It’s hard to remember it but once upon a time comic book movies were notoriously terrible films. I think the history books might even actually state that the studio which released, or funded, Superman IV: A Quest for Peace went bankrupt shortly after its release. Not to mention we had 1990’s Captain America and 1998’s Batman and Robin among others. Sure, there were a few diamonds among the rough in Batman ‘89 and Blade. It wasn’t until 2000’s X-Men that the dreaded comic book movie curse had been lifted. Even following that big screen debut of Marvel’s favorite mutants we still had some duds sink through. Here’s looking to you Jonah Hex, Superman Returns and X-Men: The Last Stand among others. Forces like Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Trilogy and the MCU changed things for the better.
In some fashion, it feels like the medium of video games has been anxiously awaiting its own silver screen glory. It seems like filmmakers have been attempting for the better part of three decades to make a fantastic adaptation of these iconic characters. Over the years, we’ve seen attempts from several different companies. Some of them are good but most of them are bad. My favorite Lara Croft: Tomb Raider would fall to the former but it’s often a forgotten adaptation among the video game movies. Resident Evil has certainly carved out its own fan base with its impressive six films, while the last two years have given us Detective Pikachu and Sonic the Hedgehog .
Then you have a filmmaker like Paul W.S. Anderson who has basically built a career upon this genre. Anderson is the visionary director behind 1995’s Mortal Kombat and all six Resident Evil films. This time he is taking on the game series which found its start in PlayStation 2 in 2002, Monster Hunter. This adaptation depicts a group of soliders transported into an alien world attempting to get back home while fighting monsters. Anderson wrote and directed this adaptation. You’d think with his experience in the world of gaming he’d have more to offer. Alas Monster is a boring, dull force venture into sheer boredom.
The way in which they frame the story they make the attempt to tell a fish out of water story. In no way, shape or form does it work for the story. Minor spoiler but Milla Jovovich is the only one in her company to survive. To navigate throughout the world she teams up with Tony Jaa. This is where the movie really begins to lose me completely. Nearly all their dialogue, in their first few moments, feels like a joke is trying to be made. However because the language barrier it takes the two a bit of time to find the same page. It almost feels like Anderson attempts to spin this as comedy but it fails on every cylinder. It just comes across as wooden and awkward. From their initial meeting Monster feels like it’s attempting to make a buddy film. This, too, doesn’t work. Jovovich and Jaa lack the chemistry to carry this movie. Perhaps, the most insulting thing about this movie is how they almost seem to belittle Jaa as a cultural stereotype once we get more screentime with his character.
For as thrilling as monster hunting sounds this movie is dull in almost every way imaginable. Anderson fails to create compelling characters to make me truly feel invested. Jovovich comes to this strange place and is attempting to get out. There is no depth for either character, no development for anyone and at the end of the day just a lackluster movie is what we’re left with. Monster Hunter does find a few redeeming qualities in the technical aspects. The monster design looks spectacular. All the details that the visual effects crew put into the details show. I will also have to give it to Paul Haslinger, the man behind the film’s score. While, yes, a large portion of the on screen action is mindless and uneventful the score gives the film some weight. Balancing itself between the typical sounds of Blockbuster scores with the near 8-bit sounds of classic video games. Haslinger manages to find a way to stand out amongst the larger than life vision of Anderson.
Overall, Monster Hunter hunts boredom more than anything else. The biggest monsters in the movie aren’t what we see our protagonists fighting but rather a lack of character development, investment or chemistry. The film’s technical aspects are the real stars of the movie. Coming through for designs of our antagonists in the monsters, as well as the score from Paul Haslinger. Unfortunately, the curse continues with Monster Hunter, serving another dull entry into the video game movie genre.
RORSCHACH RATING:
MENTAL HEALTH MOMENT: Finding herself in a strange, new land Milla Jovovich’s character searches for help. Sometimes navigating something like depression or suicidal thoughts, can feel like that strange new world. Unable to quite place words to the feels that you’re currently feeling. The very few times that I’ve experienced depression in my life I didn’t quite know what to call it. No one had ever talked to me abot recongizing the signs of depression or worse the signs of suicide. These are vital thiings to know. If you would like to learn more about the warning sides of depression, click here & if you would like to know the warning sides of suicide, click here.
If you or someone you know is reading this right now and struggling with suicide, depression, addiction, or self-harm - please reach out. Comment, message, or tweet at us. Go to victimsandvillains.net/hope for more resources. Call the suicide lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Text "HELP" to 741-741. There is hope & you DO have so much value and worth!
Victims and Villains is written (and produced) by Josh "Captain Nostalgia" Burkey and others, and edited by Cam Smith. Music by Mallory Johnson and others. Monster Hunter is property of Screen Gems. We do not own nor claim any rights. Monster Hunter is now playing in theaters.
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