MONSTER HUNTER

US, 2020, 99 minutes, Colour.
Milla Jovovich, Tony Jaa, T.I.Harris, Ron Perlman, Megan Good, Diego Boneta.
Directed by Paul W.S.Anderson.

It is there in the title – or, is it? The human hunters of monsters? Or is it the monster, pursuing the humans, a Monster Hunter? Well, both.

For more than 20 years, British director, Paul W.S.Anderson, has been making a variety of action films. He also has relied on computer games for his scenarios. In fact, he has written and directed six Resident Evil action shows. And, for almost 20 years, his leading character is played by his wife, Milla Jovovich. And they are working together here.

Back in the 1970s, there were quite a number of British shows set in Palaeolithic times – or before – with titles like Land that Time Forgot, People that Time Forgot, At the Earth’s Core. Exotic creatures, dinosaurs, Neanderthals… In a way, this is a 21st-century variation on the theme, based on a computer game, from Capcom’s Monster Hunter series.

It has a striking opening, some old-style galleons sailing through the desert, through the sand dune waves. And then, after appreciating the setting, we are transferred into “our world� and a United Nations patrol out in the desert, led by Artemis (Milla Jovovich), who are suddenly overwhelmed by a sand tornado, giant tusks emerging from the sand wind, and a gigantic monstrous creature (with touches of dinosaur and dragon) which wreaks havoc on the unit, tossing Artemis through the time barrier back into the world of the galleons. She emerges from a pod, finding the gigantic creature but also a whole flock of smaller versions. Lots of pursuit and chase.

But, we have seen a mysterious warrior figure in the mountains, with large bow and arrow. He comes to confront Artemis, instant suspicions and hostilities but, we know, that despite language barriers, there will be some meeting of minds and martial arts forces (after some vivid fights) and a bar of chocolate providing one means of reconciliation. This is The Hunter, played by famous Thai martial arts actor (the Ong Bak series), Tony Jaa.

So, the action is mainly fight and survival. And another character appears, the Admiral, played by veteran Ron Perlman. And, there is a return to “our world�, a helicopter and plane rescue which will be fatal.

So, back to the world of galleons, Artemis, The Hunter, and the Admiral and, one supposes, Monster Hunter 2 (at least!).

1. The origins of the adventure in the videogame, Capcom? Adaptation to the big screen, characters and actors, locations, action? Parallel worlds?

2. The discipline of case and is, the United Nations mission, “Our World�? The visualising of The New World�? The deserts, the ruins, the tower, the oasis? The rousing musical score?

3. The statement that there were other possible worlds behind our own, of which we are unconscious?

4. The introduction to the alternate world, the galleons sailing through the sand? The wrecks? The transition to the recognisable world?

5. Mission, Artemis and her leadership, the other members of the crew? The emergence of the sandstorm? The appearance of the creatures? Gigantic creatures, the attack, the weaponry, the impossibility of destroying them? The defence, the creatures attack, the destruction of the unit? Artemis and her being wounded, transferred to the other world?

6. The image of The Hunter, in the mountains, and arrow, firing at the creatures?

7. Artemis, her survival, continued combat with the creatures? The range of creatures, gigantic, the smaller creatures? The caves? The pods? Artemis and her survival, trek through the desert, escapes?

8. The Hunter, his appearance, language, confrontation with Artemis, the detailed fights, capturing her, the water, the food? Communication? Eventual breakdown of difficulties, the common enemy?

9. The continued activity of the creatures? Maintaining the atmosphere?

10. Artemis and the Hunter, communication, working together? Words? The chocolate? Going through the desert, finding the oasis, Artemis approaching the water, the creature in the water?

11. The galleons, the Admiral, his power in the alternate world? Artemis in The Hunted joining with him? The confrontation with the creatures? The battles? The tailor? The lightning?

12. Artemis, her return to the ordinary world, the mission to rescue her, helicopters, planes? The troops? The attack of the creatures, the further destruction?

13. Artemis, the Admiral, the others from the alternate world, joining to help her, the final confrontation and a destruction of the creature?