H4Z4RD is another example of how European genre films are some of the most creative and just outright strange today. This Belgium release follows Noah Hazard (Dimitri “Vegas” Thivaios, Jurassic World Dominion). His brother Carlos has recently been released from prison and has scored a job that promises lots of money. What seemed like a simple plan soon becomes an encounter with heavily armed hoodlums, an escaped wolf, and a security guard who really loves cars. Even worse, Noah’s daughter is in danger.
The pacing is a mix of fast paced music video-esque sequences mixed with more toned down moments that introduce characters and further the story. It is a neat touch, as initially it seems like H4Z4RD is going to be moving at high speeds for its entire runtime. This is also tricky to pull off as it can break the film’s natural flow. Instead, director Jonas Govaerts has found the right combination as the higher speed parts serve as segues as the day progresses. It also conveys the distance being traveled and adds to the tension and excitement.
Dries Delputte is the cinematographer tasked with making sure everything looks good. The shots inside Noah’s prized Lexus will stand out most. The audience is often placed in the gold car as a passenger in the backseat. This leads to some of the most interesting moments of the movie and gives the feel of being on an amusement park ride. Not content to leave people watching from the backseat, H4Z4RD also has shots from different parts of the car, including the exhaust pipe and headlights.
As energetic as things can get, the biggest takeaway is the lengths the story will go to garner a laugh. H4Z4RD is filled with hilarious moments that run the gamut from Carlos dropping profanity laced bars to a joke about a hook that comes out of nowhere. The comedy fits in perfectly with the rest of the story, as it as wild as the action. The willingness to push boundaries and have ridiculous fun make this an exciting watch.
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