Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

Monster Hunter 3D Blu-ray Movie Review

A kick-ass action-adventure starring Milla Jovovich.

Monster Hunter 3D is adapted from the original video-game (of the same name) by Capcom. Written for the screen and directed by Paul W.S. Anderson (Resident Evil, Event Horizon), the big-budget spectacle reunites Anderson with his wife and filmmaking partner, actress Milla Jovovich. An entertaining and action-packed adventure.

Artemis (Milla Jovovich) leads a team of soldiers across the desert in a battle against otherworldly monsters in a strange new world. As the team of soldiers fights against the barrage of giant creatures, the mission becomes more dangerous and the stakes are raised. Upon meeting the mysterious Hunter (Tony Jaa), Artemis battles and then teams up with the warrior to take on the monsters. Can these big monsters be defeated?

Milla Jovovich leads the film as Artemis. Jovovich is a strong leading actress and she provides Monster Hunter with a sense of fun and charisma that is undeniable. Tony Jaa is a strong supporting player as Hunter. Jaa is an expert fighter and he adds intensity to the action sequences.

The cinematography by Glen MacPherson (Resident Evil: The Final Chapter, 16 Blocks ) is stunning: providing a perfectly lit backdrop to the action-adventure. The visuals help make the film a more rewarding experience. An engaging aesthetic that fits the tone of the filmmaking.

The production design by Edward Thomas (Escape Room, Doctor Who) delivers a impressive sense of scope and scale. The otherworldly elements of the desert landscape make the world-building all that more impressive. A job well-done by Thomas.

A must-see in 3D.

The costume designs by Danielle Knox (Safe House, The World Unseen) are another effective element. The costumes seem well-suited to the video-game characters. Milla Jovovich has a great costume as Artemis (as does Tony Jaa as Hunter). These costumes seem as though pulled directly out of a video game and that is well-suited to the genre.

The music composed by Paul Haslinger (Underworld, The Irregulars) is engaging and action-packed. While a far cry from a classic film score, Haslinger provides a decent-enough background to the big action set-pieces. The score is effective at enhancing the tone of the filmmaking and that makes it a worthwhile trip.

Paul W.S. Anderson (not to be mistaken with Licorice Pizza director Paul Thomas Anderson) has an undeniably cool sense of artistic style. Anderson gives the filmmaking plenty of energy. Monster Hunter 3D is as entertaining as one would expect for a Anderson film.

Monster Hunter 3D Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on 3D Blu-ray from Constantin Film, Monster Hunter 3D is presented in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.39:1 widescreen. The release is presented in a MPEG-4 MVC. The presentation is often phenomenal in 3D.

The 3D effect is sometimes inconsistent, though. During some of the big action scenes (especially during the opening sequence and the final battle of the film), the effects are stunning in 3D and incredibly immersive. Some sequences are a bit less impressive: providing a subtle sense of depth but nothing more. Viewers should keep expectations in check as this is not a slam-dunk 3D title but it is an effective one nonetheless and worth seeing on the format for the big action scenes (where the 3D work was more impressive).

Monster Hunter 3D Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in English DTS-HD High Resolution 5.1 surround sound. The release could have benefited from a lossless audio presentation. However, despite being a lossy sound mix, it still sounds excellent as a high-resolution track. The difference with these types of high resolution tracks is that the audio is compressed to a static bit-rate. Though it has clearer resolution compared to a standard lossy track, it isn't fully uncompressed (and there is no variable bit-rate with peaks and lows). Nonetheless, Monster Hunter 3D still sounds pretty good as is.

Monster Hunter 3D Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The limited collectors edition steelbook comes with collectible packaging. The steelbook release has better art-work than the standard edition release. The steelbook has a matte-finish but it is actually relatively nice-looking in hand and the print quality doesn't disappoint. There were no paint streaks (common on lower-quality matte-finish steelbooks). The back artwork has a outstanding promotional photo of Milla Jovovich as Artemis. Fans of the film with an appreciation for steelbook editions won't want to miss out.

The Monster Hunters (HD, 7:52)

For the Players: Game to Screen (HD, 6:41)

Monstrous Arsenal (HD, 5:03)

Deleted Scenes (HD, 3:25)

Interviews:

Director Paul W.S. Anderson (HD, 5:10)

Diego Boneta ("Marshall") (HD, 4:51)

Tony Jaa ("Hunter") (HD, 3:39)

Milla Jovovich ("Artemis") (HD, 4:34)

Ron Perlman ("The Admiral") (HD, 5:07)

Jannik Schumann ("Aiden") (HD, 2:40)

Monster Hunter Theatrical Trailers:

Trailer A (German) (HD, 2:05)

Trailer C (German) (HD, 2:05)

Trailer A (English) (HD, 2:04)

Trailer C (English) (HD, 2:04)

The release also includes a selection of trailers promoting other releases: Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (HD, 2:37), Horizon Line (HD, 1:55), Pompeii (HD, 2:23), Pandorum (HD, 2:06), Shadow (HD, 2:10), Waiting for the Barbarians (HD, 2:00), Shootout (HD, 1:46), The Bouncer (HD, 1:44), and Acts of Violence (HD, 2:43).

Monster Hunter 3D Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Monster Hunter 3D is an entertaining action-packed event film. The film delivers spectacle in spades. Star Milla Jovovich is a tough badass in the leading role and she exudes confidence throughout the film. Collaborating with her husband and filmmaking partner, Paul W.S. Anderson (Resident Evil), audiences will be thrilled to see Milla Jovovich kicking ass against giant and otherworldly monsters. The 3D presentation is worthwhile for the action sequences. The release also includes a nice selection of bonus features. Fans of steelbook editions will appreciate the vastly superior art-work and the nice print quality of the matte-finish. Recommended.