Rating: 5/10
Marvel fans met the franchise’s newest superhuman protagonist in film form on Dec. 13 when J. C. Chandor’s “Kraven the Hunter” was released in cinemas. The film features Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Russell Crowe, Ariana DeBose and many more.
The film follows Sergei Kravinoff, or Kraven the Hunter, who goes on the hunt for corrupt mob leaders across the globe. His backstory covers him gaining superhuman abilities in a near-death experience while hunting in Ghana as a teenager. Kraven’s abilities mirror various animals’ abilities while awarding him a special bond with the natural world.
It is a great movie for anyone who wants to watch Taylor-Johnson run and climb on things, but those with higher entertainment standards may be disappointed.
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While the film delivers impressive visuals and did have certain intriguing plot points, its writing was severely lacking. Most of the script serves as a symptom of Marvel either taking itself too seriously or simply getting lazy.
The film’s strongest point is undoubtedly its creative cinematography, which includes countless artistic shots not typically associated with the superhero film style.
Breathtaking shots of the Scandinavian landscape and trippy slow-motion segments make the film visually stunning, and its skillful composition is truly a breath of fresh air.
Yet, as aesthetically satisfying as fight and chase sequences are, most leave audience members with questions like, “Is this guy bulletproof, or are the bad guys all just horrible shots?”
It is difficult to understate how much the movie’s poor writing interferes with its entertainment value. Forced dialogue, cheesy one-liners and predictable phrasing permeate the film from start to finish, making it nearly impossible for audience members to feel fully immersed.
To the film’s avail, a highlight is Alessandro Nivola’s performance as Rhino, our hero’s antagonist. His vocal intonation and the flare he brings to the role is almost enough to make movie-goers forget how mediocre the script is.
Unfortunately, a distinct lack of charisma plagues Rhino as a character in terms of writing. This makes it difficult to claim that he will be joining the Marvel Villain Hall of Fame, reaching Thanos, Red Skill or even Loki status. That being said, Nivola makes his character the most interesting to watch and makes the most of the role thrust upon him.
Marvel’s attempt to stay as true as possible to the comics, mentioning characters such as Dr. Miles Warren, is commendable to those who read “Kraven the Hunter” before watching him on the big screen. These references are rarely elaborated upon, leaving strict movie fans in the dark.
Dr. Warren is briefly credited with creating Rhino in the film. In the comics, however, his origin is never directly addressed, making this a thoughtful detail added to the film. At the same time, it doesn’t let movie fans in on the inside reference that Dr. Warren is also a Spiderman villain named the Jackal. Including this connection would have added a layer of depth that some might argue is necessary, given these films’ and franchises’ entanglement in a post-Endgame Marvel Cinematic Universe.
“Kraven the Hunter” could have benefited tremendously from paying more attention to detail and caring more about the script. With the film generating only $11 million on its opening weekend, many fans are leaving the cinema, feeling like their time and money have been wasted.
The motion picture received a rating of 5.5/10 on IMDb and a jarring 14% on Rotten Tomatoes. As film critics and fans attack “Kraven the Hunter” online, it is safe to say that despite this film’s ambition, the Hunter has become the hunted.
