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“I don't know how much movies should entertain. To me I'm always interested in movies that scar. The thing I love about Jaws is the fact that I've never gone swimming in the ocean again.” --- David Fincher ::::::::::::: MY CRITERIA FOR DISCUSSION ENCOMPASSES THE HORROR GENRE AND BEYOND, SO I USE THE TERM "NIGHTMARE MOVIES". SPOILERS CAN OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT WARNING. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Predators

July 6th 2010 00:37
Predators movie poster
Had the Robert Rodriguez not been attached to this movie I would have been rather skeptical about its chances of being remotely good, especially considering the sf-brew atrocities of Alien Vs. Predator (2004) and its sequel AVP - Requiem (2007), of which I don’t have anything good to say. In fact that whole combo crap really cheesed me off, and I was never much of a fan of the Danny Glover sequel, Predator 2 (1990), either (although I’m aware it has its dedicated followers). I’m a purist for the most part and thankfully Rodriguez made the executive decision for the premise of Predators (2010) to ignore all the sequels (including all video game narratives).
Predators Adrien Brody and Alice Braga
Adrien Brody as Royce and Alice Braga as Isabelle
Predators is essentially a re-boot (slight military pun intended) of the original movie, but with the ante upped; highly-trained soldiers (with a couple of exceptions) in the thick of a jungle are forced to defend themselves against the merciless hunting tactics of a several alien humanoid predators. So the main difference is that rather than Earth, the humans have been rendered unconscious, abducted and literally thrown out of an airborne craft with a parachute and weapon, where they awake during freefall.
Predators humans
The humans make a gruesome discovery
Predators victim
The terra firma they land on is not Earth, but rather a lush jungle planet being used specifically as a game reserve for the entertainment of its hosts: the Yatuja (according to AVP, but I’m not supposed to reference that movie), the Predators. However the title is a double entendre, as it also refers to the humans, each of whom is a skilled killer in one way or another. There are two types of Predator, the “classic” Predator, the kind that stalked Arnie and crew in the original movie, and the super black Predator, a bigger, meaner, dominant breed that even hunts their own kind (the “classic”).
Predators camp
Amidst the ritualistic carnage of the Predators camp
Adrien Brody is Royce (but nameless for most of the movie), a tough, take no prisoners mercenary. Shortly after hitting the ground he’s joined by Nikolai (Oleg Taktarov), Cuchillo (Danny Trejo), Isabelle (Alice Braga) and Mombassa (Mahershalalhashbaz Ali). Further along they find Edwin (Topher Grace), and Hanzo (Louis Ozawa Changchein). They’re all strangers to each other, suspicious, but realise they have strength in numbers, especially when they encounter the vicious hunting “dogs”.
Predators classic Predator
Still one mean and ugly son-of-a-bitch
Predators Danny Trejo
Cuchillo (Danny Trejo) comes a cropper early on
Director Nimród (pronounced Neemrode) Antal, is Hungarian, but born and raised in California. He moved to Hungary to study film and made his debut feature, Kontrol (2003), a strange mix of black humour, dark phantasy, and oddball romance. He’d cut his teeth on commercials and music clips, so his fast-paced visual story-telling aided him immensely. Upon return to the States he made the psycho-thriller Vacancy (2007), starring Kate Beckinsale and Luke Wilson, which I rather enjoyed. His attention to detail and the ability to illicit solid performances amidst mayhem have enabled him to deliver a worthy sequel-cum-reboot that stands alone - although Isabelle does refer to a covered-up military jungle incident from 1987.
Predator Louis Ozawa Changchein
Hanzo (Louise Ozawa Changchein) decides to duel
The slam-bam opening sequence and title credit sets a neat Rodriguez-esque tone for the rest of the movie. Predators is moody and nightmarish, with excellent production design (the giant Predator mining drill and the Predator camp are stand-outs), and solid action sequences. It’s a violent flick, but nothing that graphic (a couple of beheadings, an impalement, and a delicious de-spining add flavour). The characters are strongly etched with Brody delivering a surprisingly convincing tough guy (buffed to the extreme as is revealed), but Braga commanding the performances. Laurence Fishburne, however, makes a welcome appearance as a survivalist commando living on his own hushed terms.
Predators Predator vs Predator
It's Predator vs Predator time!
There’s a terrifically nihilistic edge to this movie, and I was almost expecting a no win situation, but one has to take into account the climate for these kinds of movies; the ending is left wide-open for the sequel. It’s not a cop-out however, this brisk and compelling survival mission is entertaining without being hokey and packs punch in the right places. It’s suitably grotesque and intimidating, but you feel just enough empathy with the humans, despite their ruthless edge (okay, so there are a couple of wild cards). Predators is supersize popcorn with bite and some serious fire-power.
Predators Black Super Predator
Black Super Predator


Here’s the trailer:


And here is an utterly hilarious fan-made trailer with “Arnie” providing running-commentary (I had to include it I couldn’t help myself):

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Posted By: Bryn - Category: movie reviews
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13 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by Matt Shea

July 6th 2010 00:59


20/20 Filmsight
Walton Goggins!

Comment by Matt Shea

July 6th 2010 01:04


20/20 Filmsight
Seriously, though: I've heard good things about this so far, and a Bryn thumbs-up will probably push me over the line. A complete wiping of the sequels and video games was always going to be the way.

As for P2: for me, it's just a typical sequel. Fine, but everything it does was done better in the first film.

And you're telling me the Predator Arnie killed was just a run-of-the-mill version?! I feel deflated...

Comment by Bryn

July 6th 2010 01:31


Horrorphile
Walter Goggins? You've stumped me there Matt ...
Yeah, the Super Black Predator is one to be reckoned with. A truly nasty piece of work.

Comment by ShaunK

July 6th 2010 06:22


Screen Adventure
Walter Goggins indeed - an actor from the film and an actor form another dreaded remake coming up.....dare I say it.....straw dogs.....sigh........ just kill me. they should just go and repaint the mona lisa and maybe redo the eifel tower and opera house too while they're at it.

I forgot to ask you what this was like Bryn.....I'll have to see it now.

Comment by Anonymous

July 6th 2010 06:25
I can't wait to see this one.

Comment by David O'Connell

July 6th 2010 06:31


Screen Fanatic
It is indeed a lot of fun Bryn, even with a couple of lame elements down the stretch. Doesn't really try to be anything other than wholsesome B-grade entertainment - rightly so of course - and I'm sure most hardcore fans of the original will come away with smiles on their faces. Brody definitely helps the cause a lot I think.

Comment by David O'Connell

July 6th 2010 06:33


Screen Fanatic
If you've ever loved The Shield (and I'm guessing Matt has too?) then you'll rightly be excited to see Mr. W.Goggins in the cast!!

Comment by JohnDoe

July 6th 2010 22:53


Film & TV on DVD
Well tickle me surprised at yours and David's championing of this film.

I had already relegated it into the don't bother basket. Now, i will have too see it out of curiosity.

Comment by Bryn

July 6th 2010 23:43


Horrorphile
Doh! Walter Goggins must be the convict! I forgot to include his name, how terrible of me!

Comment by Royale

July 7th 2010 06:45
okay you guys seem to like it so Ill give it a chance but im dubious,,,the second and third both sucked

Comment by Mountain Fog

July 7th 2010 12:55
good write up Bryn,
but Adrien Brody a 'tuff GI guy'!!!???!!!

I will take your word for it, but had I read that anywhere else, I would have thought this is going to look silly!

cheers

fog


Comment by Bryn

July 7th 2010 22:55


Horrorphile
Royale, yes, the 2nd was a disappointment, and the less said about the 3rd and 4th movies the better.

Fog, it entertains the way a solid violent sf-action flick should.

Comment by Matt Shea

July 9th 2010 00:17


20/20 Filmsight
Oh yeah, I'm all about the Goggins - he's awesome in The Shield - a show that has become a little underrated in the modern renaissance of television.

Straw dogs remake, Shaun?! Sigh...

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