<p>Director: Paul WS Anderson</p>.<p>Cast: Milla Jovovich, Ron Perlman, Tony Jaa</p>.<p>Score: 1</p>.<p>As I step out of watching Monster Hunter, complete with a mid-credits scene, I am left with two questions: How does an adaptation this bad manage to be also a pretty decent monster fest, and <em>why</em> would Capcom greenlight this?</p>.<p>To those not in the know, Paul WS Anderson's latest video game adaptation comes from the super-hit <em>Monster Hunter</em> series - but like his previous go with <em>Resident Evil</em>, it's closer to being a regular monster movie with <em>Monster Hunter</em> monsters in it. Oh, and his gung-ho military might nonsense is still kicking around.</p>.<p><em>Monster Hunter</em> games aren't exactly revered for the plot, but for the gameplay and the thrill of...well, hunting monsters and exploration. Curiously, this movie manages to grab this little bit somewhat okay-like, because the monster fights are, if nothing else, gorgeous to behold - except in the point of view of watching a train wreck. There is a bit of thrill as the main characters, Artemis (Milla Jovovich) and Hunter (Tony Jaa, trying to do his best to look like he cares) use tactics to tackle a Diablos, but by the end, it becomes a silly little game of attrition.</p>.<p>For those of you who care, the plot is: A military group searching for another military group ends up in "The New World", where monsters rule and everything small is either food or a potential living nest. Artemis' group is spirited away to this world in a storm, and after monsters make quick work of everyone but her, she meets Hunter and the duo try to do their best to survive.</p>.<p><em>Monster Hunter</em> wastes too much of its 100-odd minute running time either doing nothing but panning out and expositing via completely unnecessary interpersonal fights, or becomes something like a (hopefully unintentional) repeat of a civilized Westerner trying to placate the savage local, by offering them chocolate. Frankly, it feels rather insulting to have two characters go from enemies to allies over a Hershey's, but whatever - it's not like the movie cares.</p>.<p>The silver lining is that the monster designs are absolutely spot-on. From the Diablos to the Rathalos and everything in between, the monsters are very well-realised on the big screen. That alone deserves credit, that and the cat-like Palicoes.</p>.<p>I would recommend this film only to the hardest <em>Monster Hunter</em> fan, who lives to consume anything <em>Monster Hunter</em>-related. Everyone else, your weekend could be better served elsewhere - reserve this only as a last resort.</p>
<p>Director: Paul WS Anderson</p>.<p>Cast: Milla Jovovich, Ron Perlman, Tony Jaa</p>.<p>Score: 1</p>.<p>As I step out of watching Monster Hunter, complete with a mid-credits scene, I am left with two questions: How does an adaptation this bad manage to be also a pretty decent monster fest, and <em>why</em> would Capcom greenlight this?</p>.<p>To those not in the know, Paul WS Anderson's latest video game adaptation comes from the super-hit <em>Monster Hunter</em> series - but like his previous go with <em>Resident Evil</em>, it's closer to being a regular monster movie with <em>Monster Hunter</em> monsters in it. Oh, and his gung-ho military might nonsense is still kicking around.</p>.<p><em>Monster Hunter</em> games aren't exactly revered for the plot, but for the gameplay and the thrill of...well, hunting monsters and exploration. Curiously, this movie manages to grab this little bit somewhat okay-like, because the monster fights are, if nothing else, gorgeous to behold - except in the point of view of watching a train wreck. There is a bit of thrill as the main characters, Artemis (Milla Jovovich) and Hunter (Tony Jaa, trying to do his best to look like he cares) use tactics to tackle a Diablos, but by the end, it becomes a silly little game of attrition.</p>.<p>For those of you who care, the plot is: A military group searching for another military group ends up in "The New World", where monsters rule and everything small is either food or a potential living nest. Artemis' group is spirited away to this world in a storm, and after monsters make quick work of everyone but her, she meets Hunter and the duo try to do their best to survive.</p>.<p><em>Monster Hunter</em> wastes too much of its 100-odd minute running time either doing nothing but panning out and expositing via completely unnecessary interpersonal fights, or becomes something like a (hopefully unintentional) repeat of a civilized Westerner trying to placate the savage local, by offering them chocolate. Frankly, it feels rather insulting to have two characters go from enemies to allies over a Hershey's, but whatever - it's not like the movie cares.</p>.<p>The silver lining is that the monster designs are absolutely spot-on. From the Diablos to the Rathalos and everything in between, the monsters are very well-realised on the big screen. That alone deserves credit, that and the cat-like Palicoes.</p>.<p>I would recommend this film only to the hardest <em>Monster Hunter</em> fan, who lives to consume anything <em>Monster Hunter</em>-related. Everyone else, your weekend could be better served elsewhere - reserve this only as a last resort.</p>
