Predators Reviews

Similar to Sylvester Stallone's glorious resurrection of the Rambo franchise, 2010's Predators is a sequel that eschews post-modernist filmmaking in favour of a back-to-basics, '80s-style approach. As a result, this Robert Rodriguez-produced exhumation of the Predator series is a solid, highly satisfying action picture and a worthy sequel to 1987's Predator, surpassing the weak Predator 2 and the even weaker Alien vs. Predator movies. Chief among the strengths of Predators is that it returns the franchise to its natural habitat, with the film observing an anxious group within a jungle setting who gradually come to grips with the alien hunters stalking the area. Predators also carries a unique spin: the titular monsters are not only stalking humans but aliens from other planets as well.

As the film opens, it cleverly places us in the same bewildered mindset as the eight humans who wake up to find themselves falling through the sky equipped with a parachute but without an explanation as to what's going on. Amid the soldiers and criminals from around the world, a tentative leader emerges in Royce (Adrian Brody). Among the group is a sniper (Alice Braga), a Russian (Oleg Taktarov), a civilian doctor (Topher Grace), a member of the Yakuza (Louis Ozawa Changchien), a Mexican (Danny Trejo) and a condemned murderer (Walton Goggins). Studying their surroundings, Royce surmises that the squad have been dropped on a game reserve planet and are the intended targets for a mysterious pack of alien creatures who hunt for sport. As the group navigates through treacherous terrain, they deal with trust and leadership issues, and Royce struggles to find a way to defeat the unseen foes and escape the deadly planet.

The straightforward narrative unfolds at a sturdy pace, with no location or scene outstaying their welcome. Predators excels because of the decision to pitch it as a horror/thriller first and an action picture second, much like the original Predator (and unlike the follow-ups). Hence, the film is not in a hurry to introduce a Predator-centric action scene - instead, the movie spends adequate time developing the brutes, observing them as they apprehensively bond and search for a way to gain the upper hand. Writers Michael Finch and Alex Litvak (working from a screenplay that Rodriguez wrote in the early 1990s) clearly understand that less is more, as the lack of Predator appearances throughout the film's first half is essential for building requisite tension. Unfortunately, there is a lack of machismo and tough guy one-liners (the original Predator is legendary for its one-liners), and the third act is noticeably formulaic. Several cringe-worthy moments impact the experience, including a betrayal that is poorly motivated and inadequately explained. And what of the new Predator designs, I hear you think? It's hard to distinguish the Berserkers from the Classics, to be honest.

Working with a respectable $40 million budget, director Nimród Antal (Vacancy, Armoured) knows how to stage an action set piece. At times, the use of shaky cam and rapid-fire editing is distracting, but for the most part, the action is exciting and satisfying. Thankfully, the Predators come to life through old-fashioned rubber body suits and practical creature effects whenever possible. The gore also appears to be practical, with old-school blood squibs instead of phoney digital bloodshed. Wisely, Antal uses CGI sparingly and only when necessary. In addition, the script brilliantly expands the Predator mythology, as one character explains that the creatures hunt for sport to learn and improve their tactics. This begs the question (that further instalments might address): why are the Predators attempting to emerge as a superior race? Are they planning an invasion of another planet? It is also worth noting that Predators pays homage to the original Predator through music cues (it feels as if the film simply re-uses Alan Silvestri's original score at times) and a few set pieces (most notably the final showdown). Shit, characters even discuss the events of the original film, and the end credits feature Little Richard's Long Tall Sally, a song from the legendary helicopter scene in the original.

Good acting is a rarity in the realm of action cinema, but Predators actually benefits from sturdy performances across the board. Although the actors lack the sheer manliness and testosterone of the original Predator cast, every actor is nonetheless credible in their respective roles. Brody imbues his role of Royce with menace and intensity, and the actor evidently spent many hours in the gym to build muscle for the role. Against all odds, the Oscar-winning performer is an excellent action hero. The only drawback is that Brody lacks Arnie's memorable presence. Perhaps a larger, bulkier actor could have done this role more justice. (Maybe they should've waited for Arnold Schwarzenegger to finish his term as Governor, and hired him instead.) Alongside Brody is an array of strong performers, such as Danny Trejo, Topher Grace and Oleg Taktarov, all of whom confidently hit their marks. Alice Braga is engaging and credible as Isabelle, while Laurence Fishburne also pops up briefly with a memorable cameo that recalls Marlon Brando in Apocalypse Now.

Fans of the original Predator should find 2010's Predators more than satisfying after the bad taste left by other instalments. Rodriguez, Antal and the writers know what made the original film such a great ride and work to reproduce a similar brand of visceral thrills. Let's be honest: you want to see a Predator movie for bone-crunching battles and violence, and Predators delivers in this respect. Despite its flaws, this is solid summertime entertainment.

7.6/10