If you see Predators (to which I give a solid B* on the UJWF Scale) try to image the whole thing is taking place just on the other side of Pandora. The parallels between the two films are both striking and mostly nonexistent unless you, like me, like to imagine fictional crossover subplots during movies.
If you are a fan of Predator and subscribe to the view that after the original no additional films were ever made containing Predators or their various adversaries (Aliens, Danny Glover, etc) then you should be able to enjoy this film. That is, as long as you set your sites squarely in the “I hope it’s pretty good” zone.
Here’s a quick, spoiler free breakdown:
Visuals: A – The (seemingly) limited use of CG was refreshing. It was nice to see some practical effects and some guys-in-suits that were still believable. Of course the Predadogs (Predoodles? Targs?) and spaceships were CG but the movie didn’t feel like there were 100’s of effects shots which gave it a nice, stripped down atmosphere similar to the original.
Acting: N/A – Doesn’t matter. Most of the cast do just fine but spend the entire film acting serious or scared. The rest of the time (which is the majority) they are shooting, running or dying. Topher Grace probably turns in the best performance but that isn’t saying a lot.
Story: B – The initial concept of the “game preserve planet” is very cool but the story doesn’t really progress past that point. That’s not entirely a bad thing, though. The movie just establishes it self right away then gets immediately to the “kill or be killed” reality of being stuck in the Predators’ play pen.
All in all I enjoyed it, but less for the content of the film or more for the fact that I was having an oh so rare night out with friends. Take from that what you will.
POST YOUR SPOILER FREE THOUGHTS IN THE COMMENTS!
*A grade of B on the Unified Joel Watson Filmitological Scale denotes a film that should be seen in the theater by those who already have an interest in the film or it’s genre, are single, without child and having copious free time and money to burn. Those of you with children (ie limited free time/no spare cash) should wait for DVD.
Everything about this is win–Josh's and Joel's expressions in 1, Joel's in 2, Eli's in 3 … er, 4.
The whole Predatar (Avator?) mashup is perfect.
Exactly. Love it. Now add Aliens to the mash-up and get Ellen Ripley slaughtering EVERYONE and you have the biggest hit ever 😉
No, I think I'd rather have N'avi plus Predators … plus Gremlins!!!!
😀
I'd love to see Predator's vs. Ewoks… "The Fuzzy Hunt"
LOL, that'd work, too.
Odd to see a dead Joel comic instead of a dead Josh comic. Totally threw me off!
Yeah, what's wrong? Is killing Josh not funny anymore?
Nuke the place from orbit….its the only way to be sure…
love your movie rating system – ha!!
It occurs to me that with only 4 fingers your characters can't do a proper vulcan salute…which is what it looks like Joel is doing.
Have they tried giving it Reeses Pieces and beer?
That worked for ET.
Man, Predators would have a ball in Great Tree
It would be a Na'vi bloodbath, & I would pay to see it!
I'm lovin' Eli as Danny Trejo! It's the 'stauch that sells it!
I am so happy to see someone else use the word 'cloaca'.
Awesome rating system! Although that does mean I'll have to wait for the DVD.
As Joel commands, so shall it be (pending overriding commandments from the almighty Joss).
This is exactly how first contact will play out. Sans Picard breaking his little ships.
wait wait wait… Topher Grace?!?! What is this… That 70's Predator?
My idea for a strip is to do one about the predators when they're not on vacation. You know, standing around the office cooler talking about their big kills over the weekend ("Yeah, I totally gutted him from head to hole! har har"). Or is that a Robot Chicken skit waiting to be written?
First of all, I sense some serious material for some epic cross-over slash.
Second, I think they should have just given Arnold Schwarzenegger about twenty hits of acid, stripped him down and deposited him on a jungle island. Go all sorts of Tropic Thunder with it. Hi-larious.
Do the Navi have genitals?
i enjoyed Predators. I think Laurence Fishburne's performance was really good. Even better than Topher grace's.I really enjoyed Grace's performance, but i think Fishburne's was better. Oh, and I loved todays comic
I loved PREDATORS- it was a bona-fide sequel to the original film 23 years after the fact, complete with the same music, some callback dialogue (and a line of dialogue from ALIENS!) plus the original 1987 Predator tied to the pointy thing. If he was still alive, Original Flavour Predator would have undoubtedly been played by Kevin Peter Hall. Loved Topher. Was alternately intrigued and scared by Adrien Brody's new mega-pumped body. Did anyone else catch the facehugger and Neanderthal skull in the trophy clearing?!
They should have tried "Gar weep nar-bar weep Ninnibong" and given him an energon goody. Works every time.