Monster Hunter is an international fantasy film based upon a video game of the same title. I haven't played said video game but watched a few trailers and playthroughs and realized that it might not be my cup of tea. The movie however offers intense entertainment that should appeal to a wide audience.

The story of the film is rather simple and frankly stated not very important. A group of soldiers is looking for a unit that has disappeared without a trace. They get caught in a devastating sandstorm and are transported to a parallel universe. Here, the soldiers discover the remnants of the unit they have been looking for. The members of the lost unit seem to have died gruesome deaths. The new group of soldiers, led by headstrong, resilient and tough U. S. Army Ranger Captain Natalie Artemis start to investigate and soon discover different types of gigantic monsters that destroy everything on their way. Their rescue mission has now become a challenging quest for survival.

This movie convinces on numerous levels. First of all, the film's special effects are truly captivating and best enjoyed on the big screen. The landscapes look dystopian, the monsters appear to be menacing and the numerous fight scenes with different types of strategies and weapons should keep viewers on the edges of their seats.

Up next, the acting performances are surprisingly great even though few words are spoken. Milla Jovovich is still the most talented action movie actress to be around and oozes with charisma, credibility and strength. Tony Jaa shines as mysterious Hunter who has trouble communicating with the protagonist but slowly uncovers a touching background story. Veteran actor Ron Perlman only appears in the opening scene of the film and in the final third but he portrays his commanding, gritty and rough character The Admiral with much conviction.

The movie has a perfect length of one hour and forty-three minutes and entertains from start to finish. There are no boring, repetitive or slow moments. The film might lack depth regarding the plot but excels in the action and fantasy departments.

Monster Hunter is a perfect movie if you feel like switching your brain off and enjoying a fast-paced ride through a dystopian universe. This film convinces with its compact length, convincing performances by the cast and breathtaking special effects. Both fans of the video game and those who had never heard of it beforehand like myself can easily enjoy this dynamic movie.

Incredible that Anderson's films do well enough for him to keep on making them. He takes a break from flogging the dead RESIDENT EVIL franchise to make a stereotypical monster film with his wife Milla Jovovich (who else?). The whole film essentially consists of people running away from giant CGI FX, repeated until the very end. Poor old Tony Jaa plays in support and is humiliated by Jovovich throughout (as if she could ever take him). Perlman's head appears amid the incessant FX. If you want to see this kind of story done properly and with good humour, check out TREMORS.

Army Ranger Captain Artemis (Milla Jovovich) and company are transported to another world filled with monsters. She eventually teams up with Tony Jaa to fight monsters on various boss levels. This is a high octane action film based on a video game. Plot is secondary to effects and fighting. It is a combination of "Star Gate", "LOTR" "Rodan" and "Fritz the Cat."

Good action film. Nothing more or less.