MOVIE REVIEW: MONSTER HUNTER

 

Behind our world, there is another -- a world of dangerous and powerful monsters that rule their domain with deadly ferocity. When Lt. Artemis and her loyal soldiers are transported from our world to the new one, the unflappable lieutenant receives the shock of her life. In a desperate battle for survival against enormous enemies with incredible powers and unstoppable, terrifying attacks, Artemis teams up with a mysterious hunter who has found a way to fight back.

Director: Paul W. S. Anderson

Cast: Milla Jovovich, Tony Jaa, Tip "T. I." Harris, Meagan Good, Diego Boneta, Josh Helman, Jin Au-Yeung, Ron Perlman

Release Date: December 18, 2020

Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy

Rated PG-13 for sequences of creature action and violence throughout

Runtime: 1 h 39 min

Review:

Paul W. S. Anderson and Milla Jovovich collaborations produce certain types of films, the entire Resident Evil franchise is a testament to that.  Monster Hunter could probably fit in that franchise if you just changed the name because it’s so sparse on plot and mythology that it feels intentionally unfinished.  Anderson delivers some big dumb CGI battles which are surprisingly fun but don’t expect any sort of explanation on what’s going or why.  In fact, there’s nary an attempt at explaining any sort of a plot until about halfway through the film when Ron Perlman, sporting a gloriously massive blonde wig, and a cat cook show up on the screen.  Even then it’s mostly throwaway lines about some sort of ancient race and a tower that looks like it was lifted from Mordor.  I’ve seen my share of terrible movies but I can’t say this is the worst thing I’ve ever sat through.  Jovovich and Jaa actually have some fun chemistry during the first half of the film which mixed with the big battles makes for utterly mindless cinema.  The supporting cast is dispensed with early on so there’s no reason to get attached since they are mostly fodder for the fire.  You almost marvel at how unapologetically brazen Monster Hunter is delivering loud dumb fun, it’ll never be considered a good film but the worst kind of fast food.    

C-