Writer: Alex Litvak, Michael Finch (Screenplay) Jim Thomas, John Thomas (Characters)
Starring: Adrien Brody, Topher Grace, Alice Braga, Walton Goggins, Oleg Taktarov, Laurence Fishburne, Danny Trejo, Louis Ozawa Changchien, Mahershala Ali
Plot: The mercenary Royce (Brody), the military Isabelle (Braga), Russian solider Nikolai (Taktarov), Sierra Leone militia Mombasa (Ali), drug lord Cuchillo (Trejo), Yakuza Hanzo (Changchien) and Doctor Edwin (Grace) awake in free fall but they succeed to open their parachutes landing in a jungle. Soon they discover that they are on another planet and they are prey of aliens in a deadly hunting game, and they need to join forces to destroy their predators and survive.
Verdict: Predator Upgraded
Story: We knew and loved the first Predator we got a military unit trapped being hunted by a mysterious creature, then we got it all in a city losing something that made the first great. This brings back what made the first one great pitting a group of trained killers together to take on a group of Predators. We get to see a few different fighting/combat cultures as they square off against the Predators, we learn of the horrors they have committed to create reputation worth taking to put against the Predators. The negative is the twist to one of the characters which comes off well but also strange as to why they were selected. In the end it turns into a good film that is enjoyable. (8/10)
Actor Reviews
Adrien Brody: Royce the out for himself soldier who will risk anybody’s life to find out what he is up against. He is designed to be unlikable and very anti-hero. Good performance from Brody who shows he can play the good guy with a bad personality well. (8/10)
Topher Grace: Edwin a doctor who for some reason has been sent to join these warriors of their own region, he gives away hints that he may not be who he said throughout. Good performance keeping his wimpy persona he would be known for in an action world. (7/10)
Alice Braga: Isabelle the good one when it comes to her human nature she only wants to kill to protect and doesn’t want to leave anyone behind. Good performance in the opposite to our hero. (7/10)
Walton Goggins: Stans a man from death row who looks like he would be easy to kill but he has a lot of fight in him. Good supporting role to create the most unlikable character. (6/10)
Oleg Taktarov: Nikolai a big Russian who works well with the team and is very loyal to the people who protect him from danger. Good supporting showing that even the meanest guy can have a good side.(6/10)
Laurence Fishburne: Noland a survivor from previous hunting session on the planet, offers the information to survive but is very twisted in the head. Good small role to create the information but doesn’t stick around longer enough to show how much he has descended into madness. (6/10)
Director Review: Nimrod Antal – Strong direction to create an enjoyable film with plenty of action and honouring the original well. (8/10)
Action: Good fight scenes throughout finishing off with one that will be able to compete with Arnie’s. (9/10)
Sci-Fi: An alien species hunting humans on another planet we never knew existed, need I say more? (10/10)
Thriller: Doesn’t have the full suspense of its predecessor but still keeps you wanting to know more. (7/10)
Settings: Great setting being on a different planet meaning anything could be in the environment. (10/10)
Special Effects: Solid special effects throughout. (8/10)
Suggestion: This is one for the fans, if you liked the original Predator this will be right up your ally. Non-fans may get into this as it has more action but less suspense. (Action Fans Watch)
Best Part: Brings the glory back to the series after the dreadful versus Aliens films.
Worst Part: Very generic supporting characters.
Action Scene Of The Film: The final fight
Kill Of The Film: Hanzo
Believability: No (0/10)
Chances of Tears: No (0/10)
Chances of Sequel: It is left pretty open, but I haven’t heard anything yet.
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: No
Box Office: $127,233,108
Budget: $40 Million
Runtime: 1 Hour 47 Minutes
Tagline: This summer, fear is reborn.
Overall: Welcome Return of the Franchise
Rating