Despite the toothless script, the action scenes still have bite in J.C. Chandor’s Kraven the Hunter. Sadly, those action sequences are too sparse and formulaic to rescue this disappointing comic book adaptation. With a painfully rote plot and awkward dialogue, Kraven struggles to maintain momentum throughout its bloated runtime. The film’s only saving grace comes from Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who brings the character to life with a brooding intensity and undeniable charisma. His impressive, chiseled physique certainly adds to the appeal. Let’s just say Johnson understood the assignment. But, to be fair, Russell Crowe also delivers an enjoyable performance as the tough loving patriarch. However, the overly mechanical plot he’s forced to play in dulls much of his impact. Also adding to the film’s struggles is the frequently subpar CGI work. Much like Sony’s other comic book film outputs (looking at you Madame Web and Morbius), things can appear straight up shoddy in the special effects department. Throw in a forgettable villain and a laughable love subplot, and the movie quickly becomes a tedious watch. Fortunately, a handful of solid action sequences break up the barrage of clunky clichés, offering brief moments of entertainment. Sadly, it’s far from enough to keep Kraven the Hunter from falling victim to its own shortcomings.