The tagline to 'Predators' is 'fear is reborn'. Rather apt on the audiences part, as it seems that despite the first entry to the saga back in 1987, Fox has been churning out films starring the mandibled, Rastafarian, space-psycho ever since, with each one hugely lowering in quality from the last. It is a saga that never got going. This can also be applied to the (admittedly more successful) saga that 'Predator' shares most in common with: 'Alien'. In owning two of the best movie monsters from recent years, Fox seem so intent on screwing up their legacy as to wondering how those original films ever even turned out to be as good as they were in the first place. Including the excretable 'Alien Vs. Predator' films, these entries have at least 3 classics between them ('Alien', 'Aliens' and 'Predator'). In 3 sagas which altogether includes 9 films over the course of 4 decades shows Fox really has lost what made those films so special in the first place. However, with the news in mid 2009, that Robert Rodriquez had shown interest in reviving the 'Predator' franchise and giving the first one a sequel it deserved show that Fox may be waking up. This coupled with recent news that Ridley Scott is to direct (with an idea/script from James Cameron?) an 'Alien' prequel, show that Fox may have finally decided to stop squandering these monsters, and put them to use in films worthy of their forebears. However, talk about the 'Alien' franchise is for another day, as first out of the cage is Rodriquez's effort. Alluding itself with James Camerons classic sequel title, by adding an 's', immediately shows Rodriquez's intentions. This is a saga to be treated with respect. The respect it owes to both the original 1987 effort, and its many fans, that have sat through too many poor treatments of their monster to finally give up hope. Rodriquez claims he is the man that could save it.
First things first, it should be noted, that the original 'Predator' is by no means a stone cold masterpiece in certainly not the same way the first two 'Alien' films are. While on many levels an extremely tense and exciting ride, it also features some horrid lines of dialogue and some questionable levels of male flesh (pun intended) on show, even in a place as hot as the South American jungle. From the start these films were quite trashy and forgettable. What elevated the original was the design of the Predator, (now a classic monster in my mind) and the set pieces; particularly Arnies heroic last stand against the creature. In the 80's, Arnold Schwarzenegger had killed and destroyed all that there was to. Nothing could stand in his way and no one could stand up to even coming close to defeating him. That this is partly why the film works, is one of the main reasons all the sequels haven't; until the Predator came along, we all believed Arnie could never be defeated. But here was a more than formidible foe, which bested Arnie and his team on almost every level, and almost destroyed them all easily. This is one of the main reasons the first is as successful as it is. The second one may not be as bad as we all seem to remember, however two major mistakes it made was casting a portly Danny Glover in the lead and focusing far too much time on the monster itself (we have never actually been given a name for the creature in any of the films). This took away from the group dynamic of the first, and the tension of not knowing what our heroes were up against. That the sequel was by no means as big a hit as the first meant the franchise was stalled. Fox obviously had no idea what to do with it. Thank God then, that Rodriquez did.
Originally written in 1994, the script was only recently dusted off from the inner vaults in the Fox studios which got everyone remembering how great the Predator was and still is, as a movie monster. So Rodriquez polished off the script and hired the unfortunatley named Nimrod Antal to direct. Fans were cautiously optimistic. It is a relief then after all that, to announce that 'Predators', while by no means approaching the excitement on the first is a step in the right direction. The fact that it is the second best film in the series, (though from its prequels that may have been not that hard to do), does show that Fox are headed in the right direction. Indeed, Rodriquez and Antal have fashioned a very entertaining nights fodder down the mutiplex, one that pays respect to the original, while also being unique and original in itself to be a stand alone entry in the series. So a series that was becoming quite a laughing stock, is brought back from the brink, and not in the nick of time. But is it enough to sustain its running time and lift it above the many other mediocre efforts of the Summer thus far? The answer unfortunately is 'almost'.
The films main selling point is that it is set on a different planet from ours. In getting back to the team-based dynamic of the first, we follow a group of Planet Earths best cold blooded killers, each plucked randomly it would appear, as they struggle to comprehend what is going on around them. Indeed the films title could also apply to our main characters; back home, they themselves are all predators. So in order to survive, our team is going to have to learn to work together. Of course this is all before any appearance of three-pronged laser sights appear aiming at anyone. Chief among them is Adrien Brodys 'Royce' as the hesitant leader of the group. Antal and Rodriquez wisely spend time with the characters so we can identify each one, and get some nice character detail before the havoc ensues. Included, we have a member of the Japanese Yakuza, a member of a Mexican drug cartel, Russian militia, an American death-row prisoner and a South American sharp shooter. As broad as their backgrounds are, it also unfortunately also stems to the characterisations themselves. It isn't long before Brody realises that they are being hunted, and are on a game preserve, albeit one covering the entire planet. The Predators it would seem, drag their prey here, in order to hunt and become more efficient killers. Carnage ensues. Relatively straight forward, as any 'Predator' movie should be, this wisely focuses on characters before the creatures show up bringing back a sense of tension missing from every entry into the series since.
The film has a few more tricks up its sleeve along the way and keeps the viewer engaged for most of its running time. However, one of its main problems, ironically lies in its direction. Scenes of action are sometimes clunkily handled and while Antal is a million miles ahead of any of the directors of the 'Alien Vs. Predator' movies, you can't help but wish Rodriquez had stayed in the directors chair on this. Another problem lies in its script itself. Throughout its running time, the film shows flickers of originality and welcome bouts of humour. Unfortunately, these moments are too few and as the film goes on, it grows less exciting. What is good is the cast. Brody here easily proves himself as a tough guy, spouting some pretty bad-ass lines of dialogue; any doubts about whether or not the skinny dude from 'The Pianist' can hold an action role convincingly, will be fully put to rest, come the films climax. He is ably supported by everyone from a scene stealing Walter Goggins as a shank wielding inmate, to a nice cameo from Laurence Fishburne which unfortunately, is over all too soon. Topher Grace shines as a Doctor with a secret and Alice Braga keeps up the 'Predator' tradition, of having a South American woman, who knows more about the alien creatures than anyone else does.
One of the biggest successes of the film is actually making the Predators threatening again. After the cartoonish depiction of them in previous films, we have finally got back to the root of what made these guys so memorable in the first place. For seeing, appreciating and mainly remembering the potential the Predators have, Rodriquez should be thanked. That it never fully hits the heights of the first one is regrettable, but a sure sign that they are back on track, and that the inevitable sequel, will put rights to that.
Verdict: 61%
Robert Rodriquez reboots the stalled franchise just about. Set pieces never quite deliver the intensity they deserve and it slightly runs out of steam towards the end. But for an entertaining night of B-Movie monster entertainment, which is all the franchise ever set out to be, you will not be dissappointed. Oh, and that ace shot of Brody covered in lasers from the trailer? Sorry to disappoint you, but is sorely absent from the final film.
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