Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong
Breck Eisner (Sahara, The Crazies) returns to the directors chair with an all star cast behind him in the new Vin Diesel-driven vehicle, The Last Witch Hunter. The Movie itself is all kinds of crazy and ridiculous, but Diesel appears to be having an absolute blast with something that’s refreshingly not Fast and the Furious. The Movie albeit predictable is still entertaining, with a gust of laughter following the one-liners.
The Last Witch Hunter starts off in the olden days with Kaulder (Vin Diesel) and his band of Dolans try to take down the Witch Queen (Julie Engelbrecht) from destroying the human race. Kaulder manages to kill the Witch Queen, but not without first being cursed with immorality. Fast forward to modern day, where we reunite with Kaulder as he is taking on witches in the 21st century New York City with help of his 36th Dolan (Michael Caine). Upon the Dolan‘s retirement, Kaulder finds out the next morning that his friend and former Dolan has passed from the 37th Dolan (Elijah Wood). Realizing that something isn’t right, Kaulder goes to examine the situation and finds out that his friend was cursed and attacked by witches, sending Kaulder on a mission to seek revenge and stop a war from happening between the Cross (the Dolans’ and hierarchy) and the witches. Upon fighting a few witches, Kaulder discovers that they are trying to bring back the Witch Queen. Can Kaulder save New York, or will the Witch Queen rise again and cause havoc.
Vin Diesel who has proven is more than capable of carrying a franchise (Riddick and Fast and the Furious) is back again, but this time as a Witch Hunter in which aptly over-acts, while kicking some serious butt. Diesel is fully aware the Movie he’s starring-in and because he is, we enjoy it that much more. On top of his fun performance, Michael Caine while barely present, delivers the fun which is at once unexpected and brilliant.
The Last Witch Hunter while not an Awards contender, surely is enjoyable and ridiculous. For the crowd that loved Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters, this is a perfect cut from that same cloth.
eOne Films releases THE LAST WITCH HUNTER in theatres on Friday, October 23, 2015.
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