Rent Monster Hunter (2014)

Spoilers follow ... - Monster Hunter review by NP

Something is amiss in the small town community of Maiden Wood. Animals are going missing, and people are being reduced to dismembered limbs scattered amongst the autumn leaves. In fact, this is a very autumnal film – in many scenes, the colours are bled out of the images, or a subtle filter is placed on the camera, reducing the atmosphere to a dawn coldness. The soundtrack, too, is a mixture of sombre music and what could be the sound of a hollow wind. Director Jack Teller certainly imbues his world with an unsettling unease.

Into this, Sherriff Shields (Kevin Durand) tentatively strides, acting on varied reports of ‘something in the trees’. Shields is played with a kind of weighty sense of unease and disappointment. The emergence of muddied hoof-prints running through the area does nothing to lighten his mood. His estrangement with wife Susan (Bianca Kajlich) and son Adam (Ethan Khusidman) is nicely underscored: two people torn about by a tragedy who were clearly meant to be together. Never over-sentimental, but quietly powerful.

Windiga, a creature from Native American legend, is revealed very slowly, a limb at a time. It finally makes its appearance during a terrific, isolating snowstorm. Sometimes what you don’t see is more effective – but the way the creature is realised doesn’t let anything down. The showdown is terrific. What comes after is even better.

It’s a monster-on-the-loose film, and is an exceptional example of its kind.

Monster Hunter . - Monster Hunter review by porky

Pretty Dull ,made for TV ,Sunday Afternoon Film. not at all scary,or fr that matter very interesting, Dreadful bunch of Characters.

Dullsville .Yawnfest, better than a poke in the eye with a lemon juiced finger but only just .