Milla Jovovich and Tony Jaa star in a scene from the movie "Monster Hunter." The Catholic News Service classification is A-III -- adults. (CNS/Coco Van Oppens, Constantin Film)

By Catholic News Service

In adapting the eponymous video game, writer-director Paul W. S. Anderson has constructed a film made up almost entirely of action sequences untrammeled by exposition.

Together with the squadron under her command, an Army Ranger (genre veteran Milla Jovovich) has fallen through a portal from Earth into a world teeming with hostile monsters. The creatures in question, who range in form from quasi-dinosaurs to giant spiders, dispatch the officer’s comrades early on, leaving her to struggle back to the gateway with only a local warrior (Tony Jaa) as an ally. Fortunately, he’s a dab hand with giant knives.

Given that our heroine prefers to deploy artillery, enthusiasts of loud, mindless fun will find themselves sated by a nearly unbroken succession of kinetic, explosive showdowns. Others may be left dazed, confused and yearning for Excedrin.

Intense combat violence with some gore, a single profanity. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Click here for full reviews of this and other current movies by Catholic News Service.