'Monster Hunter' movie review: Capcom, why?

Director: Paul WS Anderson

Cast: Milla Jovovich, Ron Perlman, Tony Jaa

Score: 1

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 why would Capcom greenlight this?

To those not in the know, Paul WS Anderson's latest video game adaptation comes from the super-hit Monster Hunter series - but like his previous go with Resident Evil, it's closer to being a regular monster movie with Monster Hunter monsters in it. Oh, and his gung-ho military might nonsense is still kicking around.

Monster Hunter 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.

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.

Monster Hunter 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.

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.

I would recommend this film only to the hardest Monster Hunter fan, who lives to consume anything Monster Hunter-related. Everyone else, your weekend could be better served elsewhere - reserve this only as a last resort.