‘Kraven the Hunter’ Review: Craven? Not Quite, but Aaron Taylor-Johnson Stars in a Marvel Action Movie Where Everything Feels Derivative

As a lifelong comic book enthusiast and action movie aficionado, I found “Kraven the Hunter” to be a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, it delivers the high-octane action sequences that one expects from such a film, with Aaron Taylor-Johnson displaying his physical prowess in various death-defying stunts. However, the movie seems to struggle with its identity, teetering between being an action-packed spectacle and a character-driven drama.

As a film aficionado, I can’t help but marvel at how action stars, such as the indomitable Jason Statham, manage to perform feats that seem straight out of a movie script: dismantling a gang of five thugs with just his fists in a matter of minutes, navigating automobiles at breakneck speeds along the historic stairways of European cities, and performing death-defying stunts like leaping from balconies or clinging to helicopter rudders as they swoop through the air. In essence, he embodies a real-life superhero, his actions grounded in theory but executed with an otherworldly flair.

In the comics, Sergei Kravinoff (portrayed by Aaron Taylor-Johnson) is famously known as “Kraven the Hunter,” but unlike traditional action heroes, he isn’t defined by superhuman feats. Instead, he boasts a unique edge that sets him apart in the Marvel universe. Making his debut in 1964 as Spider-Man’s adversary, Kraven shares remarkable similarities with the web-slinger. He demonstrates an uncanny ability to scale buildings and take leaps without injury. The film introduces us to this character in a gripping opening scene where he infiltrates a Siberian prison, executing a crime lord using a rather unconventional method: extracting a tooth from a saber-tooth tiger trophy head and delivering a fatal blow with it. Subsequently, Kraven manages to escape by performing various agile movements, bending metal objects, and engaging in other such feats.

Compared to the acrobatic, web-slinging Spider-Man, the Kraven depicted in “Kraven the Hunter” appears relatively ordinary with his talents. One could describe him as being somewhere between Jason Statham and Spider-Man. Unlike a typical Statham movie where we can imagine the hero isn’t supernaturally endowed – he’s simply using skills similar to James Bond – Kraven is more engaging to watch because of this relatability. As a film, “Kraven the Hunter” signifies the start of the climactic phase for Sony’s Spider-Man Universe, and it feels as though the movie leans into the ordinary nature of Kraven’s minor enhancements, making him seem like just another comic book brawler.

Initially known for directing intelligent human dramas with a thriller edge (“All Is Lost,” “Margin Call”), J.C. Chandor ventured into the realm of action films in 2019 with the Netflix production “Triple Frontier.” The upcoming movie, “Kraven the Hunter,” appears to be his attempt at blockbuster success. It’s understandable why he chose this project. Aaron Taylor-Johnson, sporting long hair and a beard, plays Kraven, a somewhat restless superhero (or technically, supervillain). However, a less diplomatic assessment would be that he comes across as the third-rate superhero one might expect, similar to Morbius or Madame Web. The action in “Kraven the Hunter” is satisfactory, but it seldom excites or captivates.

Rather than focusing on the main plot, we’re drawn into the background story of the character Sergei. This includes his ruthless gangster father, portrayed by Russell Crowe with a heavy Russian accent, his mother’s suicide, and his protective bond with his gentle brother Dmitri (Fred Hechinger). There’s also his battle against an adversary called the Rhino (Alessandro Nivola), who, due to a lab experiment, has developed an indestructible hide and has destructive abilities – think of him as a version of the Hulk similar to how Kraven is to Spider-Man. The Rhino abducts Dimitri to entice Kraven into his lair, but it’s all part of a larger scheme. Nivola gives the Rhino an Esperanto accent and a slightly nerdy grin that hints at self-admiring menace; he’s as cunning a scene-stealer as Crowe is.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson, the actor, doesn’t overpower scenes, which is why I keep anticipating his performances. He impressed me in “Nocturnal Animals”, “Nowhere Boy”, and “Savages”, and for some time, he appeared to be on the path to stardom with his smooth good looks, a hint of dangerous allure, and an air of refined British authority. However, recent speculations about him playing James Bond have proven unfounded, leading me to question whether Taylor-Johnson possesses that elusive ‘X factor’. In “Kraven the Hunter”, he performs admirably during chase scenes through London streets and while clinging to a fast-moving van. However, his American accent seems to undermine him as it diminishes his character. There’s a lengthy scene where his character, Sergei, talks to Calypso (Ariana DeBose), his corporate partner, on a bench, and Taylor-Johnson is overshadowed by the dialogue’s expository nature. He should have found a way to make that scene more impactful.

The movie “Kraven the Hunter” essentially provides a backstory, delving into Sergei’s childhood in Africa, where Calypso rescued him after a lion attack. However, the Kraven character we encounter is already an established hunter, possessing a list of targets he intends to eliminate. The identities and origins of these targets remain unclear, as does the source of this list. Furthermore, the final confrontation occurs during a buffalo stampede, with no apparent justification.

2024-12-11 23:18

‘Kraven the Hunter’ Review: Craven? Not Quite, but Aaron Taylor-Johnson Stars in a Marvel Action Movie Where Everything Feels Derivative

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