Hardcore Henry Review – AVClub

AVClub: Shot with head-mounted GoPro cameras, the Russian-made action flick Hardcore Henry mimics the experience of watching someone else play a very derivative first-person shooter with sub-Duke Nukem humor. But despite the undeniable “How’d they do that?” factor of the stunt- and pyrotechnics-heavy mayhem, the movie’s slavish reproduction of game design tropes (mute protagonist, last-minute waypoint changes, exposition that only comes when the hero is pinned down or paralyzed, etc.) eventually grows tiresome. Made without a hint of commentary or subversion, Hardcore Henry is a feature-length novelty viral video—literally, given that it was developed from a couple of DIY music videos directed by first-timer Ilya Naishuller.