Blackhat (2015)

After venturing into the gangster world of Public Enemies, director Michael Mann returns to the once flashy, sober and stylized visual he created for Miami Vice, which was in 2006 considered by some one of the best movies of the year. Unfortunately, that was also a movie who failed to reach a larger audience, just like an exquisite dish fails to reach the people who like their tastes simple. Blackhat follows that formula. The formula of an apparent take on the action/thriller genre, stylized just enough to change its pillars and create a different, almost unique thrill experience. Blackhat is about the incorporation of old symbols of the action/thriller genre (Chris Hemsworth is actually a good looking muscled likeable guy, like the 80's and 90's movies stated for the genre) into a modern world (and also a hacker in jail) of computers, hacking and other ways of endangerment, that are known to exist by all of us, but which only some get to actually understand. Michael Mann is not trying to teach us anything actually, but this is probably one of the most dedicated and exact movies to approach such a recurring theme. More than that, Blackhat is a movie that breathes movement, that requires attention, that will grab you in the gripping later half and only let you go when its finished. It is straight to the point and real, despite the classic elements such as a love interest, but Mann won't decorate anything with flowers. That is the classic action magic Michael Mann so well manages to recreate in his own style of filmmaking. The cinematography is contemplative and the camera movement an well balanced delight between shaky camera and other more traditional plans, always rushing the pace against time, even if the threat belongs to the digital world. Blackhat minimalistic style is not to be confused with blandness. The elements need to be individually appreciated, then felt as a whole. This is one of the best movies of the genre in the last years, not meant for everyone, but for those who like the style of Miami Vice, Haywire or even the recent John Wick (even if Blackhat hasn't the "funny black humour" tone of the last) this is a must see. Even if just for the unique fighting action scenes, this IS a must see.

Trailer follows: