Published: December 12, 2024 at 17:02Last updated: December 13, 2024 at 10:46
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3
FILM
«Kraven The Hunter»
J. C. Chandor
USA – 2024
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Sony’s studio’s exploitation of side characters around Spider-Man has caused one stunning flop after another, while many (myself included) have laughed heartily at turkeys like “Morbius” (2022) and “Madame Web” (2024). The studio’s “Venom: The last Dance” was panned by critics after its premiere in October, and now the year’s third film in this cinematic leftovers universe is coming.
Originally, “Kraven the Hunter” was supposed to premiere nearly two years ago, but studio interference, reshoots, chaos, and fiddling at the editing table contributed to massive delays.The typical stuff we have come to associate with the notoriously incompetent sony chief Tom Rothman, who did exactly the same during his disastrous reign at Fox Studios. Ther are, however, some reasons for optimism in the lead-up: “Kraven the Hunter” is the studio’s very frist “Spider-Man” spin-off released with a strict “R” age rating in the USA, and the project is directed by J.C. chandor.
An Oscar-nominated professional known for watchable indie films like “Margin Call” (2011) and “A Most Violent Year” (2014). It is indeed an open question how much creative freedom Chandor has had under these circumstances,but judging by the result that is finally being released in theaters: hardly any freedom at all. For “Kraven the Hunter” has regrettably become a typical Sony film: perhaps not as pathetic as “Morbius” and “Madame Web,” but marked by just the same weaknesses.
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Kraven has had a long and bumpy journey to the screen: back in 2011, this relentless trophy hunter was originally supposed to be the web-slinger’s opponent in Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man 4,” but he ended up in the unemployment line after the project was shelved. Then the plan was for Kraven to appear as one of the supervillains in the planned spin-off ”Sinister Six,” which was also canceled – while Sony put a stop to his supporting role in “Black Panther” (2018).
Instead, now the supervillain “Kraven the Hunter” has been transformed into a noble anti-hero. No longer an angry trophy hunter out to place Spider-Man’s head on the living room wall, but an altruistic animal friend and “prot
Unfortunately, the film does not settle for such simple pleasures but is also an origin story and a muddled gangster film. “Kraven the Hunter” starts with a lively prologue that proves to be the film’s great highlight (probably the reason Sony chose to release these eight minutes in full on YouTube as part of the marketing), as Sergei “Kraven” Kravinoff (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) infiltrates a top-secret Russian prison camp to eliminate a diabolical arms dealer. It’s a pity this introduction is in no way representative of the rest of the story, which in familiar Sony style plunges right into a lengthy flashback - where a teenage Sergei (Levi Miller) mourns his mother’s suicide and is sent on a trophy hunting safari with his sensitive half-brother Dmitri (Billy Barratt).
Their hard-nosed mafia boss father Nikolai (Russell Crowe) intends to toughen the boys up by shooting defenseless animals, but instead, Sergei is mauled by a CGI lion – and brought back to life with the help of a magical Voodoo spell that gives him vaguely defined lion superpowers. Afterwards, Sergei escapes to the Siberian plains, where he moves into a greenhouse, dedicates his time to protecting wild animals, and play-wrestles with CGI leopards. As one does. Meanwhile, Dad’s criminal empire threatens Sergei from Aleksei “The Rhino” Sytsevich (Alessandro Nivola), who kidnaps Sergei (now played by Fred Hechinger) and lays a plan to take out his half-brother Kraven. Fortunately, the animal friend has good help from his platonic lawyer friend calypso (Ariana DeBose), who just happens to have revived him in his teenage years.
Yes, this is just as unfocused, chaotic, and messy as it sounds, bearing strong signs of tinkering during post-production. So it should come as no surprise that several of the scenes we saw in the first trailer are now absent,and that even Kraven’s superpowers have changed along the way.The entire film is etched with the sticky fingerprints of studio chief Tom Rothman, and is characterized by his conspicuous lack of respect for the audience’s intelligence. So even though the age limit has been raised, the target audience is still restless twelve-year-olds with learning difficulties.It’s hard to claim the film fully utilizes its “R” rating,but the action sequences are staged with slightly greater impact than normal (and spiced up with sporadic cutaway shots of side characters saying ”fuck” from time to time).
Everything is, however, burdened by synthetic visual effects of very variable quality, with a digital wildlife one might diplomatically describe as “barely convincing”. J.C. Chandor is saddled with a lousy script marked by eye
A couple of days before the film’s world premiere, the industry website The Wrap published a lengthy overview of Sony’s disastrous superhero films, concluding that “Kraven the Hunter” is very likely to be the studio’s very last “Spider-Man” spin-off. Rather,they will henceforth focus on projects with Spider-Man himself; including the animated sequel “Spider-Man: beyond the spider-Verse,” a fourth film with Tom Holland,and a miniseries where Nicolas Cage portrays “Spider-Man Noir.” So “Kraven the Hunter” serves its function in a way, by humanely killing off a film series that never had a right to exist in the first place.
How does the R rating affect audience expectations for “Kraven the Hunter” compared to previous films in Sony’s Spider-Man universe?
Interview between Time.news Editor adn Film Expert
Time.news Editor: Welcome, and thank you for joining us today! We’re diving into the much-anticipated release of “Kraven the Hunter,” directed by J.C. Chandor. Given the tumultuous journey this character has taken to the screen, what are your initial thoughts on how Sony has handled this project?
Film Expert: Thank you for having me! It’s indeed a fascinating topic. Sony’s struggle with their Spider-Man universe has become somewhat of a comedy in itself—the slew of missteps like “Morbius” and “Madame Web” certainly didn’t set a high bar. “Kraven the hunter” was initially slated for release much earlier, and the extensive delays due to studio interference are worrisome.It seems there’s a pattern of chaos surrounding their approach to side characters.
Time.news Editor: That’s a great point! The delays and setbacks have garnered a lot of attention.What do you think about the decision to give ”Kraven” an R rating? Is that a sign of a new direction for Sony, or merely a desperate attempt to stand out?
Film Expert: It’s definitely engaging! An R rating could imply a more mature treatment of the character, which could be a step in the right direction—especially considering kraven’s original persona as a relentless trophy hunter.It’s intriguing to think about how they’ve turned him into a sort of noble anti-hero,but I wonder how convincingly they can execute that given the studio’s track record. It might be Sony’s way of trying to reclaim creative authority amidst all the chaos.
Time.news Editor: You hit on a crucial aspect—weather J.C. Chandor had the creative freedom he needed. his previous work, especially films like “Margin Call,” showcases his talent in presenting complex narratives. How do you think he fared within the confines of Sony’s typical filmmaking environment?
Film Expert: I suspect Chandor’s skills were somewhat stifled. He’s proven he can handle intricate stories and character growth. However, the narrative we’ve seen from “Kraven” so far appears to reflect the classic ‘Sony template’—which leaves room for amusement but not much depth. There’s potential here for a fascinating take on Kraven, but it seems hampered by the studio’s lack of a coherent vision for its universe.
Time.news Editor: It’s fascinating to consider the character’s evolution over the years, from being a potential villain in Sam Raimi’s shelved projects to now being depicted as an altruistic figure. How do you evaluate this transformation in terms of character depth and audience expectation?
Film Expert: That change is reflective of a larger trend in superhero narratives—shifting from clear-cut heroes and villains to more ambiguous characters. While it can intrigue viewers and add layers to storytelling, if not done meticulously, it risks alienating fans who appreciate the traditional character arcs. “Kraven” might be aiming for complexity, but its execution could either spark enthusiasm or confusion, especially considering the character’s troubled past on the big screen.
Time.news Editor: A delicate balance, indeed. As we look at the initial reception and upcoming screenings, what do you predict? Can “Kraven the Hunter” overcome its rocky launch and potentially redeem Sony’s faltering cinematic universe?
Film Expert: I wouldn’t write it off entirely, but I think the film will struggle to leave a lasting impression. If it can tap into the darker themes suggested by its R-rating and harness Chandor’s filmmaking strengths, there’s a chance it could stand above the other misfires. That said, it will take more than just a fresh rating to convince audiences to invest in what has been viewed as a cinematic graveyard. People are hungry for quality narratives, and the pressure is on for Sony to deliver.
Time.news Editor: Insightful as always! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on “kraven the Hunter.” It’s a intricate world for superhero films, but one that we will continue to watch closely. We appreciate your expertise!
Film Expert: Thank you for having me! It’s always a pleasure to discuss the ever-evolving landscape of film with its passionate audience. Let’s hope for the best with “Kraven!”