For the avid fan like myself, who has spent countless hours exploring the Aliens vs. Predator universe, be it through novels, comic books, or video games, a proper Predator sequel has been a long time coming. When the film first entered the spotlight, many - myself included - were skeptical due to the odd choice of casting Adrien Brody as the lead, as well as giving the project to a first-time director (despite the fantastic news that Robert Rodriguez would produce). However, I am happy to report that - a few nagging details aside - the fans should be satisfied (though still hungry for more). Predators is not a perfect film by any stretch of the imagination as far as blockbuster action flicks are concerned, but it is fun, deliciously violent, and definitely one of the better releases in the genre thus far in 2010.
The film opens with Brody's character, Royce, falling from the sky. Shortly before he hits the ground, a parachute opens in the nick of time to provide a slightly less painful landing. Moments later, others follow suit, falling in the same manner. Eventually, after a few testosterone-filled stand-offs and misunderstandings, all of the fallen individuals come together. Most of them are members of various special forces units throughout the world, except for one convict and a doctor (Edwin, played by Topher Grace). Moreover, all of them have been dropped in the middle of a jungle on what they quickly realize is not Earth, and are armed to the teeth, the idea being that they were abducted while engaged in combat somewhere (except for the convict, who only has a makeshift knife, and Edwin, who is unarmed).
There is a bit of exposition along the way, and after being toyed with a little too much by a pack of ferocious dog-like creatures covered in spikes, the band of hardened killers decides to take the initiative and track down whatever is apparently hunting them. So, they eventually find a campsite where a Predator is tied up (apparently there are two different kinds of Predators, and this one was being held prisoner for some reason. Worth noting, too, is that the costume of the captive Predator, as a little throwback to the fans, is actually that of the Predator from the original 1987 flick starring Arnold Schwarzenegger). One of the group, Isabelle (Alice Braga), recognizes the alien, recollecting an encounter with one some years ago. The mindful fan listening to her story will realize that she is recounting the events of the '87 film, and appears, as far as I could tell, to be the very same woman that Arnold saved (though her name was Anna). Shortly after Isabelle puts things in perspective for the rest of the group, three Predators return to the camp and all hell breaks loose as the humans make their escape, regroup, and scheme to defeat their newly identified hunters and get off the foreign planet.
A few surprises are in store throughout the remainder of the film, some of which do not make much sense when one stops to think about them, but fortunately it does little to detract from the film. There are (sometimes drastic) leaps in logic, some of the characters' actions make little sense in relation to how their personalities are established, and there a few comedic moments here and there that are awkward or dull more often than actually humorous, but the overall package is a worthwhile effort from a competent director and a talented cast. The only real gripe I had leaving the theater was with the ambiguous ending of the film. The final moments, though obviously pointing towards a potential sequel, felt oddly out of place in a film that almost left the viewer demanding for closure. However, given that it took twenty years for a new Predator film to arrive, I am patient enough to wait a few more for a sequel that (hopefully) continues the story of the surviving characters.
B+
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