There was a period when movies featuring zombies were everywhere. It seemed like you couldn't avoid zombie-themed films, which was part of a larger trend with narratives that felt overloaded. While zombies remain common in pop culture on both the big and small screen—who hasn’t heard of “The Walking Dead”?—another iconic horror symbol, the witch, is now gaining renewed prominence in cinema. Unfortunately, this exploration of witches in "The Last Witch Hunter" feels like an over-the-top production with excessive, poorly integrated CGI. There are several reasons why "The Last Witch Hunter" might be considered a jumbled mess of high-tech effects. However, some people find that kind of mindless entertainment to be a guilty pleasure worth enjoying. And “The Last Witch Hunter” will likely attract its share of viewers as a flashy and grainy fantasy adventure, though it feels strained and tries too hard to showcase its artificial energy. "The Last Witch Hunter" focuses on delivering simple thrills and embraces over-the-top action with enthusiasm. While upping the energy level isn’t inherently bad, the movie lacks focus and never fully commits to being a unique or imaginative story. Instead, it feels like a collection of elements borrowed from other, better films. Vin Diesel's casting seems fitting for something as unconventional as "The Last Witch Hunter." The action star, known for franchises like “The Fast and the Furious” and “Riddick,” takes on the role of Kaulder, an 800-year-old immortal witch hunter. Of course, Kaulder is a tormented figure who has dedicated his existence to hunting witches. He must eliminate these magical threats to deal with the tragic curse that haunts him. While Kaulder enjoys hunting and destroying witches, he develops a connection with one young witch, Chloe (Rose Leslie from “Game of Thrones”), whose help proves invaluable. He’s also joined by the diminutive cleric Dolan 37 (Elijah Wood) in their quest. Some details about Kaulder's background are revealed; we know he works for an organization called Axe and Cross, and we meet his longtime friend, Dolan 36 (Michael Caine). The only thing that’s clear is Kaulder’s passion for hunting witches. The film touches on Kaulder and company’s mission to eliminate the “broomstick broads,” but the plot thickens as concerns arise about the resurrection of the Witch Queen (Julie Englebrecht). Naturally, she poses an immediate threat due to their complicated history. Can the coven seeking to revive her succeed in overcoming Kaulder and his crew? “The Last Witch Hunter” is a clichéd and bizarre concept that feels like a tangled ball of yarn. Director Breck Eisner’s fantasy adventure echoes the forgettable, computer-generated visuals seen in “The Seventh Son,” which also featured Jeff Bridges. The film suffers from Eisner's unfocused direction and a script by Cory Goodman, Burk Sharpless, and Matt Sazama (responsible for "Priest" and "Dracula Untold"), resulting in a flavorless mix of ingredients that never quite blend together. It’s relentlessly murky and misguided, failing to spark anything beyond the shocking, cartoonish imagery. The premise feels forced and disjointed, with unremarkable cinematography and uneven special effects. The story isn't particularly gripping, even when viewed as campy entertainment. "The Last Witch Hunter" is frivolous and never manages to capture its imaginative potential, no matter how outlandish it tries to be. While Diesel fans may enjoy his performance, he doesn’t stray far from the familiar characters he’s played before. He's often delivered over-the-top action, which has appealed to a wide audience. The question is whether they’ll find value in seeing him act among witches and sorcerers in a production that feels like it was conceived with crayons during the Middle Ages. The supporting actors are as casually acknowledged as the saturated and indulgent whims of this far-fetched fable. Calling Diesel's character the "last witch hunter" seems misleading, as sequels will likely continue the story. Ultimately, moviegoers may suffer from succumbing to the laughable supernatural spell that “The Last Witch Hunter” casts in a confusing manner. The Last Witch Hunter (2015) Summit Entertainment 1 hr. 46 mins. Starring: Vin Diesel, Elijah Wood, Rose Leslie, Michael Caine, Julie Engelbrecht, Olarfur Darri Olafsson, Rena Owen Directed by: Breck Eisner MPAA Rating: PG-13 Genre: Horror and Fantasy/Supernatural Critic’s rating: * 1/2 stars (out of 4 stars) (c) Frank Ochieng (2015)

Source on TMDB