Exclusive 'Hardcore Henry' Clip: The Rules of This Gonzo Video Game
(Warning, there’s some mild NSFW language in the clip.)
Hardcore Henry blasts its way into theaters on April 8, delivering an assault of ultra-violent craziness in the style of a video game — specifically, a first-person shooter, with its POV from the hero’s eyes. Rarely has a film so brazenly attempted to emulate its interactive counterparts, and though its approach can be dizzying (those prone to motion sickness should beware), its non-stop fights, shootouts and chases are delirious to satisfy genre fans.
Above is an exclusive clip from first-time director Ilya Naishuller’s gonzo film. In it, hero Henry — a voiceless man resurrected as a Robocop-ish cyborg superman — has his first encounter with a shadowy figure known as Jimmy, played by District 9 and Elysium star Sharlto Copley. Jimmy functions as Henry’s recurring guide throughout his odyssey to save his wife (Haley Bennett) from the clutches of the villain who created him (Danila Kozlovsky). Their initial meeting is a suitable introduction to not only the film’s unique visual perspective, but also — via the sight of Henry plugging a health-meter into his chest — to the ways this extreme action saga is indebted to its video game roots.
