We have added a new reviewer to our team, Jody Martin! Thanks so much…You know you ROCK!!
The new movie, “Predators,” is the latest installment to the “Aliens/Predators” sci-fi genre that began in the 1979 with the original “Alien” and the mid to late 1980′s with Arnold Swarzenegger’s “Predator.” Occurring after the decent but somewhat lacking “Aliens versus Predator: Requiem,” this movie is a much better and visually more stimulating sequel to the group. Starring Adrien Brody, Alice Braga, and Laurence Fishburne among others, it is about a group of professionally trained soldiers or psychopathic killers who are kidnapped by the predators, taken to an alien planet where they are hunted by the predators, and shows their attempt to band together for survival. the action starts with the first scene although there is a thirty or so minute “getting to know you” period among the victims which is slightly tedious and basic as we learn who is who among the “mercenaries.” However it becomes obvious that this time is also being used by the protagonists to set the trap for the humans and begin the hunting.
I liked the movie, I thought the action was well placed and the visuals and special effects helped frame the story and gave you a sense of “duck out of the water” experience for all the humans. My only disappointment was that Fishburne’s character was poorly used and underused for what I believe ended up being both a token and stereotypical appearance. It was a great acting job, but his pedigree deserved more than he got in this movie. Adrien Brody’s character of Royce moves the action, and a pleasant and surprisingly, though subtle, sexy insert was Alice Braga (who is the niece of Sonia Braga, and for those of you old enough to remember her, she was considered one of the sexiest and most beautiful women in the world during the 1970′s and 80′s), who is just as tough as the males.
An international cast of actors lends to multiracial ethnicity in the movie which seems to be both the goal and the norm these days, but all the actors perform well, and are believable. I enjoyed the movie, and will be buying the DVD when it comes out to add to my collection. An interesting note: dark Horse Comics created a four issue mini-series prequel to the movie which will give viewers insight into both Fishburne’s and Brody’s characters, and leads directly into the movie.
The movie was very good, but I would have preferred more of an all out battle with the predators. However, that is not what the movie was about, and other than the “set up” which slowed the movie down for me I understood why they did it. Finally, Topher Grace’s character didn’t surprise me all that much, and he ended up being a little “to type” as well. It was worth the money though.
Grade: A-
