Review of Monster Hunter (2020) by Methias — 15 Oct 2021

As an avid long term fan of the Monster Hunter computer game franchise, I wasn't sure what to expect after I heard about the plot premise of this film, but I decided to watch it all the same and honestly, it was more than what I was expecting. I am neither going to make this review to slam the film or give it praise it doesn't deserve.

What I got in this film was a great look into how the Monster Hunter universe could be very wonderfully adapted to the big screen, but unfortunately, I feel it fell very short with the story. The classic tale of being transported from one world to another is such a too often seen trope, it's become damaging, and that's exactly what I see here. I feel there was no need at all to have this whole military unit of our world being ported to the Monster Hunter world. The actors were great choices in my opinion, but I believe the story would of been far better off just being set solely in the MH universe from the get go, no crazy and out of place teleportation trope needed.

An example I could give of an idea I would of love to of seen would of been the characters we see being taken and trained up as new Monster Hunters, since we see plenty of the skills and weaponry of the world used in the film. This is where I truly saw moments that I absolutely adored. The use of monster parts, the carving up of the bodies, the demon mode of the dual daggers, this was where the film became the most interesting and fun for me. This is, of course, as a long term fan of the computer game series, so it was great to see all of this for me, as I am sure it was for many other fans like myself. For those who do not know the gaming franchise, I can see how that wouldn't have the same effect, but I don't doubt it still would of been interesting.

After all, as a newcomer, you'd be completely introduced to a whole new world and shown how the people of it work with it. Hunting beasts and monsters, using parts of them as armour, weapons and even using venom glands to their advantage. This was all so excellent to see and just fantastically done as this is really the core heart and soul of the Monster Hunter games, going after the next big game to get the parts for new gear and equipment, and it's always so fun to find out what monsters give you what parts.

The films visuals were fantastic. Over the years, I've seen the creatures of the MH universe being shown in greater and greater detail, but seeing them on the big screen in all this special effects glory was definitely a treat. They were done right, right down to the little details, so seeing Diablos and Rathalos among others this way was fantastic.

There were treats for fans of the computer game franchises as well in the scene of the Palico chef cooking up food, almost exactly like it's seen in the game of Monster Hunter World itself. And the fact that it's fundementally the same Palico, going by the scar blinding its left eye, it's a very wonderful nod to the game, something I really appreciated, espcially as he cooked up some meat just like its done in the game. Loved it!

Over all, the film was a chance of showing the Monster Hunter world in a brillant way on the big screen, but it has been hurt, rather sadly, by the fact that the story just isn't as good as it could of been. I never really thought to begin with a live action version of Monster Hunter would ever work, but seeing that this film isn't as awful as I ever expected has given me hope that perhaps there's a chance for a future installment, just with a far better story, if we're lucky. I will always say though, that I think it would do far better as an animated series or film. But only time will tell.

The whole thing gets a 6/10 because the visuals, designs, the Monsters, the weapons and gear as well as the nods to the computer game of Monster Hunter World were all so excellently done that it rescues the film from being one of the worst video game adaptations ever, but the story is what is taking away from it getting a higher score.

Still, if you're a fan of the game franchise, especially Monster Hunter World, it's worth a watch at least once. It's a fun viewing for fans and non-fans.