Hardcore Harry... Peter's Post

My long time gaming friend, Peter Bogdasarian, writes as well as he games/designs. A prolific designer, he is the author of the Corps Command and Tank on Tank series as well as a module designer for Incursion. Of course all that is in addition to practicing Interplanetary Law, or something like that. Sometimes he watches movies. Occasionally he emails his point of view to his friends. With his permission I'm posting his short review of Hardcore Harry below. 

HARDCORE HENRY is a movie shot entirely in the first person perspective which just came out this weekend. The template was a pair of music videos done by the director for a Russian band called Biting Elbows (you can find them on Youtube).

Folks, I *cannot* believe this movie got a theatrical release. I honestly believe this is the most violent movie I have ever seen in general release (vs. college or arts theater) - we are talking MACHINE GIRL or VERSUS levels of violence. Furthermore, it is about as batshit crazy as those two films even when it isn't killing people.

The first person view is explored brilliantly - it is a gimmick but it is still a good one. The stunts have a completely different, frenetic impact - motion, space and body are different templates in this view than in 3p (martial arts, for instance, no longer resemble graceful but combative dance but become herky jerky explosions of flailing perspective ending in someone's misery; bailing from a helicopter has you straining in your seat with the hope you hit water and not land). That said, if you have any problems with motion sickness DO NOT SEE THIS because it will drive you from the theater.

Plot is basic. Henry wakes up as a cyborg with his scientist wife standing over him. Henry doesnt have his vocal circuits activated so he is your standard silemt videogame protagonist. He goes on the run from an evil telekinetic and his army of mercs and tries to rescue his wife. Occasionally one person tries to help him (I don't want to spoil a very nice twist here so all I will say is Sharlto Copley finally gets a worthy role as follow up to DISTRICT 9 and his musical number (with dancing!) is inspired). Cars are driven, tanks are stormed with a sword, helicopters are boarded and more people than you meet in the average week are killed along the way.

Half of you should see this movie at all costs, the other half should wonder why it is this ever got made. I will pre-order the DVD.