Predators reviewed
The original 1987 Predator, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, was an action sci-fi flick that proved aliens didn’t need to stalk spaceships, and human bases on extra-terrestrial worlds, to be terrifying. In fact, Predator is probably best remembered for its unusual setting for a fairly usual storyline – a squad of elite commandos on a mission in the Guatemalan jungle are picked off one by one by a mysterious but vicious foe: a technologically advanced alien. Although Predator’s reputation has grown over the years, at the time of release it was largely dismissed by critics as yet another brainless, if exciting, ultra-violent, ultra-macho action movie characteristic of ‘80s mainstream cinema.
Twenty three years later, and the Robert Rodriguez-produced sequel Predators hasn’t messed with the original formula too much – in terms of plot, score and general cinematic style. Unfortunately though, Predators is not a particularly satisfying film experience overall. Some elements work; others disappoint, with the end result is an essentially B-grade movie where characters are cardboard cannon fodder, and most of the pleasure comes from dissing the film afterwards with friends. Not unlike Alien vs. Predator in fact.
Predators isn’t without positives however. The basic premise of the film is intriguing enough. As the main characters quickly discover, the combative Predator aliens regularly populate a lush “game preserve” world with the deadliest predators from various planets: essentially the beings at the top of each world’s life chain. The imports from Earth for this hunting season are a mix of highly trained military types, gangsters and criminals.
Although several characters are sadly underutilised, the cast includes a Soviet heavy gunner (Oleg Taktarov), a Yakuza enforcer (Louis Ozawa Changchien), a death row inmate (Walton Goggins), a submachine gun-packing Mexican gangster (Danny Trejo), an African guerrilla rebel (Mahershalalhashbaz Ali), an apparently out of place doctor (Topher Grace), an Israeli Defence Force sniper (Alice Braga) and a cynical mercenary (Adrien Brody).
Of the cast, Brody – best known as an Academy Award-winning character actor – is surprisingly impressive as an intense action hero. Lithe and muscled, with a gravely voice and powerful survival instinct, he’s a badass lead character. If Christian Bale were to ever give up the Caped Crusader’s cinematic cowl, Predators proves that Brody would be an unexpected but nonetheless excellent replacement as “The Goddamn Batman.”
Other pleasant surprises in the cast include Laurence Fishburne playing comically against expectation, and Goggins’ scrappy prisoner, who gets to utter some of the most politically incorrect, and therefore blackly humorous, movie lines of 2010 so far.
The only real letdown in the cast is unfortunately Braga, whose character has to shoulder multiple responsibilities. Not only is she the only woman but she’s also the film’s moral compass, peacemaker and hilariously terrible sniper. It’s a pity that these roles weren’t more evenly spread among the various characters because it unsubtly overloads Braga, preventing her from just getting on with action hero duty like the rest of the boys.
As for the Predators themselves, like the rest of the movie they’re a mix of interesting and mediocre concepts. The filmmakers have introduced the idea that there are various feuding tribes of Predators: the smaller kind seen in other Predator movies, and a much bigger, brutish sub-species. Despite this, neither type of Predator seems as formidable a foe as in the earlier films. They don’t tower over the human cast, they are routinely matched in hand-to-hand combat with humans, and the Predator technology that was a highlight in the franchise’s earlier movies, comics, novels and games – such as laser nets and combi spear sticks – are disappointingly absent for the most part. And ultimately this toning down of the Predators really sucks a sense of exhilarating challenge from film. From the audience's perspective the hunting of the human cast just doesn't feel tense or immersive in any way.
In the end, Predators isn’t without some entertainment value even if it’s largely forgettable. Although it is definitely not a full price R50 viewing experience, if you can watch the film for under R20 it’s still recommended as an amusing way to pass two hours – especially if you’re already a fan of the Predator franchise, or in the mood for some old school, mentally undemanding action. Just keep your expectations low.
Twenty three years later, and the Robert Rodriguez-produced sequel Predators hasn’t messed with the original formula too much – in terms of plot, score and general cinematic style. Unfortunately though, Predators is not a particularly satisfying film experience overall. Some elements work; others disappoint, with the end result is an essentially B-grade movie where characters are cardboard cannon fodder, and most of the pleasure comes from dissing the film afterwards with friends. Not unlike Alien vs. Predator in fact.
Predators isn’t without positives however. The basic premise of the film is intriguing enough. As the main characters quickly discover, the combative Predator aliens regularly populate a lush “game preserve” world with the deadliest predators from various planets: essentially the beings at the top of each world’s life chain. The imports from Earth for this hunting season are a mix of highly trained military types, gangsters and criminals.
Although several characters are sadly underutilised, the cast includes a Soviet heavy gunner (Oleg Taktarov), a Yakuza enforcer (Louis Ozawa Changchien), a death row inmate (Walton Goggins), a submachine gun-packing Mexican gangster (Danny Trejo), an African guerrilla rebel (Mahershalalhashbaz Ali), an apparently out of place doctor (Topher Grace), an Israeli Defence Force sniper (Alice Braga) and a cynical mercenary (Adrien Brody).
Of the cast, Brody – best known as an Academy Award-winning character actor – is surprisingly impressive as an intense action hero. Lithe and muscled, with a gravely voice and powerful survival instinct, he’s a badass lead character. If Christian Bale were to ever give up the Caped Crusader’s cinematic cowl, Predators proves that Brody would be an unexpected but nonetheless excellent replacement as “The Goddamn Batman.”
Other pleasant surprises in the cast include Laurence Fishburne playing comically against expectation, and Goggins’ scrappy prisoner, who gets to utter some of the most politically incorrect, and therefore blackly humorous, movie lines of 2010 so far.
The only real letdown in the cast is unfortunately Braga, whose character has to shoulder multiple responsibilities. Not only is she the only woman but she’s also the film’s moral compass, peacemaker and hilariously terrible sniper. It’s a pity that these roles weren’t more evenly spread among the various characters because it unsubtly overloads Braga, preventing her from just getting on with action hero duty like the rest of the boys.
As for the Predators themselves, like the rest of the movie they’re a mix of interesting and mediocre concepts. The filmmakers have introduced the idea that there are various feuding tribes of Predators: the smaller kind seen in other Predator movies, and a much bigger, brutish sub-species. Despite this, neither type of Predator seems as formidable a foe as in the earlier films. They don’t tower over the human cast, they are routinely matched in hand-to-hand combat with humans, and the Predator technology that was a highlight in the franchise’s earlier movies, comics, novels and games – such as laser nets and combi spear sticks – are disappointingly absent for the most part. And ultimately this toning down of the Predators really sucks a sense of exhilarating challenge from film. From the audience's perspective the hunting of the human cast just doesn't feel tense or immersive in any way.
In the end, Predators isn’t without some entertainment value even if it’s largely forgettable. Although it is definitely not a full price R50 viewing experience, if you can watch the film for under R20 it’s still recommended as an amusing way to pass two hours – especially if you’re already a fan of the Predator franchise, or in the mood for some old school, mentally undemanding action. Just keep your expectations low.
Comments
Hey Terrance, I would have preferred some trimming as well, but at the beginning of the film instead of the end. It seemed like it took forever for the characters to realise what was going on, and for the Predators to appear. Then again, I suppose I just felt so impatient because I knew what was going on already from the trailers and plot synopsis. People watching the film "fresh" probably wouldn't have the same problem.