Hanna on Amazon Prime - a series based on a movie - has been described as a combination of high-tech thriller and coming of age story. It is all that, and excellently executed. But it's also science fiction, and, in one way of looking at it, related to Westworld.
Hanna is the result of some kind of CIA program of investing human female babies with something akin to at least low-level superpowers, by which I mean, slightly but significantly better than the best that we normal people can do. Hanna is a brilliant fighter - able to take out out more than a handful of military with her acrobatic skills and hand-to-hand combat dexterity. She also has almost a sixth sense of being attuned to trouble and crucial people in her life. Clara has super keen hearing and is also a master fighter.
The most significant person in Hanna's life is Erik, who raised her in a forest and whom she considers her father. Eric was working for the CIA some 16 years ago, recruited a pregnant woman for this CIA program, and fell in love her. He rescued her baby Hanna from the CIA facility and ... I don't want to tell you any more of the story.
So let's turn to the acting. Esme Creed-Miles is great as Hanna. And seeing Joel Kinnaman (as Erik) and Mireille Enos (as his boss Marissa) back on the screen after their dual starring in The Killing a few years ago was outstanding. Here they play very different roles, mostly antagonists but maybe veering towards being on the same side. They two put in two superb performances, down to facial expressions and tones of voice.
A sign of a well-made movie or television series is how well the more minor characters are portrayed. Hanna is grade-A on this account, with memorable portrayals of Erik's associates and a family from England whose daughter Sophie becomes friends with Hanna. That's where the coming of age part comes into play, and it's done just right.
High-tech thrillers are almost a dime a dozen these days on streaming services. If you're in the mood for one, put Hanna at the top of your list.
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