Hanna (2011)

This film starts out brilliantly and beautifully yet then dissolves into a quagmire of unexplained plot points, narrative discontinuity, an attempt to pattern itself like other films of the genre, an array of stereotypical characters that serve only to annoy and finally becomes a film that just sinks. Which is entirely disappointing.
The concept for this film is actually quite good and very entertaining. The protagonist Hanna is amazing, a young female Jason Bourne if you will. She hunts deer, drags them home across frozen landscape, fights like a man, escapes impossible situations. Robotic in action and tone she glides across the screen. Even the barely explained details of her situation are plausible enough to keep the audience engaged with the narrative. But that is where it then falls apart. Other than Hanna and her father every character in the film is ludicrous. The English family who takes Hanna along their journey, no questions asked through Morocco and Spain? The German bad guys who are into kink or obvious skinheads? And worst of all the always brilliant Cate Blanchett in one of the most god awful roles that great actress has ever been given. The role has her scattered so badly you cannot tell what the heck she is doing or supposed to be doing.
The film also starts out being shot superbly. The beginning of the film they took time to craft elegant and beautiful landscape shots, giving the camera time to gaze and it's audience time to enjoy the film. The contrasts from forest to desert for Hanna was visually stunning and magnificently done. But then, like the narrative it all falls apart. Seemingly they stop trying to compose shots and provide beautiful work in leiu of fast paced editing and expansive action to the detriment of the film. I understand that the pace has to quicken or you'll bore your audience but such a dichotomy from beginning to end is too harsh. Be one film or the other.
The final really impressive aspect was the score, artfully done by the Chemical Brothers. Only problem here though is they bluntly revved up the score right as manic action was to take place almost giving away the film as it was unfolding. As Erik (Eric Bana) walks into the subterranean area and the music cues louder, you know he's about to get into a fight. Where is the subtlety?
I liked this movie but I have to be harsh in my assessment. I think this film could have been remarkable and a classic but it falls short. I can almost see parallels between the protagonists of Hanna and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo but I hesitate to compare because one is so brilliant and one is left lacking. Still, rather entertaining.