Hanna is a fast paced, high action thriller with a remarkable young girl Hanna, at the heart of the story whose strength and courage will leave you breathless. Saoirse Ronan’s long, straw colored hair, lithe figure, fair skin, blue eyes and quick wit makes her a totally believable super hero.  She bursts onto the screen as a huntress in a savage, formidable winter wilderness. She lives in a cottage in the remote depths of a great forest with her father Erik (Eric Bana) who is training her to use her unique strength and skills to become a warrior.

Hanna’s past is complicated and both her father Erik, her dead mother and shortly a high level of international operatives will all factor in the chases, combats, escapes and near death experiences that will befall the young super hero. Cate Blanchett is the ruthless and relentless operative who is determined to track Hanna down and eliminate her. Hanna knows only vague information about her past, which she must piece together to save herself. Her journey takes her from the forests of Finland across Europe on a madcap adventure, which ends in some very unusual places in Berlin. Along the way she becomes friends with some interesting travelers who help save her life.

Award winning director, Joe Wright (Atonement, Pride & Prejudice, The Soloist) brings his unique brand of direction to this unusual story. The story is pure entertainment with the core having a shocking and somewhat true basis in real history. The settings are well chosen and play key parts in the story development. Ultimately Hanna is a very sinister fairy tale, which Wright makes direct reference to early in the movie. Fine acting, great settings, skillful cinematography and good editing, is set off by a fantastic original musical score by the Chemical Brothers. Don’t miss it.

Moira Romano