With known names such as Vin Diesel, Rose Leslie, Elijah Wood, and the legendary Michael Caine, the movie has the star power. Did our JP like it? Check out his review for “The Last Witch Hunter.”
THE LAST WITCH HUNTER
(Summit Entertainment)
Rating: PG-13 for sequences of fantasy violence and frightening images
Running Time: 106 minutes
Directed by Breck Eisner
Starring: Vin Diesel, Elijah Wood, Rose Leslie, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Julie Engelbrecht, and Michael Caine
J.P.’s Take:
In “The Last Witch Hunter,” you would think an 800-year-old witch slayer would have bountiful stories to tell. Instead, the witch-hunt fantasy lacks a compelling tale or even staying power. The reasoning is flat character development and disjointed story pieces.
The first half feels like an epic fantasy, as we learn that the Witch Queen (Julie Engelbrecht) has cursed Kaulder (Vin Diesel) a 14th century warrior, with eternal life. This may not sound like such a bad deal at first, until we understand why. Eight centuries ago, Kaulder and his brood put an end to the queen’s torment, in the process killing himself while destroying the queen. Yet, the plague she planned to unleash still threatens to transcend the ages, something she has vowed to bestow upon the world again. And once again, Kaulder bares the burden of putting the kibosh on her rebirth as well as the curse.
The issues lay within the incoherent story. Kaulder must remember his death in order to thwart queeny’s return, yet he has to sift through obscure clues left in a book with bloody finger prints. He has to then track down sketchy characters; many of which we know nothing if anything about in order to get the 411. We’re left with other clues that don’t fully appear, nor give way to any new revelations.
Helping Kaulder along the way is a new crew, Dolan the 36th (Michael Caine), whom I feel is under utilized; Dolan the 37th (Elijah Wood) and a good witch named Chloe (Rose Leslie), who helps him remember his past. Belial (Olafur Darri Olafsson), a brawny opponent appears out of the shadows, who also prompt Kaulder to do the same. Yet why would he help Kaulder just as he’s also trying to kill him?
I have to hand it to director Breck Eisner for assembling some pretty eye catching battles. Yet, as to the true victors of these mini wars, you’re left scratching your head. I will give credit to the writers Corey Goodman, Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless for building in scenes that give Kaulder motivation for his actions. Again, the story feels more ambitious than what is display on the big screen.
There are some inherent dangers also etched in the story that warrants audience attention. Kaulder’s immortality is at stake, whether or not he wants it to continue or not. And as he reminisces about his past that threat comes into view clearly. I can’t say I was impressed with this flick, however, Vin Diesel did what he could to carry his load….athough he can’t carry the movie alone. The only other stand out as far as characters would be the creepy queen. She looked and sounded like something out of a fair tale nightmare.
I was hoping “The Last Witch Hunter” would do for Vin Diesel as “Blade” has done for Wesley Snipes. Although the script is original, it is also fragmented. The dialogue is lifeless and action sequences are shrouded by quick cuts, which are too close up to discern. I understand there is a sequel in the works, hopefully, it will clear up some of this madness and make a better tale.