MONSTER HUNT (***)

(2015) In this depiction of ancient China, monsters have taken over the planet and co-exist with humans who stick to their own turf in a tense truce.  That is, until a movement breaks out to destroy all monsters and the pregnant monster queen becomes a target.  Her loyal subjects helping her, the queen tries an escape, and to save her child ends up implanting the baby into the body of a simple village man who - along with a female bounty hunter out for making a buck off the baby - goes on the run, in a fantasy film with both plenty of action and humor.  Monster Hunt has some great moments, and a REALLY cool finale (and quite funny; love the grandma!) of a battle, but overall (with the exception of the baby) I just didn't find the CGI monsters all that engaging, and the film felt a bit long to me.  Overall, yes, the monsters are really cool and/or cute, but if you're looking for some kind of E.T. or WALL-E emotional connection here, it just didn't happen for me.  Definitely worth a watch, though!  (not rated)

MONSTER HUNT trailer