Hanna is a perfect, unassuming assassin.
The 16-year-old is smaller in stature, somewhat shy, and has messy blond hair and ice blue eyes. She was part of a scientific experiment to create the perfect soldier. Trained by her father to bring down the brutal U.S. agent that has chased after her since birth, she can kill in an instant with her hands, a bow and arrow, or a gun.
Irish actress Saoirse Ronan (“The Lovely Bones,” “Atonement”) plays the title character in “Hanna;” an action-packed, suspenseful film where a seemingly innocent girl is raised as a killing machine—with more strength, endurance and intelligence than the average person could ever posses.
Ronan strays far from her previous dramatic roles, but the change proves worthwhile.
Starring alongside a distinguished Hollywood cast, including Eric Bana as her father Erik, and Cate Blanchett as Marissa, the evil woman searching for her. Ronan could have easily fallen behind as a rookie. However, her performance shows she can hold her own, proving she has the talent to take the strong female lead in a movie.
The fighting scenes are unbelievable as the audience witnesses a skinny, little girl who was raised in the desolate forests of Finland, kill her enemies one by one. She’s tested emotionally, mentally, and most of all, physically.
Youtube
Ronan brings effortless emotion to the film, and one can’t help but sympathize with her character as she’s on the run, struggling through coming-of-age scenarios in unfamiliar places, fighting to stay alive. But through these situations, the movie is filled with mild humor. After all, Hanna has never seen a television or kissed a boy before.
Hanna is forced to question her existence as she searches for her freedom and seeks revenge. Her journey across Europe to rid herself of the power Marissa holds over her shows Hanna there is more to life than just using her survival instincts to get by.
As if the suspense of the story line isn’t enough, The Chemical Brothers’ angst-filled soundtrack conjures a tense mood throughout and successfully heightens the drama.
“Hanna” isn’t just a film that movie buffs should go see to get their fill of an action-packed thriller. Sure it’s entertaining, but it may just be Ronan’s big breakout role. She’s certainly a star in the making.
