The Hunters

From the very opening, this had TV written all over it.

The locations imply that production values were good, but the actors, outfits, make-up, etc., all said that there was a second-rate production team behind it (nobody seemed to sweat or get dirty hiking through jungles, for instance, and these little details really take a viewer out of a tale on a subconscious level).

As for the plot: well, it's a very TV-series-pilot affair, with villains who shoot their own henchmen in the backs for no apparent reason (and with crossbows(!) that I imagine were hidden away inside a bra) and action that is neither gritty nor pops off the screen as impressive - actually, think of the kind of bland fights from Xena and just know that they were better...

I suppose that really, this film was aimed at children/young teenagers, so I wasn't the target audience, but from an adult's point of view, there's nothing new and what there is has been done better a hundred+ times already.

this is fun to watch if you like adventure movies like "The librarian" and "Indiana Jones", the acting is terrible but it is entertaining nonetheless.

I recommend watching "The librarian" instead but if there is nothing else to watch on your play list go ahead and give it a go.

like i said before, the acting is terrible and the writing poor. The choice of weapons by the villains is also questionable, Crossbows? and why does Interpol have a terrible German accent? The children are written extremely poor and snobby.

On to another review Stefan

Wow people are incredibly critical for what was a TV movie. It was a good movie. It might not have been the best I've ever seen. But it was solid enough.

It had good actors. The plot and character development could have been more, but you can't expect perfection from a TV movie.

It had suspense with a certain amount of surprise. Decent direction, good special effects.

The movie ended with me wanting more.

To all the people saying the story has been done before.... sure there's similarities. Once Upon a Time, Indiana Jones, The Liberians, Warehouse 13, etc. But most stories have been done before and redone into something else. This story was original enough that it was boring.

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!

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.