Kraven the Hunter

Last night, I watched “Kraven the Hunter,” which came out 13 days ago. Is this finally the movie the Sony Spider-Man Universe needs to break their bad films cycle or is it another one that deserves the thrashing it gets?

Sony has done everything possible to start their own version of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

While the “Venom” franchise has been somewhat successful, despite the three films just going downhill, other possible films like “Morbius” and “Madame Web” have failed to attract people to the franchise.

Now comes “Kraven the Hunter” in what might be the final film for Sony to prove it is capable of making a comic book film that doesn’t involve Spider-Man. “Kraven” is more similar to its predecessors – a failed attempt at a film that lacks a lot creativity. Micheal Compton said in his review, “It’s a bland, assembly line action film that really feels like it is coasting on autopilot.”

The protagonist is actually Sergei Kravinoff (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), the son of the evil mob boss Nikolai (Russell Crowe) who gets his powers when he is given a magical serum after being attacked by a lion. Sergei develops animal like instincts and the ability to move like an animal, making him stronger and faster than how he was before.

As Sergei/Kraven tries to get used to his new powers, he is followed by multiple criminals. There is a villain called the Rhino (Alessandro Nivola in one of the strangest performances in recent history), a hypnotic time changer called the Foreigner (Christopher Abott) and even to a point his father Nikolai.

With help from his brother Dimitri (Fred Hechinger) and Calypso (Ariana DeBose), a lawyer connected to Kraven’s past who becomes a helper.

Compton noted, ““Kraven” was directed by J.C. Chandor, whose previous work “All Is Lost,” “Margin Call” and “A Most Violent Year” — all three good films, but none of the material that would suggest that you knew your way behind the camera of a comic book action film.”

Taylor-Johnson brings a little more to the protagonist than the six pack, a boring anti-hero that won’t exactly leave audiences wanting for more films.

Rhino is not really an interesting villain, while the Foreigner is wasted with very little screen time. Compton said, “The villains may be a little undercooked, but it is still more than DeBose is given — a thankless role that has very little to offer.”

Basically, the only thing that does work is Crowe, who pretty much eats the scenery with his over-the-top Russian criminal. Crowe feels like he is in another movie – getting everything he can in his small screen time.

Crowe proves to be the highlight in a film with very little pros to offer. You’d think a franchise would want to be with this much on them they would have to put every bit of creativity possible in the final version, but that is not the case with “Kraven.”

This is a boring film that looks like it will not be in theaters after the holidays and may be the end of Sony making another comic book film that isn’t around the Spider-Man universe.

I felt like nothing happened in this film. Which for a comic book movie is the worst crime to happen since they have been around so much and have a huge fanbase. There’s very little action, and the amount that is in here is good when it doesn’t like CG’ed, there’s so much dialogue which gets boring and tiring fast, and it feels like the main motive in here is being raised in a bad family. This might be the worst film I saw this year and I would highly recommend everyone to not see this film in theaters. Don’t waste your money on this and go see something that will be worth the movie, like the new Sonic.

Thank you for joining in on this review everyone. Stay tuned tomorrow for the continuation of “Disney Month 2024.”