By Jared Curtis jared@dmcityview.com

‘Hanna'

Directed by Joe Wright

Rated PG-13, 111 minutes

A unique and stylized revenge fairytale, "Hanna" flows along at a chaotic and energetic pace. The story follows Hanna (Saoirse Ronan), a 16-year-old girl who has been raised by her father, Erik (Eric Bana), to be the perfect assassin. On her birthday, Erik gives Hanna a button to push, which alerts CIA agent, Marissa (Cate Blanchett), of their location. Erik leaves and agents soon storm the secluded house, taking Hanna prisoner. But the men underestimate the little girl and she escapes, ultimately taking shelter with a family traveling the countryside. During the trip, Hanna bonds with a girl her age and discovers that life is not just about training. But her joy is short-lived as she must complete her mission and regroup with her father before it's too late. Part "The Bourne Identity" and part "Run Lola Run," "Hanna" should make a number of critics' top 10 lists at the end of the year. CV

‘La Femme Nikita'

Directed by Luc Besson

1990, Rated R, 118 minutes

The original "La Femme Nikita" is an action-packed thrill ride mostly unseen by American audiences. The film introduced U.S. movie goers to the frantic style of director Luc Besson ("Leon: The Professional," "The Fifth Element") and caused a ripple through film and TV with the 1993 film, "Point of No Return," a remake starring Bridget Fonda, and two TV shows, "La Femme Nikita" and "Nikita." But none of the U.S. versions is as good as the original French film. The story follows Nikita (Anne Parillaud), a teenage junkie who kills a cop after a pharmacy robbery goes wrong. Sentenced to death, Nikita wakes up in an unfamiliar room. There she meets Bob (Tcheky Karyo), who gives her two choices — become an assassin for a special government agency or die. "La Femme Nikita" is full of stylized action sequences — including one in a crowded restaurant — and proved to audiences that girls can kick ass, too. CV