Posted on: Saturday, July 10th, 2010
Posted in: AJ Exclusives
Comments: 95
Predators Movie Review
Short Version: Predators is finally a step in the right direction after decade of this franchise being lost in the dark. Its entertaining, wont do anything to piss off hardcore predator fans, but ultimately by the end I can’t help but wonder what the point of this particular story was? Its time to expand on the source material, this is a good first step but only just.
What you’ll Like:
• One of my beloved franchises has finally been done justice! This feels like a Predator film should.
• Tension is tight as they keep from showing the predator hunters until the second act.
• Interesting dynamic with two predator factions (that is unfortunately not explored)
• Laurence Fishburne (who is sadly underused)
• Best Moment: The Yakuza on Predator Sword Fight.
What you’ll Hate:
• Average characters and dialogue in a movie supposed to be driven by bad ass personality. Nothing Quotable here.
• Devolves into predictable cliches during the last act.
• Cop-out Lazy Ending that sets up a sequel.
• Basically remade the original. Without Arnold it couldn’t have possibly lived up to it.
• This franchise needs to dive into its source material and wow us next time around or it will quickly devolve to AVP levels of disappointment.
Final Verdict:
6/10
Slightly Above Average!
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95 thoughts on “Predators Movie Review”
I don’t know why everybody keeps shitting on the first AVP! It’s the second one that is CRAP! Requiem was horrible!
Anyway, I thought the first AVP was quite entertaining.
I agree with you to a point but I have to point out the fact that in avpr they had little to no money for the film and only 50 days to shoot it. 50 Fucking day it takes atlest 100 days to shoot a decent 60 minute so you can’t realy say they did a crap job with there limeted time and resorces.
I disagree a little bit. Although many great movies have been made with limited funding, such as Rocky, with an AVP movie, if you don’t have the funds don’t make the movie yet. Also a lack of funds isn’t a great excuse. Aliens had limited technology and look what they did. It is a matter of creativity not funding.
I pretty much agree with your review, Joe. If there’s one word I can put on this movie, it’s SAFE. This movie is safe with predator fans. I’m a big fan and I thought the movie was “ok”. It simply didn’t take enough risk. It dangled a carrot that was just always out of reach. It needed more! It became vanilla. It was really missing more spice. You know there’s a problem when Darth Maul vs. Obi Wan has a better ending than Yakuza vs. Predator….WTF!!?!?!
But its biggest flaw was that it is TOO close to the original. I love the score, but some of the dialog and situations are nearly copies from Predator. They did TRY to add something new to the mix, but it just wasn’t enough.
Bottom line, if you’re a predator fan, see this to support the franchise. It’s gotten some black eyes lately that it didn’t deserve **coughAvPcough**. If your a sci fi action fan, you should see it too. Everyone else, probably wait till DVD. 6/10 is a fair score.
you said badass machismo actor : Steve Austin ^^ that would be cool to. But actually i heard from long time it was suppose to be a reboot/remake of Predator. Maybe after that we will get a descent AVP with colonial marines (or wayland yutani’s mercenaries just like in AVP 2), that would be cool.
Hey joe, nice review. I thought this movie was actually damn good. Being a huge predator fan too i was elated to hear of the previous events with arnold being told to the group! Also there are so many fantastic tributes to the original, such as the token black guy being the first one to look dead ahead into the trees. Also making use of the directional voice thing i loved. Which, the voices being transmitted by the predators was near line for line in the original.
One other major point that i loved was the fact, the predators learn, and have adapted to situations they have faced in the past.
The ending Adrian is covered in mud but in the predator vision, im pretty sure he can clearly see him now. Which is why Adrian has to adapt by lighting fires and moving fast, fantastic.
Anyway, any movie with more than 1 decapitation is worth a watch in my book.
Only gripe of the film was the oddly terrible CGI explosions and flames?! Why bother putting in CGI flames when they look that bad? :/
Lastly… holy S**t, when he pulls the guys spine out with his skull…
My verdict a definate 7/10 pushing 8 (because of loyalty to the fans)
Joe, why the hell did you give this a 6/10!? I’d give it an 8 or 9
As much as I love your reviews and respect your own opinions, Joe, I got to disagree with you on some of your points. First off, I was kinda like you in the beginning when I saw Topher Grace, but as the movie progresses I really found his character interesting ESPECIALLY at the end (will not spoil for everyone else). Sure hes comic relief, but with a movie this gritty and intense you gotta have some relief moments and I liked the way Robert Rodriguez fit Topher’s character into those moments. It wasn’t too over the top and actually got a chuckle or two out of me…
Secondly, I agree with you about Adrien trying too hard with the Christian Bale/Batman accent, but DAMN IT he was a badass character in the film. His character is believeable and you actually see his character evolve from a guy who only cares about his own survival to a person who actually cares about his comrades. Granted this comes AT THE END of the film, but its still a good way to develop him.
Lastly you keep mentioning how none of the characters were memorable. Look you don’t have to have memorable one-liners and macho man acting to make your characters badass. I liked how Robert made these people badass in their own way. Hes almost made them believable to me. C’mon though you gotta admit that ‘Samurai moment’ in the film was pretty cool. Not to mention how some of these guys die, going out with a bang. If thats examples of a badass then I don’t know what is Also if you think about it, the Predators took the most bat-shit crazy badasses around the world in order to hunt them. Its reasonably understood if they aren’t gonna cooperate in the beginning.
Anyways I just thought I’d throw in my two-cents for what its worth. I liked how Robert tried to make some of the characters more realistically and believable, compared to the macho-men in the original. Both are really great, though very differant movies.
Great review, Joe.
Did you know Legendary Pictures is working on a Godzilla remake?
http://godzilla.wikia.com/wiki/Legendary_Pictures_Godzilla_(2012)_Reboot
The first Predator was truly awesome because there was a sort of paranormal feeling into it. A bunch of the strongest men on earth against an almost invisible creature… Ghost? Animal? Demon? Man? Alien? Only the end of the movie would give us an unclear answer. It was definitely a clever movie and not just a dumb action movie. Animals are hunted by creatures that they don’t know anything about and that they don’t understand, in the movie you could see this situation applied to human beings facing the fear of death and of the unknown: Total surrealistic experience! The cast was awesome because you could see those bad asses totally powerless against the creature and totally terrified by it (man the “bloody shaving” part is one of the best representation of fear in cinema).
Nowadays we know almost everything about the predators because sci-fi geeks needed to rationalize and develop the background of those creatures and it totally ruined the feeling of the movie. How can this sequel be faithful to the saga when you have a bunch of pussies being chased by several predators? It’s an insult to the group that died by the hand of just one predator!!!! The less I know about the predators the more I liked them… Now that we know so much about them the magic’s just gone and the future movies are always going to be average sci-fi slashers and nothing more.
PS: Sorry for my bad English
Not checked if my local cinema has it yet but think I’ll go give this film a watch now I know its not god awfull.
I’ve never watched the two terrible AvP films so thankfully they havn’t spoiled the Predator character for me.
sorry to do this, can any 1 can tell my what the midi intro and the heavy metal ending them is ??? plz !!! and thanks joe for a noter briliant review ^^
i saw that movie today. i hate to say it, but i give it a D- at best. Horrible acting as well as special effects. Cheesy script, and the plot was very confusing. Oh, and the music during the credits doesn’t match the rest of the movie even in the tiniest big. Kills me to day it, but………………EPIC FAIL!
not…
You must have not seen the original..?? the song during the credits is the same song that the specops team from the original predator plays during their helicopter ride into the jungle. so many more things make sense if you have seen the original. there are soo many references to the first one.
The credits didn’t match the movie at all? you mean the song they are listening to in the chopper at the start of the original movie? I guess if an homage means nothing to you, then yeah sure, doesn’t match.
Weird… Sean sounded better as Arnold here compared to that Transmission Awesome fiasco. Mic check?
they should have used STone Cold Steve Austen as the lead role. Dude’s still a bad ass even if he isn’t as popular anymore…
Joe try to get an interview with gearbox on the aliens colonial marines game!! i want it sooo bad!!
i saw that film 2 but i must say it’s a good movie not very good but it is good!!!!
don’t be so hard to it for me it is a 7 of 10
Adrien Brody’s acting range is mixed blessing. He can play a lot of different roles, in ways that makes him believable as that type of character. However, he does it so well that you often end up remembering the character, but not who was portraying him.
Joe i just got back from the cinema 2 hours ago and think this movie was awesome my only complaint is that it was to shooooooooooort….
short??? it was longer than the most movies!!!
Someone turn that Predator killing Adrian Brody skit into a gif.
Nice use of Austrian death machine joe lol although the Arnold at the beginning coulda been a bit more BRUTAL!!!
how long was a season? seems to be short since it seemed like only a couple days since the predators were killed, and we see new people coming down. also why did lawrence fishburnes character try to kill them? what was the purpose of topher graces character going crazy at the end? when his only protection the other two humans? this movie was entertaining but was not on par with the first, also what a disappointing ending, why didn’t royce take equipment from the predator he killed? and without getting a ship what is the purpose of them getting off the planet?
I was thinking the same about the whole lenght of a season thing. im guessing its still the same season, but are they trying to say more predators are coming??? or is it new prey without a predator to hunt them??
Hey Joe,
Firstly. . . GET TO DA CHOPPA.. *Cough* I just want to infrom you that the preadtors are seperated into “Warriors” and “Hunters”. Alos great review! It was excellent, and I agree with you on a movie of Predator Civil War, it would be Epic! That is all.
Sorry that Fishbourne isn’t used more, BUT I am glad that they went back to the story’s roots. Great review, Joe!
I totally agree with you on Topher Grace. Ugh. Just stop it already! It would be one thing if they would let him play against type but every time I’ve seen him try, he’s failed, miserably.
Oh, Arnold. How I miss you and your cheesy puns. Best one of the original: *impales man to post with fucking machete* “Stick around.” YES! I laugh every time. No one can pull that off anymore. NO ONE.
I’m excited this is taking the source material seriously. As someone who grew up watching Predator as a child (seriously, I could quote this film verbatim at 10) it gives me hope for the franchise. I hope it continues this path.
Great review Joe. As always, your enthusiasm and passion is infectious. I enjoyed Sean’s bit too, very creative there Joe.
Can’t wait to see more in the future.
Mollye
I planned on seeing the Film on Wednesday. Now with Ridley Scotts prequel to Alien I don’t think that having marines will happen. Why? Because it be AVP all over again but with mixing horror and action which would be dumb. In opinion what Ridley is planning on having in the prequel is what I expect to see in the Alien franchise. Its not all about Aliens with the Marines. Its about the horrors in Space. That’s my take.
i agree with you chris exept that most likley there will be a bigger threat than the 1st or 3rd films with the space jockey and all so im betting that the crew/characters will be better armed then the crew of the nostromo but not like marines and sutch cause yes that would be a kill
Hey Joe I really agree with you on some points about the film being true to the series and how they are digging a bit deeper into the mythology. However I feel that if they tried to go any deeper they would have tried to cover way too much on the film. I actually think it’s a good thing that they just scratched the surface because it can lead into a better sequel that will do the mythology justice without trying too hard.
For me I am looking forward to a Predators 2 film where it takes place just after the first so the audience would care more about the survivors of the first. That could then lead up having a group of the new predators up against a group of the classic predators all while the humans are caught in the middle of this epic battle. And possibly focus on the saying, the enemy of my enemy.
No trophy? I had that complaint, but just figured because its the bigger predators, that its an asshole tactic they don’t subscribe to.
Damn dude you should be getting paid some serious chedder, I dont know what you do outside of the show but someone in the industry needs to recognize angryJoe and put you in a decision making position. You are so on point with all your reviews its rediculous. So keep doing what your doing bro. and thanks.
I felt it was more like 8/10 and of course orginal predator is the best predator movie ever. The reason why i think its so good is because of i saw it 3 days before it was shown to the public so it made the experience of seeing it so much better.
We need a new Starship Troopers, not that serie B garbage sequels they made, I meen decent one like the original, with (fallout 3 style) satire and epic badassery.
Hey Joe,
I saw the film yesterday and thought it was really good. I was expecting much worse. I agree Fishburne’s character wasn’t used the way I expected him to be either… also why when they were leaving his little den didn’t someone take his badass predator armor? That would’ve been the first thing I grabbed.
Also, the twist with the seemingly nice doctor was kinda odd. I guess it made sense, but still kind of weird.
But you know what really annoyed me? The trailer for the film shows a scene where Adrian Brody’s character gets all these red dots all over him as if a shit load of predators are there….. and it never happened in the film. Fuck that! I was waiting the whole time for that scene! I hate waiting for something that doesn’t show up.
i agree why did no 1 take the predator stealth armor from the hidout OR the plasma shotgun, THEN later when fishboune kills the Hunter type predator he does not take his gear WTF?
predator civil war awesome
The original Rodriguez script back in the 90′s was all about Arnold. So I guess he must have passed on it.
I really liked this film because it did something different that I whole-heartedly welcomed. I would REALLY pressure you guys to go and see it because this pretty good Predator movie could very easily become and AWESOME Predator movie if it was given one more shot. It has the minds, it has the lore, it just needs to use them to the fullest extent. GO SEE THIS MOVIE
And I HAVE to say this Joe, THIS WAS NOT A REMAKE. Why do you keep spewing that? It’s got very interesting ideas that were not given their fullest potential. I found it to be better than the original Predator honestly. Just don’t call it a remake when you have very different scenarios, characters, plots, and ideas. That nullifies your argument! Like the idea of pain and suffering in the film was something really intriguing. Anyways, it’s not a remake. I will stab a ho if people keep saying that.
Joe you were to hard on it. I gave it a 4/5 because it was a good action horror movie. I actually felt like I was one of the killers being hunted by the predators. Plus this wasnt your bs jump scare horror it had me on the end of my seat terrified. Adrian I thought he did pretty good surpassingly and I think that this isnt going to be his first action movie role. I thought it was funny seeing the guy from that 70s show being a doctor serial killer. However Nolan i totally agree and some of the special effects werent that good but other than that this has to be my favorite movie this summer thats why I give it a 4/5.
I think you were a bit too tough on this film. You say that it was basically a remake and that not enough was done, but honestly I think this was a good thing. They wanted to start off small, get a new generation into the Predator franchise after the horrendous AVP films nearly killed it. I’m glad they didn’t go overboard with new stuff right off the bat; that could have turned a lot of people off this film, especially ones who have never seen the original Predator. Now more people will go back and watch the original hopefully, and we’ll see a bigger fan base for the franchise. And since the ending opened up a sequel, now they can take that next step and “dive into the source material” as you said, focus on new things like the Predator Civil War and such. This was a necessary stepping stone if you ask me. It wasn’t a perfect film, there are definitely flaws you pointed out I agree with, but it still did what it did well I felt.
Great review as always Joe. As I was watching the review, I noticed something. I don’t know if it’s the lights, but you look pale as a ghost.
Good review! But can someone please tell what that song or theme in the beginnig is called? The one that joe juses in every review? Please tell me if you know
right im convinced hollywood is fucked
1 that christain bale voice has to go its fucking everywhere these days he even done the exact same voice in terminator salvation watchman Rorschach same voice its completely stupid because no one talks like that
2 if hollywood is going to remake or make Sequel or Prequel at least give us more dept like Predators lets see more of there home world and tech in alien lets go to there home world and explore there historys
3 if your going to go to japan and buy classic manga make it properly like avatar (james cameron movie) i hope they dont fuck up akria or ghost in the shell
at this moment in history hollywood is for pussys i want more adult theme movies no more PG 13 bull shit fuck saw its boreing hostle boreing
i want a hardboiled gun fight movie with blood i want total recall type movies i want the same intensity that they had no fucking documentiers about shit no one gives a fuck about
i dont go to see movies ti be reminded how shit reality is i live in it
Joe, you are complaining about problems that have nothing to do with the film. Adrian Brody is a serious bad ass in this film. Yes he has the tough guy voice but he’s a modern tough guy. He modeled himself after soldiers he had met and that’s why he is the way he is in the film.
Again, you have complaints but they are more to do with what you want then what happened, and that’s just bad critiquing. Come on man. Embrace the awesomeness of Alice Braga and Adrian Brody! EMBRACE IT!
Are they ever going to explain how a species that apparently only does dangerous hunts ever managed to develop such a high tech level? Do they just do this for fun and then go back to their accounting jobs afterwords like human hunters (there’s an image) or is this really their entire culture?
Yes they explain how the Predators evolve in this film. They also, oddly enough, explain the differences between the AVP Predators and the Predator from the original and second film.
Did we watch the same film? They didn’t explain anything about evolution or the types of predators. It’s left open ended with no tangible explanation.
HEY! don’t you think that sylvester stallone wound be a good lead? also, the marines are crap.
whoa, whoa! are you suggesting that its a remake?
you know what “alien” called the seconded instalment? they called it “aliens” ,see it?? I think they tried to add more story in-between Predator and Predator 2 by calling it “Predators”
you are lucky that I saw it yestoday, for man, you keep spoiling…
and that ending, perfect, we need something to stand out from all that American BS ending stuff. I like the sound of the fight continuing, them searching for the next party of predators, so they can get there ship!
Thanks for the review, Joe. It’s just great to see a movie review about Predators coming from a fan such as yourself. It’s given me hope for this movie and the franchise in general!
So basically you are telling me that this movie is a remake (you actually did at one point in your review actually say the word), the plot points you mentioned all happened in pred 1 (apart from one which you admit doesnt go anywhere), so why should i watch this again? To tell Hollywood to make more unimaginative movie remakes? Nope, sorry wont do
Also Pred 2 wasnt bad, I actually enjoyed it more then the first, I know heresy and such. ^^
I honestly think hollywood is dead, they are incapable of doing anything new and good.
Still good review, keep at it
….This is just another example of Holywood beeing out of ideas. Another unnecessary sequal.
They should take new risk and get some people on a NEW Predator project…it’s possible damnit…
Holywood is becoming more and more of a joke.
Good to hear that it’s better than the AvP crap. I really hope this does well enough to get Fox to make more Predator movies, and that they actually give us some more back story on the predators themselves. It’d be interesting to see a movie just about the predators, maybe about that civil war going on.
Hey Joe have you seen the youtube video, “arnold watches new predator movie trailer” .. If not, go see it NAO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBv4AsGVDxw
I really do love your movie reviews. You generally have exactly the same take on movies as I do and we seem to like the same movies.
Definitely worth to see.