When an action-packed film is centered around a movie star, the audience expects high-voltage stunts and mind-boggling feats typical to cinematic heroics. These could be as audacious as battling against multiple foes single-handedly or dashing down ancient stairways of a cityscape steeped in cultural history; or as dramatic as leaping from towering structures and hanging onto rapidly descending helicopters. In essence, these stars personify a superhuman spirit grounded in reality.
Sergei Kravinoff, or "Kraven the Hunter" played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson, is one such character, albeit from the Marvel universe boasting superhuman abilities. Since his introduction in the comic world in 1964 as an enemy to Spider-Man, Kraven exhibits recognizable Spider-Man-like abilities, like scaling building walls without a scratch and hurling himself off them. The movie's gripping opening scene shows him infiltrating a Siberian prison and assassinating a crime lord using a tooth extracted from a trophy-head of a saber-tooth-tiger. His daring escape is a spectacle of high jumps and ingenious maneuvering.
Despite his superhuman abilities, Kraven is portrayed with certain ordinary traits, rendering him a middle ground between an action hero like Jason Statham and super-abled Spider-Man. This can actually make him more relatable and enjoyable for audiences who prefer their heroes more grounded, like James Bond.
J.C. Chandor, the director of "Kraven the Hunter", started his career with intricate human dramas dappled with thrilling elements before venturing into the action genre. Taylor-Johnson, despite being a competent actor, seems to struggle with the character of Kraven, which at times reduces the otherwise captivating action sequences.
However, the film brings its audience into the world of Sergei's complex past, his tumultuous relations with his family, and his gripping face-off with a supervillain known as 'The Rhino'. Despite its thrilling premise, the film's execution at times may leave audiences feeling a bit lost, especially with its slightly murky narrative and undefined character arcs.
"Kraven the Hunter" delves into the roots of its central character, Sergei, though it sometimes struggles to maintain the same level of intrigue or excitement as viewers might expect from action and superhero films. As such, "Kraven the Hunter" sits just on the edge of delivering a truly compelling cinematic experience.
