As far as comic book garbage goes, you can do a lot worse than “Kraven the Hunter,” a confused and derivative but passable R-rated superhero adventure that is the latest installment in the beleaguered series of “Spider-Man” spinoff films represents.

“Spider-Man” is nowhere to be found here; his corporate lawyers won’t allow him to go near the building. But in his place we have some of his friends and enemies, brought to life by a cast that includes two Oscar winners and a handful of above-average actors who help make “Kraven” more entertaining than you. What I would expect from the universe responsible for Morbius, Madame Web and the horrific Venom series. Lower those expectations and you might be satisfied.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson plays the titular Kraven and Sergei Kravinoff, when he’s not quite so cryptic in his introductions. He is the world’s greatest hunter, aided by a mysterious potion he received as a child after a near-fatal lion attack. (Or a fatal lion attack, so to speak; young Sergei was dead for about three minutes before being revived.)