeous Estelle (Haley Bennett) who claims to be the wife of said character Henry. Just before our hero's voice can be activated, the lab is raided by heavy-armed men at the command of telekinetic albino antagonist Akan (Danila Kozlovsky) whose B-button weapon is the death of story originality. Next, there's the first of many struggles, complete with an impossible dive from the airship housing the lab and the inevitable kidnapping (inciting incident) of Henry's wife.

A classic run'n'gun-inspired button tutorial follows as Henry makes his way through Moscow until he encounters an alley named Jimmy (Sharlto Copley) who feeds him mini-missions which ultimately lead him to the final boss who wants to take...over the world? Gripping.

"Henry" is a free-for-all of the most epic moments in video game history adapted into live-action form. No matter how impossible, no matter how grotesque, it check off every gamer's to-do list without breaking a sweat or breathing for that matter. At times, it feels more like the creator's personal quest to produce the world's first action trope encyclopedia than a Friday night flick.

The excessive stuffing of crude excitement eventually becomes the film's undoing as we are left with little personal involvement aside from Copley's comedic antics. If doused in paint thinner, it would be unfortunately reduced to a VFX YouTube playlist, modern stereotypes and a thinning plot.

Still, newcomer Ilya Naishuller's technical direction reflects a struggle for true innovation in the action genre and whose efforts closely align with those undertaken decades ago by a young George Lucas with a breakthrough experiment called THX 1138. While innovation may be present, cinematic merit is awarded to quality, not quantity much of which is absent from the film's foundation.

The muted superpowered hero and the creative annihilation of the interchangeable NPCs may speak to the Millennials whose ideas of entertainment are built around the freedom of Grand Theft Auto and the immersive nature of Battlefield, but ultimately the film's incapability of delivering user control, the most alluring feature of such an experiment, denies itself submission to the list of great modern action films.

There has always been a thin line between gimmick and game-changer but taking a half-hearted step forward is only two steps back.

--FilmReviewWeekly
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3 of 13 users found this helpful310
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4
EpicLadySpongeApr 8, 2016
Two users got lucky on this one... they gave it a positive rating before the movie's even released. Typical Metacritic website designers bringing all the users in the box before the movie's even released. Hardcore Henry, sadly, does notTwo users got lucky on this one... they gave it a positive rating before the movie's even released. Typical Metacritic website designers bringing all the users in the box before the movie's even released. Hardcore Henry, sadly, does not deserve a positive. It deserves a mixed score like what we normally give movies. Good luck giving it a positive score, users, because Hardcore Henry's just another one-of-those-mixed-movies-that-should-have-been-great movies. Expand
3 of 14 users found this helpful311
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6
TributeManApr 18, 2016
This is F war!

Hardcore Henry to pierwszy film, na którym (dosłownie) zrobiło mi się niedobrze, a głowa bolała jeszcze długo po seansie. Nie spowodowała tego (bardzo) płytka historia, słabe dialogi albo przedziwna gra aktorska. Odruchy
This is F war!

Hardcore Henry to pierwszy film, na którym (dosłownie) zrobiło mi się niedobrze, a głowa bolała jeszcze długo po seansie. Nie spowodowała tego (bardzo) płytka historia, słabe dialogi albo przedziwna gra aktorska. Odruchy wymiotne powoduje szalejąca na wszystkie strony kamera. Film jest nakręcony z oczu gł. bohatera, co daje Henremu pewną oryginalność. Myślę, że warto zobaczyć. Rzadko jest okazja do obejrzenia tego typu filmu na srebrnym ekranie.
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1 of 5 users found this helpful14
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5
JulesMiraApr 21, 2016
The plot and dialogue is very confusing and really hard to follow. There isn't much background put into it in order to understand the story behind it. Although it is interesting that it is an action/science-fiction. And as well as how theThe plot and dialogue is very confusing and really hard to follow. There isn't much background put into it in order to understand the story behind it. Although it is interesting that it is an action/science-fiction. And as well as how the film was shot in a first person view was a little hard on the eyes in certain parts and it was hard to make out what was going on with too much jittering Expand
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
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6
BroyaxJul 25, 2018
C'est un défi de tourner un film entièrement en vue subjective, la vue de nombreux jeux vidéo à succès depuis belle lurette déjà... un défi pas totalement relevé ici, la faute sans doute à cette vue elle-même qui devient souvent confuse dansC'est un défi de tourner un film entièrement en vue subjective, la vue de nombreux jeux vidéo à succès depuis belle lurette déjà... un défi pas totalement relevé ici, la faute sans doute à cette vue elle-même qui devient souvent confuse dans l'action : essayez simplement de courir avec une caméra vissée sur la caboche, vous verrez que c'est très pénible à regarder...

Il aurait fallu un stabilisateur ou un genre de steadycam mais également des ralentis pour ralentir l'action, car le corps-à-corps est évidemment confus et bordélique à souhait... de même que les poursuites qui filent presque la migraine... C'est le souci quand on fait un film entier avec une Go Pro ! L'avantage (au moins), c'est que le montage est très calme sinon on y capterait vraiment que dalle.

Mais le film a d'autres atouts, comme son ultra-violence déjantée, ses fusillades et ses explosions qui assurent un spectacle qui ne faiblit décidément pas ! et un nombre de macabés impressionnant au compteur : une forte concurrence à un John Wick ou un A Toute Epreuve (il y a certainement photo à l'arrivée...). Film déjanté de bout en bout donc dont le scénario ne tient qu'à un fil très ténu auquel on ne fait pas attention, simple prétexte à une action délirante...

Une expérience assez intéressante en tout cas, une sorte de curiosité que seuls des Russes imbibés de vodka pouvaient oser et mener plus ou moins à bien... Hardcore jusqu'à la dernière seconde !
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0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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6
ryu9376Nov 3, 2018
Hardcore Henry was violence with violence with a side of violence... I'll be damn if I've seen anything like this in my 40 plus years of living... Daaaaamn.
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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6
SchroederRockJun 1, 2016
Hardcore Henry is a blitzkrieg of action and mayhem. You won't be treated to a comprehensive story and loads of background information that ties everything together, you're just thrown into a nonstop string of violence and self-defense. WhileHardcore Henry is a blitzkrieg of action and mayhem. You won't be treated to a comprehensive story and loads of background information that ties everything together, you're just thrown into a nonstop string of violence and self-defense. While it isn't the worst movie ever, HH will polarize audiences, either in a love it or hate it fashion. I rather enjoyed the first person view - it was hard to look away, but it could have easily gotten out of control had the movie been any longer than 90 minutes. It's a gamble but Hardcore Henry might be one of the more interesting movies you see this year or years to come. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
csw12Jun 1, 2016
Hardcore Henry is a nauseating, sick, first person video game that was so ridiculous it at times became funny................................................
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5
BrianMcCriticJul 30, 2016
This film throws punch after punch at you with a lot landing but by the end your kind of tired and you really just need a breather. Interesting for awhile but couldn't make it last. C
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
badgerryan19May 19, 2017
Awesome stunts, and action scenes. But the shaky cam sometimes becomes too much. Lack of story really holds this back from being great. A lot of video game cliche moments aswell but i didn't mind them. Sharlto Copley was fantastic as heAwesome stunts, and action scenes. But the shaky cam sometimes becomes too much. Lack of story really holds this back from being great. A lot of video game cliche moments aswell but i didn't mind them. Sharlto Copley was fantastic as he always is. But if you like FPS's this is for you. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
CineAutoctonoOct 12, 2016
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. "Hardcore Henry" was a movie, with some interesting touches, the cinematography is amazing, is handling the cyborg Henry and captures everything you see, the "little" cast (as we have Haley Bennett, Sharlto Copley and that Russian with hairstyle rock not know his name) was very good, and the action sequences were spectacular, although they are a little out of control, 8For there is much blood in those scenes) are very good, and the end, man, I expected, instead of Estelle loved Henry, now hates him for killing Akan, but more can be done, killed by **** but at last it was good the movie and very good about everything. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
VadertimeAug 24, 2018
I actually found this quite entertaining for a rainy, Saturday afternoon. Although at times, the first person point-of-view camera made me quite dizzy with all the action and rapid changes in perspective. Loved the ending with the decaptiation.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
tenfyrMay 12, 2016
Despite the initial nausea induced by the constant camera motion, a result of the camera being strapped to the protagonists head, there were some enjoyable moments in this non stop action movie. These moments however were tarnished by theDespite the initial nausea induced by the constant camera motion, a result of the camera being strapped to the protagonists head, there were some enjoyable moments in this non stop action movie. These moments however were tarnished by the appearance of the antagonist, who seemed to me to be the amalgamation of movie history's worst clichéd villains. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
SchMay 21, 2016
Not great in theaters, but it seems like it would be worth watching in VR. Can't wait to try that out. Once they release this in VR I'll watch it again for sure...
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
JonZsuJun 26, 2016
Although the story is not inspiring, the performances of the cast is overwhelmed by the cinematic techniques, Hardcore Henry as an entertainment is without its pleasures to watch. It's an interesting experiment on how many people would love aAlthough the story is not inspiring, the performances of the cast is overwhelmed by the cinematic techniques, Hardcore Henry as an entertainment is without its pleasures to watch. It's an interesting experiment on how many people would love a see a 96-minute fist-person video gameplay in theaters. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
skeptic303Oct 20, 2016
Hardcore Henry is a first-person hyper-violent movie that receives high praise from those who like hyper-violent movies and think that the first-person angle is revolutionary. For the rest, it's unmistakably incoherent. Does anyone realizeHardcore Henry is a first-person hyper-violent movie that receives high praise from those who like hyper-violent movies and think that the first-person angle is revolutionary. For the rest, it's unmistakably incoherent. Does anyone realize that the first-person angle is merely another word for found-footage?
It actually is rather bad to be very clear. There is no one who is human in this film and barely any story to go around. When story and plot elements are introduced, they are guaranteed to be stupid. I'll restate the fact that there is nothing revolutionary about this movie and there is barely anything of any substance whatsoever throughout this film.
I'll credit the movie for some of the first-person shots in this movie that deserved to be shot in first-person and the fact that the action, though tiring after a while, held my interest for what it was worth. But the first person angle is so shaky that it actually ruins the quality of much of the action. For me, this is a throwaway film; if I want something completely mindless, I can imagine watching this movie again. Otherwise, it's only worthy of a seal of expendability.
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6
LoletinAlexisJun 6, 2018
Hardcore Henry is a movie that feels too long. The concept is fine, but not surprising. The CGI at times is horror.
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6
drone41Feb 9, 2018
Very interesting way to direct the movie. You feel like you are in some video game. A little expected end, but it's okay.
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