Predators

Predators (2010)
Directed by Nimród Antal
Length: 107 minutes
Rated R for strong creature violence and gore, and pervasive language





Another science-fiction film, another disappointment. Understandably, the sci-fi/horror genre has long been known for the campy B-movies, Saturday night Syfy special, adolescent scripts, bad acting, etc. But for every Inception, it seems we get twenty films like Predators - a snoozer of a story, type-cast acting, and a sorry ending that leaves you feeling used and unfulfilled.

Featuring the alien hunters made famous in the Arnold Schwarzenegger 1987 classic Predator, Predators is an attempt to return to what made the original so popular - focusing on a highly skilled group of soldiers being hunted in the jungle by an advanced and efficient killing machine. The film begins with eight strangers awakening to find themselves stranded on a mysterious planet. But something is hunting them, threatening to kill them if they don't work together.

However, instead of featuring an endearing group to root for, we are left with the United Nations squad of type-casting: a Mexican drug enforcer, a Japanese Yakuza, a Russian soldier, an African death squad member, etc. Leading our merry band of misfits? The guy who peaked on his first movie (The Pianist), Adrien Brody (The Experiment, Splice) as Royce, the rugged mercenary who speaks in the Batman voice. Make no mistake, Brody is a talented actor; he just needs a new agent who doesn't pick every shitty sci-fi/horror film in production. Regardless of who the actors are, it ultimately makes no difference. The dialogue consist of the general action movie bravado and low-brow testosterone fodder that plagues so many action films today.

While I found the concept intriguing, the delivery falls flat. How can you have a movie called Predators and not show a single alien until thirty minutes have passed? Additionally, the death scenes are relatively anti-climatic, and the final showdown is predictable and underwhelming. As a fan of the Alien/Predator saga, I was quite excited when I heard Robert Rodriguez, the genius behind Planet Terror (of Grindhouse) and Sin City, was developing a script for a new Predator movie. Unfortunately, any fanboy sentiment was quickly eradicated upon pressing play on my DVD player.

The film is not very good, and honestly I never expected it to be. But it would have been nice to have a decent return to a cherished sci-fi franchise. Unfortunately, it seems that would be asking too much. Cool concepts alone cannot save a film when the more important elements like a decent ending, engaging dialogue, decent acting, etc. are all lacking. Hopefully Ridley Scott's Alien prequel will redeem the franchises. If you are in the mood for a mindless action flick, you could do worse. Just expect to be a stoic zombie for an hour and a half.

Final Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote:
Nothing worth remembering