In 1987, John McTiernan directed Predator, which has to be one of the greatest action, as well as, science fiction films of all time. It began purely as an Arnold Schwarzeneggar action vehicle, but what grew from it was not only great action, characters and suspence, but also one of the most iconic movie monsters of all time, the heavily armed, dreaklocked, pussy-faced badass hunter, the Predator.
What also grew from it was a series of unsuccessful followups, including Stephen Hopkin’s high concept sequel taking Predator to the urban jungle to battle Danny Glover (at the height of his Lethal Weapon fame) in 1990’s average Predator 2. But this film has grown forgivable, and actually entertaining with time, what wasnt was the next two films, monster-mashing the Predator with another iconic movie monster, the Xenomorph from the Alien series. Despite the success of the joining of franchises in comic and video games, the films: Paul WS Anderson’s 2004 film Alien Vs. Predator and the Strausse Brother’s 2007 sequel - Aliens Vs. Predator Requiem, are indeed awful beyond belief, effectively murdering two franchises brutally and pissing off fanboys worldwide, a complete travesty.
In 2010 however, writer/director/editor/producer/friend of Quentin Tarantino, Robert Rodrieguez, the man behind such badass films as the El Mariachi Trilogy, From Dusk Til Dawn and Sin City as well as childfriendly fare which can be ignored (that means you Spy Kids and Shark Boy and Lava Girl!), has managed with the aid of his production company - Troublemaker Studios, to ressurect this cinematic monster in an attempt to return it to its former glory, in its own movie. What was created was Predators, while not directed by Rodrieguez himself, giving the job to little known director Nimrod Antal, he does produce and use a screenplay he wrote all the way back in 1994, and now has been dusted off with the help of some other writers and has finally reached the screen.
The film forgets the monstermashes of the past, and continues as the third sequel in the Predator series, moving the film back into jungle territory as a series of strangers, most of army background, find themselves parachuted into a strange jungle. Reluctantly led by Adrien Brody’s Royce, these people discover that they are indeed in a hell, one where they are ruthlessly hunted by the Predators.
As ardent fans of the original film, Rodriguez and Antal wanted to return the film to the atmosphere of the first film, to learn from what was right about Predator and what was wrong with Predator 2, as well as give the Predator series their own equivilant to James Camerons masterpiece Aliens. But do they succeed? Not entirely.
There is alot of work to be done in order to make a film on par with classics such as Predator. While the plot effectively lends itself for good sequel material, despite its close similarity to the 1997 Vincenzo Natali film Cube, and unlike Cube, it fails to deliver in its potential, making it immediately lesser in quality. The charm of the first film was within its strongly likeable characters, who are developed in next to no time (the chopper scene manages to do almost all it) and cast perfectly, its ability to create memorable dialogue (“stick around” “i ain’t got time to bleed” “get to the chopper”), effective pacing, memorable action sequences, gory demises and climax.
In Predators, it is difficult to get attached to the characters, possibly due to them all being criminals of sorts, or mostly glum, or maybe due to character depth not effectively covered (yes i am refering to character depth in an action film, but you still need to care more). The beginning of the film up until the first attack actually works quite well in the building of tension, reminding viewers of the excellent buildup established in the original film, but is however floundered once the attacks begin. The demises of the characters fail to be that effective, in both impact and gore factor, the original film every death was unique and insanely entertaining (especially Dillon’s epic one armed shanking).
Something that has plagued the franchise (albiet any famous monster franchise) is making your creature scary, and what made the Predator so effective in the first film is its lack of visibility for most of the film. In Predators there was a chance that there would be greater buildup on its visibility, but is eventually squandered, purely due to the need to show these iconic creatures, which is very understandable, but the victim is scares and suspence. I think if Rodrieguez directed, some of these issues would have been resolved, we will never know.
There is also a host of instances that reference the first film, one which is too close for comfort, sometimes boarding on purely copying. Sure, its great to see Ol’ Painless, the minigun in action again, thats fine, but referencing the events in the first film out of the blue, and using it as spoilers to help them defeat the Predators is a cop out. All these references remind you purely how much better the first film was. Predators also introduces a host of new material to the Predator mythology, adding to the comphensive process of hunting, the idea of the game perserve, as well as certain new technology, its all quite cool.
What isn’t so cool is the CGI Pred-dogs, so not needed, as well as the flying Predator vision…thing, i wouldve rathered the Predator doing its own work, going out watching his prey more, which has to be mentioned there is a great lack of Predator-vision, and while i am at it, hanging corpses. It is disappointing too to see classic Predator being so overshadowed and underused by the other Predators, ones that have been suped up and altered from the classic design, not nearly as effective.
The casting of the film seem promising, taking inspiration from the first film, a host of nobodies headed by one established star aided by one or two semi-known actors. Adrien Brody seemed to be inspired casting, rather than try and match size and muscularity of Arnold Schwarzeneggar’s Dutch, opt for someone who fits more into a realistic soldier mold, but with his mean expression, and Christian Bale grunt, Brody is not entirely that successful leading the cast, lacking spectacle and presence.
The rest of the cast seem to be fit into various characters from the original film, albiet slightly switched with character traits - Alicia Braga, the Israeli sniper Isabelle is purely a more active Anna, Oleg Taktarov, the Russian solider Nikolai, fills the presence of Blain and Walton Goggins’ rapist Stans takes his personality (which proves to be one of the more entertaining characters). Mahershalahashbaz Ali’s African, Mombassa is a poor mans Mac, Louis Ozawa Changchien’s Hanzo the Yakuza fills the soulful badass that was the Native American Billy in the original, which is too close for comfort (his predictable confrontation is very much a remake of the original) and Topher Grace plays a rift off the wimpy Hawkins in the original as Edwin the doctor, and is used somewhat effectively against his character type, but by the end fizzles. It is good however to see Danny Trejo, as Cuchillo, pretty much a cliched Mexican, as underused as he is.
Laurence Fishburne’s cameo as Noland makes for an interesting plot development as well, and not only give the story a nice element, but is quite entertaining, purely from the strength of the character and his insanity. Its fun to watch him talk to his “friends”.
The soundtrack is effectively covered by John Debney, who brings Alan Silvestri’s iconic score back to life and effectively give the film the right mood. In terms of sound, i must mention my disappointment the lack of signature Predator noises save for the iconic Predator purr, the laser noises? the growls? am i being too nitpicky here? Maybe, but they seem joined to the creature and their absence took away from the magic.
In all, Predators is not NEARLY as horrid as the Alien Vs. Predator films, but no where near the greatness of Predator, but feels more Predator than Predator 2. There is still enjoyment to be had with the film, with particular sequences such as the opening buildup, the human trap, the Noland encounter etc. It is gory, and there are explosions and really pretty much all the boxes are ticked, but not every aspect is done to its full potential, and it is something the franchise could address in possible followup films. And while no Predator film can truly match the quality of John McTiernan’s masterpiece of action/sci-fi, filmmakers should learn from afar and rely less on its actual content, and create a truly awesome film, like James Cameron did with Aliens. Predators gives the creatures life again, but only halfway in quality.
2.5/5
