Saoirse Ronan as "Hanna" Photo Credit: Alex Bailey Focus Features

Saoirse Ronan is Fearless in "Hanna"

Out in acres upon acres of snowy fields, audiences can almost feel the arctic chill through the sound of the bustling wind whistling through the frigid forests of Finland. Suddenly, we hear the sound of an arrow release and bam! A reindeer falls to its death.

A ragged looking 16-year old girl, Hanna (Saoirse Ronan, “The Lovely Bones” 2009), tends to her deer. Hanna’s father, Erik, played by Eric Bana (“The Time Traveler’s Wife” 2009) is an ex-CIA operative, raising his daughter in the middle of a forest where she’s learned to fight for her life, literally. Living unlike any other teenager, Hanna hunts her own food, speaks several different languages, can recite the encyclopedia from front to back and properly defend herself even in the most extreme situations. We’re not sure why she’s being raised this way but we do know he’s trying to groom her for the future.

At this point, many may tilt their head sideways in question, “What on earth is going on?” Well, you might as well make your head comfortable in that position because this captivating, adrenaline-fuelled, action-thriller keeps us on the edge of our seat from start to finish.

Saoirse Ronan is undeniably fearless as “Hanna.” Her freakish nature, intelligence, vigor and yet soft-spoken demeanor simply carry the film. Her co-stars, Bana and Blanchet complete the trifecta cast. The strong script was evident as well.

Director of the “The Soloist” (2009) and “Pride and Prejudice” (2005), Joe Wright, once again proves his talent. This time, Wright takes on an action-thriller and with a bang. With a bio-engineered child assassin, dark fairy tale elements, intense visuals and a pulsating-paranoia soundtrack intertwined, this adrenaline pumping and somewhat trippy film is radically original.

Wright and Ronan clearly make magic when working together and this is not the first time. Ronan also worked with Wright during his direction of, “Atonement” (2007) in which she received an Oscar nod for her role. “Hanna” may also remind some of the 1998 foreign film, “Run Lola Run,” another film where the main character is on edge and in constant motion.

If I had one complaint regarding this film, it would be the 111-minute runtime. Either there were too many ‘fight’ scenes or I was just exhausted from the overall intensity of the film.

The Chemical Brothers produced the film’s score and deliver 20 tracks on the “Hanna” Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. The music is flawlessly matched to Hanna’s ever-changing circumstances and certainly gets your heart racing, almost as much as Hanna’s.

Understandably curious to what the real world holds, Hanna decides she is physically, mentally and emotionally ready to embark upon unfamiliar territory, while taking on anything in her path. She must face her family’s unfinished business in the real world. Her main roadblock (to put it lightly) is Marissa (Cate Blanchett, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” 2008), a mysterious and determined CIA agent who will stop at nothing until she has Hanna in her hands, alive.

Bottom Line? “Hanna” could be slightly disturbing to some. Be prepared for graphic scenes, intensity and violence - especially from a 16-year-old girl. If you can handle the previous description, you will not leave the theater disappointed. It is especially remarkable to see the way the beginning and end come full circle.

Jessica Aymond © April 8, 2011