Monster Hunter arrived in Chinese theaters earlier this month, only to be pulled when a racist joke in the movie generated a huge amount of backlash in the Middle Kingdom. Currently, it's set to hit the U.S tomorrow, but these reviews are likely to make you think twice about braving your local theater.
We'll start with the trades. The Hollywood Reporter describes the video game adaptation as "more an expensive VFX demo reel than a story," adding that "the chemistry between [Milla Jovovich and Tony Jaa] represent all the human interest in this unimaginative sci-fi actioner, but that doesn't mean the pic's relentless focus on giant-monster battles won't please the director's fans."
As for Variety, they were similarly unimpressed. "Very little of 'Monster Hunter' makes sense," reads the review, "but it’s visually interesting at least and not un-fun to stream at home with a friend, asking questions and cracking jokes along the way."
So, fans of Anderson's Resident Evil movies are likely to be happy, but IndieWire weren't based on the site's "D-" review. "While the best moments of the final battle come perilously close to being watchable (cruddy special effects and all), the story around is so gallingly hollow that it feels like something between a slap in the face and a self-own when 'Monster Hunter' ends with its heroes rushing towards a fight with the biggest, coolest beast we’ve seen yet." Ouch.
In Entertainment Weekly's "C" verdict, it's made clear that the ending of Monster Hunter is particularly disappointing. "A film that doesn't even bother to wrap up its own story," it notes, "instead gesturing vaguely at a hypothetical sequel, is telling you exactly how much you should care about it. At least some of those monsters are fun and gross."
The Los Angeles Times' take isn't much better, revealing: "Alas, the good stuff comes too late. To be fair, all this movie promises from the start is monsters and hunters, and Anderson delivers both, from the first frame to the credits. But for way too long, the generic title is matched to generic action."
Honestly, it's hard to say who Sony Pictures is hoping will check this one out.
Are you guys planning to give Monster Hunter a chance after reading these reviews?