The Hunters

Brothers Paxton (Robbie Amell) and Tripp Flynn (Keenan Tracey) find their parents (Michelle Forbes, Dan Payne) have gone missing, and they're in a secret society of Hunters who track down legendary artifacts for safe keeping. The brothers and friend Dylan (Alexa Vega) have to track down a secret artifact and save the Flynn parents.

There are some good actors working here including the great Victor Garber. But I'm not sure the material is up to it. While the premise of a secret society is interesting, it's been done better elsewhere. This feels like a TV movie pilot hoping for a series pickup.

I get that they're trying to be a different looking thriller. People with crossbows look silly unless they can explain they're some kind of magical crossbows. The production isn't big enough to get the look right. The action isn't strong enough to be exciting. The CGI is lesser TV level. Everything is just slightly not quite enough.

Well you can't blame the failure of this film to take off on the cast, because they were a capable and experienced cast, even the younger actors. However, they are given absolutely nothing to sink their teeth into. Everything about the flick is just watered down and meandering. If this had been a Disney or Hub flick it would have worked, or even if upgraded to a full blown fantasy flick, it would have worked, but it feels completely like this is a first draft and not a full fleshed film. The script is thin with stick figure characters, clotted with toss off explanations to move the story and beyond cliché plot points (the Asian assassin was almost painful to watch). Everything it had going for it is wasted.Complete and total lack of backstory. It would have been great to know how Tripp's techie skills and Pax's fighting skills had previously reared their heads, it was screaming for some actual examples of the fairytale items in modern times, and someone with a much cleverer wit to punch up the one liners. It seems like the money ran out somewhere, but there was no going back to get a good finished product. The cast did what they could with what they had.

I really liked The Hunters. It was fun and action packed with just a little bit of romance. All the actors and actresses were really great and made the story carry well. The story was interesting with the whole fairytale stories coming into real life situations. The characters weren't even annoying and flowed naturally. However, it isn't perfect. The whole thing with the bad guys carrying crossbows and not guns confused me. I thought it was odd how they wouldn't take any shots at any of them. At least someone should have gotten hit to make the stakes higher. Also there were times when I was confused at how they got out of places, or solved a problem. And lastly, the part where Alexa's character is taken just didn't feel right. I mean she can fight obviously but she acted so helpless with guys who held crossbows. But, I still really liked this movie a lot and I think it deserves more credit.

Cute film for a Made-for-TV movie. Basic premise is a group of Hunters who track down fairy tale artifacts in order to protect them and the world from their powers. Film rated PG, no cursing, no nudity, some fight scenes but no gore or blood... perfect for younger viewers. Read that it aired on Halmark which is a bit odd as it's not their usual romantic fare.

Acting is decent with some familiar faces and a few new ones; though the acting is a little cheesy at times, but then again the script isn't much of a stretch to act with and the story is somewhat formulaic. No real special effect to speak of other than the occasional glowing objects.

The film reminds me of a pilot setup for a possible series; somewhat like 'Warehouse 13' (search for mythic objects) or 'The Librarians' and a bit perhaps with a little 'Once Upon A Time' in future scripts. While the movie was released in 2013, could easily be picked up again now in 2023 with a fresh cast as a series with new story lines.

So, if looking for something a bit mindless or to entertain the kiddos for a Saturday afternoon, 'The Hunters' at 1.5 hrs might just fit.

Other reviews say "Indiana Jones meets the librarian"... and frankly that's an insult to the librarian..

Indiana Jones has cheese in it as its a cheese burger and an essential ingredient in its composition, but this movie "THE HUNTERS" is lacking actors, direction and a decent script. Its trying to be a hamburger and all it has to offer is stale bread.

It feels 'made for television' and the special effects (I wont call it CGI because it looks worse the 1977 Star Wars episode 1.)

Bottom line is don't watch it. Even if you think 'I'd really like to watch an adventure movie' please don't. I'm trying to help you!