Last Witch Hunter, The (2/8/2016)

Rated PG-13 for sequences of fantasy violence and frightening images.

Starring Vin Diesel, Rose Leslie, Julie Engelbrecht, Elijah Wood and Michael Caine

Directed by Breck Eisner (The Crazies)

Still not sure how…or why this movie was made.

The modern world holds many secrets, but the most astounding secret of all is that witches still live amongst us; vicious supernatural creatures intent on unleashing the Black Death upon the world. Armies of witch hunters battled the unnatural enemy across the globe for centuries, including Kaulder, a valiant warrior who managed to slay the all-powerful Queen Witch, decimating her followers in the process. In the moments right before her death, the Queen curses Kaulder with her own immortality, forever separating him from his beloved wife and daughter in the afterlife. Today Kaulder is the only one of his kind remaining, and has spent centuries hunting down rogue witches, all the while yearning for his long-lost loved ones. However, unbeknownst to Kaulder, the Queen Witch is resurrected and seeks revenge on her killer causing an epic battle that will determine the survival of the human race.

Ok let’s be honest, most people aren’t going to see The Last Witch Hunter because they are looking for a complex story line, in-depth character development or inspiring dialogue. They are going to see Vin Diesel wreak havoc against some evil witches…and the film delivers in that area. It has some great production design and digital effects…but not much else.

The movie is directed by Breck Eisner and he struggles to get even a hint of emotion or spark of on-screen chemistry between Diesel and his co-star Rose Leslie.

There is a twist ending that will most likely only surprise a few members of the audience…and may even upset more who will feel like they are being threatened by the obligatory squeal.

So if you want to see Vin Diesel wielding a flaming sword and taking out witches, by all means check it out. If you are looking for something…anything…more, I say “Skip It.”

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
There is no sex or nudity, but there is a scene where Vin Diesel is walking backstage to a fashion show and a few women are seen in lingerie. And surprisingly there is one B-word.

The bulk of the reasons for the PG-13 rating are because of the fantasy violence and frightening images. And of course there is a substantial amount of witchcraft throughout the film.

CONVERSATTION STARTER:

1. In one scene, Dolan 36th says, “You’re missing out on the best part of our brief stay in this life, the part where we share it.” What do you think he meant by “brief stay in this life”?


2. How long is the average life span in America? (According to Google, it is 79 years)

Read James 4:14

How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.


3. How should knowing that our life is a “brief stay” effect how we live?