RELEASING:  Focus Features

CAST: Hanna… SAOIRSE RONAN; Erik… ERIC BANA; Johanna Zadeck… VICKY KREIPS; Marissa… CATE BLANCHETT; Sophie… JESSICA BARDEN; Miles… ALDO MALAND; Rachel… OLIVIA WILLIAMS; Sebastian… JASON FLEMYNG; Isaacs… TOM HOLLANDER; Titch… SEBASTIAN HÜLK; Razor… JOEL BASMAN; Knepfler… MARTIN WUTTKE.

SYNOPSIS: Hanna (RONA) is bright, inquisitive, and a devoted 16 year old daughter. Raised by her widowed father Erik (BANA), an ex-CIA operative, in the wilds of North Finland she has the strength, the stamina, and the smarts of a
Soldier as Erik has taught Hanna to hunt, put her through extreme self-defense workouts, and home-schooled her. Hanna is unlike any teenager her age. Her training is focused on making her the perfect assassin.

Out in the world there Erik has unfinished business and he realizes he can no longer hold Hanna back from meeting their destiny head on. Hanna decides it is time and separates from Erik to embark on her life’s mission. Before the dominos begin to fall they make plans to reunite as planned in Berlin,

The switch is flipped, Hanna is captured by agents dispatched by intelligence operative Marissa Wiegler (BLANCHETT), a career agent who has long been harboring secrets that tie her to Hanna and Erik. Hanna is taken for observation and held beneath the Moroccan desert, but soon turns the tables on her captors in a daring escape. She finds herself in an unfamiliar landscape she faces startling revelations about her existence and unexpected questions about her humanity, and Erik’s parting words serve as a constant reminder of her deadly situation – “Adapt or die.”

REVIEW: At its core, HANNA blends 60’s/70’s European spy thrillers – more so than the more recent “Bourne” films – with the sci-fi theme of genetically engineered soldiers, and crafts the tone after a modern day fairy tale. It’s a strong film, with a PG-13 rating, that adolescent daughters and their fathers can share an entertaining movie outing, just like my Dad and I used to enjoy sci-fi epics at the drive-in (especially “Planet of the Ape” films).

Director Joe Wright and Cinematographer Alwin Küchler beautifully capture the stunning locations used in the film. It’s an extremely well shot film. The action sequences are skillfully shot and edited to satisfy action fans and still squeak out a PG-13 rating, given the violence and the blood that remains. I appreciated the way the filmmakers juxtapose the fairy tale themes at the beginning and the end of the film, even in the cinematography and locations. Accenting the emotional moments and really kicking up the action sequences is an engaging score by The Chemical Brothers.

The screenplay is cleverly written. I might be reaching, but I felt there was this element to the relationship between Hanna and Erik that reminded me of “Bambi.” However, once the switch is flipped – you’ll understand the reference once you see the film – Bambi turns into La Femme Nikita. There are moments HANNA harkens back to Luc Besson’s “The Professional,” but that is only in tone as this story has very little in common with that plot. Intelligence operative Marissa Wiegler is written and shot in a way that absolutely brings to mind the nastiest of the Disney villainesses. Again, I like the way the story comes film circle and the climax mirrors the opening. HANNA has a few unresolved plot points and it’s not clear if it’s a screenplay issue or a result of editing. I imagined the filmmakers being asked to address those issues in a pitch or production meeting and responding, “We can address those issues in the sequel!”

HANNA features a great cast. Eric Bana brings strength and a regal father quality to his character, coupled with impressive action scenes. Cate Blanchett is delightfully wicked, and as devices as Gray Oldman’s performance in “The Professional.” Saoirse Ronan is superb as Hanna. You believe her sense of wonder and fear at experiencing the world for the first time with both a poetic and lethal balance. Even though she is the deadliest creature in the forest she maintains a sense of innocence. The supporting cast delivers a wonderful mix of comedy, drama, and intensity that supports the narrative, enhances tension, and sustains the viewer’s immersion in the tale.

HANNA is a sold and well crafted thriller/spy yarn with well placed fairy tale tones. HANNA is dazzling to behold in both its epic cinematography and action sequences, kicked up by excellent performances and a killer score. If you and your kids like action films, Anime, Manga, etc., HANNA is an edgy film adolescent action flick that is a perfect Daddy/Daughter movie outing, and an excellent primer to some of the great films of the genre.

HANNA official website – www.HannaTheMovie.com

**Based on the regular $13.00 ticket prices at a Manhattan Theater.