Movie Review: The Last Witch Hunter

"Do you know what it’s like to live forever?" With that tantalizing inquiry, Vin Diesel introduces us to his latest character, the immortal Kaulder. Though audiences later this year will get to know him as The Last Witch Hunter.
This is the first official trailer for Breck Eisner’s The Last Witch Hunter, which Lionsgate dropped on its YouTube page. It features a bit of exposition by the iconic Michael Caine, which means Michael Caine is in a Vin Diesel movie. What, you need MORE reasons than that to go see this? For shame.


OK, here’s what else we know. Kaulder’s immortality has made him the greatest soldier in a centuries-spanning war between humanity and the underworld. The Witch Hunter is ready to embark on a new journey, and he’s bringing a new trainer along for the ride, this one played by Elijah Wood. The quick snippet included in this first trailer suggests that the two could have great comedic chemistry in the face of some bizarre, dangerous supernatural aspects, and I’m really hoping that we get to see more of that dup in the final Witch Hunter film.

That being said, the second half of the trailer really does pick up speed and get interesting when Diesel enters a dream-driven landscape. If he dies in there, we are told, he will die in "real" life. (So much for that immortality, Vin.) And it’s in that phase where the emotional core of the movie – Kaulder’s relationship with his late wife and child – threaten to prevent the Last Witch Hunter from completing his mission. And that would be very bad for planet Earth.

Vin Diesel hasn’t had as much luck outside of the Fast & Furious franchise in developing new characters. While he was able to make two additional Riddick movies after Pitch Black, the movies haven’t exactly been massive hits. The Last Witch Hunter suggests that Diesel might have life outside of the muscles cars of the Fast world. Heck, he’s already talking up a planned sequel to this film!

But first, The Last Witch Hunter has to find an audience. The movie co-stars Wood, Caine, Rosie Leslie and Rena Owen, and is directed by Breck Eisner (Sahara, The Crazies). It will open in theaters on October 23. Do you think you will check it out?