“Predators” is a 2010 American science fiction action film directed by Nimród Antal and starring Adrien Brody, Topher Grace, Alice Braga, Walton Goggins, and Laurence Fishburne. It is a sequel to the 1987 film “Predator”, and the fourth installment in the “Predator” franchise. In the film, a group of elite warriors are hunted by aliens on a planet.
The film received mixed reviews from critics. Some praised the direction, acting, and action, while others criticized the plot and characters. However, the film was a box office success, grossing over $127 million worldwide.
The premise is really pretty simple. Gather up a group of killers and nutjobs, parachute them on to an alien planet, and let the hunt begin. Big game hunting Predator style, complete with some weird alien ‘dogs’, and a lot of clunky dialog whilst the humans try and work out what is going on. And to stay alive of course.
There’s a great cast of notables, including Laurence Fishburne, Walton Goggins staggering in fresh from a fumble with Vic Mackey, and the ever great Danny Trejo, all trying to survive the Predator onslaught. Character wise they don’t really gel together that well though, within 10 minutes of the film starting you can pretty much tell who is going to survive long term, and who has been put there just for cannon fodder. Since most are cannon fodder, it makes for a flat feeling.
The set piece fight scenes are great fun, special effects are well done, and not too tame which was always a worry since this got rated 15 in the UK, usually a sign that gore will be lacking. When it works, it works well, and when it works is usually when the characters stfu babbling about discoveries they just made which the audience all knew 30 minutes before, and get down to trying to kill Predators, or to at least avoid being killed.
Unfortunately, most of the plotting is handled clumsily and is way too drawn out. It felt boring and awkward, like two virgins making small talk for hours because both are too shy to make the first movie at intimacy. Predators really feels like it could easily lose 10-20 minutes of running time and benefit from it, streamlining to remove the cliched and cackhanded developments.
It’s a brave effort that does come close, but it’s hamstrung by predictability, lack of freshness to it, and the feeling that it has all been done before, and done better. The assembled cast are great with the material they have to work with, effects and fights look suitably thrilling on screen, but in the end it’s the plotting and some awkward direction that let it down.
Still, you’ll watch it whatever I say, you’ll enjoy it to a degree, and most likely you’ll come away with that feeling that says it was a wasted opportunity, it could have been so much more. Watch, enjoy the fights and the odd jumpy moment, and bring earplugs or your iPod to escape from the character and plot development scenes.
“Predators” is an enjoyable science fiction action film that is sure to please fans of the genre. The film is well-directed and features some great action sequences. The acting is also good, with Adrien Brody and Laurence Fishburne standing out in particular. However, the plot is somewhat weak and the characters are not particularly well-developed. Nevertheless, “Predators” is an entertaining film that is worth watching.
Synopsis
The film opens with a group of mercenaries, led by Royce (Adrien Brody), waking up in a strange jungle. They have no idea how they got there, and they soon realize that they are being hunted by a group of aliens known as the Predators. The mercenaries band together and try to survive against the Predators, while also trying to figure out why they were brought there in the first place.
The film is full of action and suspense, and the characters are all very likable. The ending is very satisfying, and the film is definitely worth a watch.
Movie Details
Director : Nimrod Antal
Writers : Alex Litvak, Michael Finch
Actors : Alice Braga, Adrian Brody, Danny Trejo, Laurence Fishburne
Release Year : 2010