Kraven the Hunter review: Better than Morbius and Madame Web at least

2.0 out of 5 star rating

As a longtime fan who has witnessed the evolution of Spider-Man’s foes since their comic book debuts, I must admit that Kraven the Hunter left me feeling rather… underwhelmed. Having grown up with Sergei Kravinoff’s original portrayal as a formidable, potion-powered big-game hunter, this globe-trotting origin tale fell short of my expectations.

For the first time on screen, a character who debuted as Spider-Man’s comic book nemesis in 1964 is making an appearance in live action. This marks the sixth film in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe series, succeeding Morbius (2022), Madame Web (2024), and the recently concluded Venom trilogy (2018-2024).

Originally in Marvel Comics, Sergei Kravinoff is a powerful big-game hunter with magical potions, known for his black mustache and beard. He’s relentless in his pursuit of making Spider-Man, played by Peter Parker, the ultimate trophy to hang on his wall.

In a departure from his usual dramatic works, director JC Chandor presents an origin story set in various parts of the world. This film, powerfully portrayed by Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Kraven, starts with him showing no mercy in a secluded Russian prison. However, it later flashes back to Sergei’s turbulent teenage years, where he is the eldest son of the formidable Russian mob boss Nikolai Kravinoff, played by Russell Crowe with a convincing accent and an undercurrent of threat.

However, if an African lion’s attack on Sergei turns disastrous, leaving him in a Revenant-like state of distress, it is a potent herbal concoction administered swiftly that miraculously revives him. This elixir imbues him with extraordinary strength, speed, dexterity, and heightened senses, transforming him into The Hunter.

16 years have passed, bringing us to the present day. Kraven has risen to legendary infamy as a menacing figure in the criminal underworld, operating from a clandestine base deep within Siberia – perhaps we could call it the Dacha-cave? – and finding himself distant from his harsh father and cherished yet naive half-brother, Dimitri, who was once featured in Gladiator II as Fred Hechinger.

But, following his alliance with a potion supplier turned tenacious lawyer, Calypso (Ariana DeBose), the predator finds himself hunted by Alessandro Nivola’s rising crime boss. This crime boss has his own formidable chemical enhancement to counterbalance the supernatural abilities, and an unusually deadly assassin known as The Foreigner (Christopher Abbott) is also on the scene.

Taylor-Johnson skillfully captures the confidence and physical charm that made his portrayal of Quicksilver in Avengers: Age of Ultron stand out. However, the script seems to fall short on wit and humor, and the action doesn’t truly shine until halfway through the film, during Kraven’s chase of villains across London streets and waterways, which resembles a Mission: Impossible-style sprint. This high-octane sequence is followed by an exciting helicopter tug of war. It’s important to note that due to its 15-certificate rating, the fight scenes include a more intense and graphic depiction of violence, particularly during the final confrontation at Kraven’s forest hideout.

It’s possible that the film’s delay for over a year and persistent rumors of reshoots might account for why this latest Sony superhero spin-off has fallen short of expectations, although Kraven offers more potential than Morbius and Madame Web. One reason is the compelling portrayal of the antihero by Taylor-Johnson. His intense and brooding performance definitely warrants a repeat, and if nothing else, it showcases that the 34-year-old British actor has the action skills needed for a potential new James Bond role.

In Sony’s Spider-Man universe, just like other films in the series, there’s a noticeable absence of Spiderman himself. This is because the character is currently tied up in Disney’s Marvel Cinematic Universe, with Tom Holland set to reprise his role in Spider-Man 4, scheduled for release in 2025. Regarding the spin-off Spiderverse, there seems to be a lack of clarity about its future, as suggested by the absence of any hints about what might happen next in the post-credits scene.

2024-12-12 15:43

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