Monster Hunter (2020) - 3/5

This movie is a fun action romp with a few glaring problems which, if overlooked, make for a very enjoyable experience. Initially it has military horror vibes in line with the directors previous films, but eventually it morphs into a love letter to the video games in its own excitable way. Ron Pearlman phones in his lines and there are several plot contrivances, but the action is excellent and the CGI vividly brings the monsters to life. Fans of the game will see a lot that they recognize, and in a few places won’t see some things they may expect. It’s one of the best video game adaptations, but that’s not a high bar.

Closest comparison: It’s like the action horror of Resident Evil (2002) that morphs into the action scenes from The Witcher.

Setting: Fantasy
Plot: Adventure
Tone: Horror, then Action

Hellboy (2019) - 3/5

This movie’s main draw is its visual aesthetic, which is so Metal that it looks like it was taken directly from an Iron Maiden album cover. It overemphasizes the goriness wherever it can, but if that’s your thing you’ll probably like this movie more than I did. There are lots of fun locations and characters, with a few sequences that were exceptionally well done. Unfortunately, there are too many plotting problems, with unclear character motivations and stakes. Unless you’re really into the visual style, just rewatch Guillermo Del Toro’s 2004 classic again instead.

Content warning: language, gore, dead children, brief female nudity

Closest comparison: It’s like someone read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and thought, “This needs more demons, intestines, and severed limbs.”

Setting: Hidden World
Plot: Adventure
Tone: Horror/Splatter