Predators

Rating: 6.6/10

Genre: Action Thriller

Overall value for time and money: 6.5/10

After the disappointing viewing of Alien vs Predators 2, I went to catch this movie with an open mind. It didn't quite attract me at first, but after seeing the pretty decent reviews online, I thought, what the heck, since I've already caught all the Predators installments. I'm not even sure if this movie is an indepedent movie or is it even like a stand-alone sequel?

An elite group of humans dropped into an unknown forest later come to realise that they are part of a hunting "game". *spoilers ahead* The story is pretty predictable, initially the humans were the prey while the predators were the hunters. But towards the end, there was a change of roles... nothing too unpredictable about that. But despite the typical storyline of a Predator movie, it does pack a good load of Predator screentime. Thankfully, the movie was shot mostly in the day, and when the Predators finally made their appearance, they weren't dark and dodgy figures which one can hardly catch a glimpse of (like in the previous movies), but were more prominent figures, allowing us to appreciate the intricacy and the details of their "body costume".

But that's about all the thumbs up I can give to the movie. The cool characters died off too quickly, and having Topher Grace in the movie (a more well known actor) kills quite a lot of suspense because at different points where he's on the verge of dying, you know his time isn't up yet. Adrien Brody once again stole the limelight as the male lead with his low, manly voice and demeanor. The sword duel of the Yakuza gangster and the Predator might seem a little overplayed and irrational but it still kinda makes sense since the Predators were treating the hunting of the humans more like a challenge and a game to them.

Not much mention about the basis behind the extraterrestrial dogs and "civilians"... I mean if they were sent to the forest as well as prey, I don't really see the need to because there are already the humans. And of course, there isn't any explanation as to how the humans were actually "captured" and brought there... we just know bits of pieces of the "unseen" off screen plot. Also, the rescuing of the hostage predator is quite unaccounted for... and the duel between both Predators felt like a short advertisement breather. And the main problem with Predators movies is that although the build up of their appearance is strong since most of the time they are invisible... they become more vulnerable after their first appearance as they somehow throw away their ability to use their invisibility anymore. Last but not least, the entire setting of the movie is in the forest, so it kinda feels like a low budget film but in a way still makes an engaging setting for the helpless humans.

Something was missing in the movie. Probably the "substance" of it or the "grandeur" of it. It just feels like another cheap production, no brainer action thriller despite a fairly decent storyline and a good cast. Still, one of the better Predator movies out there (best being Predators 2) and even if you're not a huge fan, you can still give this movie a try.