Kraven's complex relationship with his ruthless father, Nikolai Kravinoff, starts him down a path of vengeance with brutal consequences, motivating him to become not only the greatest hunter in the world, but also one of its most feared.
Ladies and gentlemen, grab your safari hats and prepare for a trek through the cinematic jungle as we dive into "Kraven the Hunter," a film so primal it makes Tarzan look like he’s on a vegan cleanse. Starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s abs (oh, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson himself), Ariana DeBose, Fred Hechinger, and the gravel-voiced Russell Crowe, this is Marvel's first R-rated Sony entry—because nothing says "mature content" like a guy in leopard print growling about his daddy issues.
The Plot: Family Drama Meets National Geographic
The movie kicks off with a peek into Kraven's (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) complex relationship with his father, Nikolai Kravinoff (Russell Crowe). And by "complex," I mean it’s like "The Lion King" if Mufasa was a sociopath who traded Simba’s Hakuna Matata for “Here’s a knife, go make me proud.” Nikolai’s ruthlessness sends Kraven spiraling down a path of vengeance, self-discovery, and a very questionable wardrobe. He eventually earns the title of "the world’s greatest hunter," but not without some brutal consequences—and I’m not just talking about the runtime.
What I Liked: The Good, The Bad, and the Well… Okay-ish
First, let’s talk about the action. The violence hits that sweet spot where it’s gritty but not gratuitous—think "Logan" meets "National Treasure" with a sprinkle of "Cabela's Big Game Hunter." There’s some humor too. Sure, it’s not Marvel’s usual zinger factory, but there are moments where you’ll chuckle between eye rolls.
Oh, and let’s not forget Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s abs, prominently displayed on the poster like a six-pack of justice. And yes, folks, they’re real. Photographer Gavin Bond confirmed, “This young man put in some serious hours at the gym.” While the abs get an A+, the rest of the movie, unfortunately, gets a D-minus for dragging its feet.
What I Disliked: A Game of Missed Targets
Now, onto the juicy gripes. First off, the pace. It’s slower than your Uncle Gary trying to parallel park an RV. There are entire scenes that feel like cinematic tumbleweeds, just rolling along without purpose.
Then there’s the casting. Fred Hechinger’s Rhino—or as I like to call him, “The Sad Horn”—lacks the menacing presence needed for a character who’s supposed to make you wet your pants in terror. Instead, he’s about as threatening as a declawed house cat.
And don’t get me started on the special effects. Some of them look like they were ripped straight from a mid-2000s PlayStation cutscene. Yes, it’s a comic book movie, but the cartoony CGI in a film that’s supposed to feel grounded? Let’s just say it’s a choice—and not a good one.
Finally, the runtime. At over two hours, it’s way too long. They could’ve trimmed an hour, and no one would’ve noticed—except maybe the editor, who was apparently on a coffee break for half the film.
The Verdict: A Hunt Worth the Haul?
In the end, "Kraven the Hunter" is like a mixed bag of trail mix. There are some tasty bits—the action, Aaron’s dedication to his gym routine, and a few decent laughs—but it’s bogged down by stale raisins of slow pacing, weak casting, and subpar CGI. My ranking? 5.2/10. It’s worth a watch, but maybe wait for streaming unless you’re a die-hard Marvel fan with a thing for leopard print.
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