Predators (15.)
Directed by Nimrod Antal.
Starring Adrien Brody, Alice Braga, Topher Grace, Walton Goggins, Danny Trejo. 107 mins.
There's a lot of 80s junk being regurgitated in cinemas this month (the A-Team and Karate Kid are on their way) but bringing back Predator, a series that has so far failed to produce a single decent instalment, is surely a reboot too far. It began with a forgettable Schwarzenegger flick and went on to the Alien vs. Predator pair, a mismatch as ridiculous as The Godfather vs. Snatch.
The interest in this revival is that it is overseen by Robert Rodriquez. Sin City and Planet Terror showed to be a man able to make something wonderful from genre fodder. The script is based on one he wrote back in the 90s and he is producing for the talented Hungarian, Antal (Kontrol, Vacancy) to direct. The result isn’t a classic but by dint of being at least serviceably enjoyable, it’s the best Predator movie so far.
The premise is a nicely absurdist twist on the original film, Eight Action Heroes In Search Of a Plot. A collection of abducted mercenaries and killers find themselves marooned in a strange jungle, after coming round in the middle of a parachute drop. They have no idea why they have been brought together though the audience, of course, knows they have been gathered up to be hunted by the ruthless extraterrestrials of the title.
Ultimately Predators doesn’t take you anywhere of great interest but the trip up the garden path is pleasant enough. The design of the Predators has been tweaked so they look less like Rastafarian caricatures; there is some nice dialogue and a few good performances. Halfway through they even spring a Surprise Guest Star appearance in the style of **** ******’s unannounced cameo in Zombieland.
The only major mistake is casting Oscar winner Adrien Brody as the action hero. He growls and talks tough but never convinces as a cold-hearted soldier of fortune. He looks more suited to heading up Pee Wee Herman's Vietnam Adventure. Never mind a Predator; I wouldn't back him in a fight with Twilight's Edward Cullenhands.
Directed by Nimrod Antal.
Starring Adrien Brody, Alice Braga, Topher Grace, Walton Goggins, Danny Trejo. 107 mins.
There's a lot of 80s junk being regurgitated in cinemas this month (the A-Team and Karate Kid are on their way) but bringing back Predator, a series that has so far failed to produce a single decent instalment, is surely a reboot too far. It began with a forgettable Schwarzenegger flick and went on to the Alien vs. Predator pair, a mismatch as ridiculous as The Godfather vs. Snatch.
The interest in this revival is that it is overseen by Robert Rodriquez. Sin City and Planet Terror showed to be a man able to make something wonderful from genre fodder. The script is based on one he wrote back in the 90s and he is producing for the talented Hungarian, Antal (Kontrol, Vacancy) to direct. The result isn’t a classic but by dint of being at least serviceably enjoyable, it’s the best Predator movie so far.
The premise is a nicely absurdist twist on the original film, Eight Action Heroes In Search Of a Plot. A collection of abducted mercenaries and killers find themselves marooned in a strange jungle, after coming round in the middle of a parachute drop. They have no idea why they have been brought together though the audience, of course, knows they have been gathered up to be hunted by the ruthless extraterrestrials of the title.
Ultimately Predators doesn’t take you anywhere of great interest but the trip up the garden path is pleasant enough. The design of the Predators has been tweaked so they look less like Rastafarian caricatures; there is some nice dialogue and a few good performances. Halfway through they even spring a Surprise Guest Star appearance in the style of **** ******’s unannounced cameo in Zombieland.
The only major mistake is casting Oscar winner Adrien Brody as the action hero. He growls and talks tough but never convinces as a cold-hearted soldier of fortune. He looks more suited to heading up Pee Wee Herman's Vietnam Adventure. Never mind a Predator; I wouldn't back him in a fight with Twilight's Edward Cullenhands.
