As a longtime comic book enthusiast and action movie aficionado, I must say that the latest offering from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, “Kraven the Hunter,” left me feeling more like I had just watched an appetizer than a full-course meal. Having grown up reading Kraven’s stories in the pages of Spider-Man comics, I was hoping for something that would capture the raw intensity and complexity of the character.
Warning: This review contains spoilers for Kraven the Hunter.
On a momentous September day in 2001, Kraven the Hunter (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) is peacefully asleep in his room. Suddenly, his younger brother Dmitri Smerdyakov (Fred Hechinger) barges in and delivers shocking news: “SERGEI! SERGEI! TURN ON THE TV! THEY’VE STRUCK THE PENTAGON!” As he contemplates the fragility of life, Sergei reconsiders his future aspirations. Abandoning his initial accounting goals, he instead chases his dreams of becoming an exotic dancer. Not long after, Sergei gains fame in New York City as one of its most renowned strippers, thanks to incorporating animal-themed costumes into his performances.
The nickname “Kraven the Hunter” is given to him because he’s constantly seeking out the most attractive individuals for romantic pursuits. Later, Kraven elevates his insecurities about mortality by meting out death to the most sinister entities.
The character of Kraven the Hunter, as portrayed in the movie, seems to be a symbol for the idea that Americans often resort to violence when dealing with trauma. However, this theme is not present in J.C. Chandor’s latest film. I apologize for venturing into fan fiction territory. Despite its title, the actual plot of Kraven the Hunter lacks depth. It was hard not to imagine a more engaging version of the movie. Unfortunately, the latest Sony Spider-Man Universe title is filled with excessive explanation and setup, leaving little room for an enjoyable main course. It’s like being served a table full of ingredients instead of a well-cooked meal.
In the opening scene, Sergei carries out a brutal act of retribution set against the backdrop of Russia, followed by the start of Kraven the Hunter. The narrative unfolds through a flashback to Sergei and Dmitri’s adolescent years, both sons of notorious Russian gangster Nikolai Kravinoff, portrayed by Russell Crowe. Growing up, they were consistently reminded that men must never reveal their vulnerability; Nikolai would always remind them, “We are hunters,” and showing weakness could make them the hunted.
In an initial scene, teenage character Calypso Ezili uncovers her enchanting lineage, including the potency of tarot cards, passed down by her grandmother. This data is blandly imparted without much explanation as to why the camera switches between close-up and broader perspectives. Likewise, repetitive dialogue prevails when Nikolai and his companions reach Northern Ghana. However, the dialogues cease momentarily when Sergei encounters a lion attack. Remarkably, this should’ve been fatal… yet Calypso administers a magical elixir from her grandmother to endow Kraven with extraordinary abilities.
Indeed, this film is the second Sony production featuring Spider-Man’s Universe in 2024, and it’s unique because it focuses on a main character who acquires magical powers from sources outside of predominantly white societies, unlike previous origins. However, contrary to some stories, the character’s mother won’t be lost while studying spiders in the Amazon region.
Ultimately, the main storyline of “Kraven the Hunter” unfolds with beefcake Johnson, later known as Kraven, departing from home, perfecting his hunting abilities, and embarking on a lifelong quest to capture individuals as wicked as his father. He acquires a fearsome reputation as “The Hunter,” attracting the attention of Aleksei Sytsevich/The Rhino (played by Alessandro Nivola), a ruthless mob boss seeking to eliminate someone who is killing his associates. In Kraven’s relentless pursuit of the criminal underworld, the filmmakers occasionally draw inspiration from iconic ’80s vigilante films, as evidenced in an opening scene where Kraven delivers a witty quip following the elimination of Russian prisoners beside gym equipment.
As a fan, I must admit that casting Cameron Mitchell-like character as the ruthless hunter Kraven in a gritty, action-packed B-movie isn’t such a bad thought. However, “Kraven the Hunter” seems to veer away from those initial impulses. For instance, the action sequences are surprisingly sparse in this film. Instead of capturing intense fight scenes, Chandor’s camera seems more focused on Kraven narrating plot points to an adult Calypso (Ariana DaBose), information that viewers have already been exposed to. When fights do occur on-screen, they’re marred by awkward editing and noticeable CGI stunt doubles. It feels like the original intention was to create a Kraven movie akin to “The Raid.” Unfortunately, in its current form, it falls short compared to the fight choreography seen in “Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In” from 2024.
As a gamer, it’s disheartening how Kraven seems to shy away from getting its hands dirty in the game. Despite a few intense battles and strong language, it feels like we’ve been here before. There’s little room for moral complexity or thought-provoking ideas within this gameplay experience. The story particularly falters when trying to convey anything meaningful about masculinity. In contrast, Chandor’s Triple Frontier once tried to portray the futility of violent retaliation. Instead, Kraven the Hunter seems to criticize excessive violence through Nikolai’s character, only to then encourage the player to engage in such brutality themselves. The game appears to struggle with deciding whether to challenge or embrace traditional notions of masculinity, leaving it without a distinct identity.
In a more engaging rephrase, the statement suggests that the movie “Kraven the Hunter” lacks excitement due to the monotonous visual settings and bland music. The interior sets are described as dull environments such as dimly-lit hallways, a “science room” filled with fans, and Nikolai’s dismal office. The accompanying score by Benjamin Wallfisch, along with Evgueni Galperine and Sacha Galperine, fails to capture the energy needed for an anti-hero who performs violent acts like biting off people’s noses. Instead, it seems as though Wallfisch chose to use music cues similar to Hans Zimmer’s style from previous blockbuster films like “The Flash,” “Shazam!,” or “Mortal Kombat.” This unremarkable score represents the general feeling that everyone involved in the production of “Kraven the Hunter” is going through the motions.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson once again fails to impress as a leading man, with his Kraven character’s intense scenes coming off as comical rather than menacing. For instance, when he brutally throws a man to the ground and shouts about a loved one’s whereabouts, it feels more like a joke than a serious moment. Taylor-Johnson seems devoid of emotion in his performance, even during violent acts there’s no sense of power or authority. Unfortunately, most other cast members deliver similarly lackluster performances, with Ariana DeBose being an exception. Alessandro Nivola, however, stands out in his villain role, bringing humor and affection to Sytsevich. His performance is more nuanced than any character in Morbius or Madame Web. Notably, Nivola’s work here might encourage viewers to appreciate his excellent performance in The Art of Self-Defense, a film that was unfortunately overlooked.
Despite the intentions of those involved in its creation, “Kraven the Hunter” seems like it was mass-produced without much originality. To put it bluntly, it follows typical patterns of modern comic book adaptations, such as Kraven battling a large CGI villain at the end and only donning his iconic costume just before the credits roll. This predictable move is reminiscent of films like “Snake Eyes,” “Madame Web,” or Marvel’s Netflix shows, leaving audiences feeling unsatisfied rather than eager for more, not like indulging in a delicious bowl of chips and queso.
Instead of sticking with the current Kraven the Hunter storyline, maybe it would have been more beneficial for them to consider my suggested plot based on a OneyPlays reference. Without a doubt, it couldn’t possibly be as disappointing as the recent Kraven the Hunter movie that has quietly entered cinemas.
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2024-12-11 23:15