Kraven the Hunter is a character that many fans are excited to see on the big screen. But this movie is not what everyone hoped for. The movie starts with laughter, but not the good kind. It’s the kind of laughter that makes you wonder if the filmmakers are serious about what they created. The film shows us a mix of silly accents, strange musical moments, and a lot of action that falls flat.

First, let’s talk about the main character, Sergei Kravinoff. He is not just a hunter of animals; he is a hunter of criminals. The story shows us his past and how he became who he is. As a boy, Sergei and his brother Dimitri are scared of their dad, Nikolai. Nikolai is a Russian mobster who believes in being strong and tough. He takes his boys on a hunting trip to Ghana after a family tragedy. This trip shapes Sergei’s future and gives him special powers. He gains the speed, strength, and eyes of a lion, but the way this change happens is strange and hard to watch. It feels like a cheap animation that distracts from the story.
In the present day, we see Sergei using his powers. He jumps, slides, and fights criminals. At one point, he even bites a poacher’s nose off! This sounds exciting, but it doesn’t work as well as it should. The action scenes are not as thrilling as they could be, and Sergei’s main power seems to be his strength. He rarely shows any care for the animals he claims to love, which is confusing.

One of the main themes of the film is supposed to be Sergei’s connection to animals. However, the movie does a poor job of showing this. Instead of caring for animals, Sergei uses them as tools in his fights. This is supposed to be a twist, but it feels more like a missed opportunity. The film doesn’t connect Sergei’s supposed love for animals with his actions, which makes it hard to believe in his character.
Family dynamics play a big role in the story, too. The relationship between Sergei and his brother is tense, and their father manipulates them. This could be an interesting part of the story, but the director seems uninterested in exploring it. Instead, we get a lot of action that feels disconnected from the plot.
As the film goes on, the action scenes become less engaging. There is a moment in the third act where Sergei fights gangsters in a forest. The editing is choppy, making it hard to follow what is happening. The excitement that should come from these moments is lost in confusing cuts and poor choreography.

Sergei has a sidekick, Calypso, who is a lawyer. Her character feels forced and doesn’t add much to the story. Their relationship lacks depth, and she seems to exist just to help Sergei when needed. This makes her a weak character who doesn’t have a real purpose in the film.
The cast of the movie includes talented actors like Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Russell Crowe. However, they are stuck in a script that doesn’t give them much to work with. The tone of the film is overly serious, which clashes with the absurdity of a character who can talk to animals. This is a missed chance to make something fun and engaging.
The villains in the movie, like the gangster Rhino, have moments that could be funny. But instead of leaning into the campy energy, the film takes itself too seriously. This creates a strange mix that leaves the audience confused about what they are supposed to feel.

In the end, Kraven the Hunter tries to make Sergei a pro-animal antihero. But instead, it feels like it shoots itself in the foot. The movie is a bland action film that fails to capture the character’s essence. It costs a lot to make, but it feels cheap. As a critic, I was lucky to see it without paying, but I suggest donating that money to a better cause instead.
In conclusion, Kraven the Hunter is not the film fans were hoping for. It misses the mark on many levels, from character development to action sequences. If you’re looking for a fun superhero movie, this one might not be for you. Instead, save your time and money for something that will truly entertain you. Let’s hope future movies can do better than this one.