As a lifelong fan of Spider-Man and all things Marvel, I must say that my expectations for Kraven the Hunter were not exactly sky-high after the less-than-stellar outings we’ve seen from Sony’s Spider-Man Universe. But let me tell you, this movie is a rollercoaster ride, my friends!
The iconic film series that many hold dear carries on (and may conclude) with the addition of Kraven the Hunter. Following Madame Web and Venom: The Final Battle, Sony’s Spider-Man Universe offers its third installment this year. This is a Marvel superhero movie, but it hasn’t quite sparked the same enthusiasm as the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe. With movies like Morbius being released, there can be a loss of audience goodwill.
In this rendition, Aaron Taylor-Johnson portrays Sergei Kravinoff, a formidable hunter navigating a realm of superhumans and villains. Despite some flaws, Kraven the Hunter isn’t a total catastrophe – we’ve witnessed far worse from this franchise. However, it barely clears the minimal expectations set. Nonetheless, the movie offers occasional thrills and enjoyment. The opening scene effectively establishes Kraven’s prowess, showcasing his superhuman strength, agility to climb walls swiftly, and stealthy movements akin to a stalking predator. This production takes a daring route by opting for an R rating, which some viewers might appreciate after the PG-13 classification of Tom Hardy’s Venom films. Kraven is one of the rare superhero movies that doesn’t shy away from violence.
In essence, this film is packed with intense violence and it thrives particularly during these violent scenes. Watching our main character mercilessly eliminate villains in a thrilling manner provides great entertainment. Generally speaking, Director J. C. Chandor competently manages the action sequences, offering clear views most of the time. He also innovatively positions the camera, such as placing it within a flipping car during a stunt, giving us a firsthand experience of the chaos. Similarly, he attaches the camera to a dying villain, immersing viewers in the unfolding events. Such instances make spectators feel like active participants in the action.
To clarify, the action in this movie is quite outlandish. This isn’t a realistic film by any means, but that’s not necessarily a negative aspect. In fact, it’s entertaining to watch as Kraven defies the laws of physics with his extraordinary abilities.
As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but empathize with Kraven’s struggle throughout this narrative. The emotional tapestry is intricately woven around his complex relationships – particularly with his younger brother Dmitri (played by Fred Hechinger) and their formidable father Nikolai (portrayed by Russell Crowe). While there are instances of heartfelt interactions that resonate, they don’t quite manage to sustain the emotional depth required for a captivating film experience across its entirety.
In another development, we introduce Calypso Ezili, played by Academy Award-winning actress Ariana DeBose. Unfortunately, her acting prowess seems underutilized in Wish, Argylle, and Kraven the Hunter as these roles don’t seem to be making the best use of her abilities. Initially planned to have a romantic connection with Kraven, their chemistry is lacking. Regrettably, Calypso is one of the film’s least engaging characters, serving primarily as a plot device rather than a fully-realized person. Some dialogue in the script is so poor that even DeBose and the rest of the talented cast struggle to deliver it convincingly.
This year, Hechinger has been seen in various films including Thelma, Nickel Boys, and Gladiator II. His acting here is decent, but his previous work is more impressive. He skillfully imitates characters, and while a scene intended to showcase his talent turned out surprisingly humorous, it’s unclear if that was his intention. On the other hand, Taylor-Johnson has consistently delivered strong performances, playing both good characters in Kick-Ass, Godzilla, and Tenet, as well as villains in Nocturnal Animals and The Fall Guy. He convincingly portrays anything he’s given and commits fully to being a menacing antagonist in this role, which generally succeeds. Lastly, Crowe isn’t always in quality films, but he is excellent in every film he’s in. He naturally excels on camera.
As a passionate fan, I must admit that one area where “Kraven the Hunter” seems to falter is in its villains. Don’t get me wrong, Alessandro Nivola delivers an impressive portrayal of the Rhino, but his performance often feels disconnected from the rest of the movie. He indeed makes a formidable adversary, yet his backstory feels overly formulaic.
Similar to Madame Web, Kraven the Hunter’s dialogue replacements (ADR) are quite dreadful at times, with a sprinkle of moments that brought about laughter. The speed of the storytelling in the first and second acts can be slow-moving occasionally. However, the film becomes enjoyable when the action sequences commence, as the dialogue scenes tend to drag. Unfortunately, the movie fails to convey the pressing urgency or the tension associated with the underlying crime, resulting in a few surprisingly uneventful moments. It’s somewhat amusing to witness Aaron Taylor-Johnson battle giant computer-generated animals, yet there are entertaining aspects despite the disjointed writing.
In general, Kraven the Hunter thrives when it delves into hard-hitting R-rated action, but struggles significantly with other aspects of its storyline.
SCORE: 5/10
According to the review guidelines at ComingSoon, a rating of 5 signifies “Average” or “Mediocre.” In this case, the film’s positive aspects are balanced by its flaws, resulting in an overall neutral evaluation.
Disclosure: ComingSoon attended a press screening for our Kraven the Hunter review.
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2024-12-11 23:10