This week left me with the choice between Despicable Me and Predators. I opted for the sci-fi movie-fun-time Predators. This is not a great movie; don’t expect it to change your life. If you like the first Predator, you’re probably going to like this. If you like either AVP, I can’t help you and thankfully Predators claims ignorance to those releases.
Let’s start with the production info. Directed by Nimród Antal of Vacancy and Armored “fameâ€, this sequel was produced by Robert “Desperado†Rodriguez and stars Adrien Brody – The Village, King Kong and most recently, Splice; Topher Grace – Spiderman 3; Alice Braga – City of God and I Am Legend. Also seen in are Danny “Machete†Trejo, and Lawrence Fishburn of Lawrence Fishburn fame.
The movie wastes no time getting to the excitement. The first shot finds our hero waking up only to notice that he is in a free fall. Just about the time the audience begins to think that they may be watching an incredibly short performance by Adrien Brody, a parachute is deployed by an electronic device.
Once on the ground, we meet the remainder of the cast. The military trained Isabelle (Alice Braga), the stereotypical Russian (Former UFC champ, Oleg Taktarov), a cartel enforcer named Cuchillo (Danny Trejo), Mombasa, a member of a Sierra Leone Death Squad (Mahershalalhashbaz Ali), Stans, one of the FBI’s most wanted (Walton Goggins), a Yakuza named Hanzo (Louis Ozawa Changchien), and finally a doctor named Edwin (Topher Grace).
Brody falls into his role as de facto leader and is surprisingly believable, if you allow it. Taktarov, Trejo and Ali add to the testosterone factor.
There’s not a lot to say about the plot of this film. If one were to sum up any Predator film, this one would follow the same logical path. One problem I had with the film is that it appears to be an ensemble piece, but several members of the group have very little screen time. If you really compare this to the original Predator, also an ensemble piece, I just felt that Carl Weathers, Bill Duke, Jesse Ventura and Sonny Landham added more to the dynamic than the group in this current cast.
Predators is not a film that claims to be something it’s not. It is a sci-fi action movie. All of the elements combine to make this an enjoyable film. Sure, some of the effects miss (see the waterfall scene), but if you just allow the movie to be what it was meant to be, you can give it a pass for plot holes and a bad CG shot or two.
Watch it for: Cool weapons, crazy action, a few decent one-liners, great additions to the Predator mythos and…who doesn’t love Danny Trejo?
Don’t watch it for: Oscar worthy acting (although, it’s not horrible), completely original storyline, Lawrence Fishburn alone or storyline that stands up to your disbelief.
Anyone that checks this one out will already know why they went. It’s an action driven film, not a plot or dialogue driven film. It doesn’t take itself too seriously and even references the first film. Predators is mindless summer fun at its best. I can leave my disbelief at the ticket booth for a film that doesn’t make too much of itself.
How much would I pay to see this one again? Out of $10, I would pay $7.50.
Jay (J.C.) Fralick is the host of The Drivecast
The co-host of the Wanna Watch a Movie Podcast
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Image: Fox
Thanks for being on point and on taterg!
Good movie but it would be a whole lot better with someone else for Adrien Brody, Topher Grace and Lawrence Fishburne.
And in reality, an Arnold sequel without an Arnold never can have the same effect.
What was cool though was the score was based on the original, the setting was nice, the weapons were pretty cool, Danny Trejo, how some phrases were subtly repeated from the first movie, and the end wasn’t too bad not counting how unreasonable it is that Adrien Brody can survive more than a single punch from a predator, that too the bigger, badder kind .
One quick question, why did Predators become a samurai movie for a scene (complete with high, wavy grass) right after becoming The Hobbit for a couple scenes (complete with cave and Gollem)?
I had to do a review for this film recently. Not the greatest but still fun.
Great review! Very readable and informative. You know what you’re talking about, that’s for sure. Not sure I’ll see Predator, but I will keep coming back to see what other movies you review.
Thanks again.
Love this review!!! What great writing!
I haven’t seen this yet but after your review I hope to see it soon.
Good review. Sounds like a fun mindless Summer popcorn flick. I also wanted to thank you for the “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” review. Inspired me to read the book (which is awesome) and then watch the movie.
Looking forward to seeing it, sometimes all I want is a straight (maybe mindless) sci fi movie, especially in the middle of summer
Great review, but I do admit I wish both Governators were in this one! We can’t have it all, can we?
Good review Jay… I think I’ll dust off AVP and then go see this movie… Predator was a classssic!!!!
Gotta love those Predators! Great review!
Can’t wait to read the next one!!
I feel like I need to stick up for AvP. I didn’t see the second one, but the first one, while admittedly dumb as hell, wasn’t all bad. I mean, it had ALIENS against PREDATORS!!! And I thought that was kinda cool.
I loved the first predator. I don’t think I’ll pay to see this one until it’s in RedBox. I do think your review is great. It pretty much tells me everything I want to know when considering seeing the movie. Your words are well put, easy to read, and concise. Review: Thumbs up. This movie: probably not up my alley. Thanks for the advice. Keep it up, and I’ll be back for more.
I pretty much agree with everything your review says. The film wasn’t a work of art but I really enjoyed it for it’s action and sic-fi aspects. It’s always cool when the predator lore is expanded upon as well. I just think the idea of the predator race is cool. I sometimes wish they would make a predator movie that was more story driven and less action driven so I could learn more about the predators and their culture. Anyone agree?
Thanks all for the awesome comments!
I don’t hate Predator 2. The first one has a far better cast, though.
Karen: want to check it out but I think Inception will be the next one I see. Hopefully will be able to write about on the site.
Great review – I enjoy your writing style and commentary. Not much of a Sci-Fi fan but just may have to check this one out.
Thanks for the review, the jury is still out on whether we’ll try this one out….
BTW- we checked out Despicable Me this weekend, we loved it!
Jay…had not though about seeing this movie but you got me with mindless summer fun! Who could as for more? Thanks!
hhmmm… action flicks arent my thing… thanks for the caution.
Thanks for the review JC. I am going to check it out this weekend.
I loved the first one, thought the second was ok, in my opinion. Thought AvP was a neat idea when it was a comic, didn’t like Requiem, except at MST3K fodder.
However, given this review, which doesn’t give spoilers, but does give a fair comparison to what has come before, I will end up checking this movie out. Thanks, J.C.
Yeah, it’s hard sometimes to follow 80’s rules with 2010 faux depth – unless it’s a vampire.
All in all, I’d rather have both available to watch depending on my mood, and who is around at the time.
I’ll never forget who taught me what FUBAR meant, thanks to Jesse Ventura. I doubt this will have that sort of impact to invite a new generation into the mix, but maybe I’m wrong.
I have to admit…..I love the first one. What a guilty pleasure flick!
Thanks for the review!
Yeah, really looking forward to seeing this. Loves me a good action flick with ‘splosions.
Love the first two, loved this one. It’s a great Predator film.
I enjoyed Predators, and though the original has been one of my absolute favorite movies for 20 years or more, I have to agree that the 2nd one is underrated. I think it was excellent.
I have been a fan of the Predator movies since I was a little kid, even had some of the action figures and comic books. I saw this film this weekend and it lived up to my expecations, unlike the two AVP films. It had it problems, but what B movie doesn’t, it is part of the charm.
Also it seems people ignore or hate on Predator 2, I loved this film too. Why the hate?