David O'ConnellPredators
July 5th 2010 05:41
Here’s a franchise that’s been sadly mistreated over the years. Predator, John McTiernan’s 1987 original, was a classic, no question. A second film, relocating the basic scenario to an urban environment, was then unwisely saddled up in 1990, playing to moderate success. Many years then passed before an unfortunate intermingling of species of sorts - Alien vs. Predator (2004) - was conceived as a cash-cow that could deliver on the basis that nostalgic memories of either entity might be stirred and thus exploited. A pair of films, though deliriously exciting in theory, proved to be insultingly bad B-grade romps, soulless and extraneous; initially intriguing to fans of both franchises but satisfying to neither.
Though producer Robert Rodriguez’s name has featured prominently in promotion of this series reboot, the final product, Predators, is the work of screenwriting newcomers Alex Litvak and Michael Finch. The director is Nimrod Antal, responsible for Vacancy (2007), an underrated suspense thriller starring Kate Beckinsale.
The film opens with a man, Royce (Adrien Brody), dropping through space with a parachute on his back. After landing in dense jungle terrain, he’s soon joined by more bodies falling from the sky. They assemble into a team of eight, including a lone female (Alice Braga). Confused, enraged and conveniently armed with loads of weaponry we learn, thorough vague references to the past, that most seem to be mercenaries of some description; predators in their own way. Only Topher Grace's doctor, Edwin, seems a strangely incongruous addition. The others, however, all possess the skills needed to handle their weapons more than adequately. They’ll need them too for the arrival of a gang of seemingly indefensible killing machines is imminent. But before the Predators show their faces, another horde of beasts - nasty appetizers in their own right - are sent into their midst to hone the reactive skills of this makeshift group of outcasts for the life-and-death war of attrition that looms.
Royce surmises that they’ve all been tossed into the equivalent of a game preserve to be used as prey, and after a spectacular, revelatory view from the vantage point of a clearing, they have little logical reason to disbelieve him. Naturally some members of the party have dark secrets that they’d rather hold close to their chests than initiate discourse with. Just as predictably, most of them will die as one by one they are cut down in battle by the ruthless Predator squadron who continue a cut-and-thrust through the jungle, possibly with less design than the humans attribute to them.
Brody and Braga make a good combo, dancing in the dark to avoid the predators.
Firstly, the context: taking this film back to the jungle where it all began was definitely a wise move. It immediately creates a favourable connection with the best entry in the series. On the other hand, the ferocity and dread inspired by the creatures themselves as they first appeared in the original have long been diluted by over-exposure and the mechanical repetition of the Alien vs. Predator films. Seen bleeding through a generic CGI stratosphere - as they often are - makes it that little bit harder to establish their imposing physical presence which includes those memorably ugly facial features.
Some mild tension is created by Antal who keeps the action nicely balanced against their build-up sequences. The dialogue, whilst hardly stitched together with iconic, Schwarzenegger-esque one-liners, at least isn’t as ropey as you might have predicted. For the most part Brody injects the film with an undeniable jolt of credibility. It may be seen as quite a freefall from The Pianist to fending off alien killing machines on a distant planet, but the guy has presence and generates some genuine intensity with his smoldering dark glares. Braga, posing as the Sigourney Weaver/Michelle Rodriguez hybrid, exerts herself convincingly too and doesn't feels out of place in this testosterone minefield.
Though not disreputably handled in the way the previous films were, neither is Predators quite the blast from the past we’d hoped for. It’s serviceable as both a horror and action film, with a solid cast and gung-ho attitude keeping it afloat for most of its length. There’s a sense of going through the motions in the second half however, especially once the jungle context, with its broader implications of threat, is removed. Tightening the noose of claustrophobia around audience throats can be effective, but there’s nothing overly inventive about any of the death scenes; certainly no outrageous, spectacular set-piece that lingers in the memory and has you begging for a rewind button. At least John Debney's muscular score makes a consistantly solid contribution, skillfully paying both direct and indirect homage to Alan Silvestri's sterling work on the original films.
Predators is ultimately an entertaining excursion back into the jungle despite a few dead spots in the middle stages when a name actor shows up for a few scenes, stifling the momentum momentarily. Overall I’d say that the first half with its efficient set-up is superior. Much of its progress thereafter is downhill, with only minimal gore and the requisite number of unintentionally funny scenes, including a swordfight between man and Predator that wouldn’t feel out of place in a piss-take on the entire series. In summary, this reboot does earn itself a pass mark, but only just.
Predators opens nationally July 8.
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Comment by Deni
Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald
Cheers,
D
Comment by David O'Connell
Screen Fanatic
Comment by ShaunK
Screen Adventure
I really like the Schwarzenegger one. It has one of my favourite all time lines of dialogue....
There's a chance I may never see this new version but I'm sure Brody is good in it -although I doubt many come close to the presence of Richard Chaves, the American Indian actor in the original. What a presence!
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I am one of those in the minority that thinks the urban jungle sequel actually exceeds the first...but as Shaun said Richard Chaves makes the original.
No argument the Alien Vs Predator films were atrocious....why did they not stick to the graphic novels?
Comment by ShaunK
Screen Adventure
Comment by Matt Shea
20/20 Filmsight
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
I'm glad we weren't too far from each other's opinions.
Comment by David O'Connell
Screen Fanatic
This is a definite step-up from Armoured JD. I know Bryn and I are both of the belief that Vacancy was above average and well handled so the guy has some history in this area. I concur with Shaun too - it takes a lot of guts to go against the grain mate! Predator 2 isn't all that bad, but my God - Gary Busey! I don't want to ever see that creep's face on screen again after enduring that Celebrity Rehab show......................hel l, did I just say that out loud!!
Thanks Matt - yeah, the bit players are definitely worthy of attention, they certainly add a bit of spice before they bite the dust!
We are indeed pretty much on the same page Bryn! Excellent work mate, glad to see you made it through the recovery haze to posting your own review!
Comment by ShaunK
Screen Adventure
Did they lift any lines in this one David - does Brody have any 'If it bleeds we can kill it' lines here.
It would have been interesting to get John McTiernen to remake it actually, not that he probably would have.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Just to clarify, I enjoy Predator 2 for several reasons.
The first is upping the ante by having street cops hunted instead of elite fighting machines.
The detective angle works and this was made before Bill Paxton's shtick got old so I enjoyed his performance upon original release.
It is certainly a guilty pleasure (much like the first) but the sly pop culture nod of an Alien trophy sealed my affection. Oh and the OTT weaponry, voodoo angle and mass carnage also catered to my warped sensibilities.
Maybe I should just review the film on JDM
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by David O'Connell
Screen Fanatic
Bryn, to say Amber Smith and her mum are messed up would be a gross understatement.............. but yeah, I know what you mean.
It was indeed on cable last year. Good old Dr. Drew. Success rate of about 3%.
Comment by Deni
Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald
Check out the link below. He's being interviewed by an 11 year old girl at a Children's Foundation Oscar After-Party
Gary Busy interview
Poor girl!
Cheers,
Dee
Comment by ShaunK
Screen Adventure
Both directors have probably forgotten everything they know after their little sabbaticals anyway.
Comment by David O'Connell
Screen Fanatic
Thanks for the update Shaun. I think I remember JD mentioning the upcoming Lunar Park, didn't realise Robinson was attached though. Not sure I want to know any more about that McTiernan project, sounds like it could be a barely disguised porn film!
Comment by ShaunK
Screen Adventure
Comment by David O'Connell
Screen Fanatic
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile