Looking for a cinematic experience teeming with relatable characters and a beautifully crafted plot? Well, don’t see Hardcore Henry. That’s okay, though, as the movie isn’t meant to be a Golden Globe winner and doesn’t take itself seriously. If killing an hour-and-a-half for an  entertaining, fast-paced, over-the-top action film seems appealing, this movie will satisfy. Taking the audience on a wild ride through the eyes of the protagonist, Henry, offers incredible scenes of brutal, unapologetic violence, making the admission price worth it. Unlike many action films, Henry stands out, as he has no voice and the audience sees events taking place through his eyes. In a genre saturated by ridiculous action and predictable plots, this first person perspective saves the movie from becoming another forgettable action film.

All cast members perform admirably, but the best is Sharlto Copley (District 9, Elysium), who brings hilarity and life into his character, Jimmy. Hardcore Henry delivers wonderfully dark humor, giving it another edge over the generic competition. I found myself laughing at a character’s sassy comment one second, then cringing as his head gets blown off a moment later. Even with these adrenaline-filled scenes, other aspects were letdowns. The main villain, Akan (Danila Kozlovsky), felt like a copy-and-pasted antagonist, lacking a backstory and depth. The way the movie presents the story can also be a minor problem. The first-person perspective is fresh but it can cause motion sickness with all the action. This may not be an issue for everyone, but it could taint the experience for people prone to headaches.

Hardcore Henry is by no means a revolutionary film and suffers from an underdeveloped villain, an underdeveloped plot and underdeveloped depth in general. However, as an action film, it delivers more than others in the genre and provides a satisfying weekend experience. While I don’t see the first person point of view catching on in other movies, it worked this time and justified the 10$ ticket.

4 out of 5 Gold K’s