So let’s just get this out of the way: the original Predator is a good and classic action movie, with tons to love (and should definitely not be taken too seriously). And maybe that’s how you should watch The Predator, the new entry into beaten franchise with significantly more downs than ups.
This new piece of the Predator Cinematic Universe is a direct continuation of the franchise. The first and second installments definitely happened (and I guess so did the criminally underrated Robert Rodriguez’s Predators, because we get a return of Predator dogs.)
When Shane Black was first announced as the director and writer of this reboot, every movie nerd worth their salt thought it was an excellent choice. Black is consistently a very good writer (albeit with a strange Christmas fascination) and his movies are consistently very good, as well. But if you liked the original’s dialogue, you’re in luck, because you’re about to hear every single quotable line spit right back at you in some form (what we like to call “The Force Awakens Special”). It almost took me out of the movie and was a very weird choice from a usually spot-on writing talent.
The story itself is pretty straight forward: a Predator lands on Earth and is captured along with some of their alien technology. Another (bigger, better) Predator comes to Earth in pursuit to get that stolen tech back. At the same time, the government (along the lines of Predator 2) is trying desperately to get all the knowledge from the captured Predator and its mysterious armor but, of course, that’s when shit hits the fan.
Although the plot remains relatively straight forward, the stellar action and good characters are bogged down by this reliance of meta-ness with the franchise. There are so many movies that have used this as a crutch, throwing a wrench into the natural flow for the sake of message board nostalgia, that is just tiresome, and no longer clever. (Calling them Predators but then explaining why they aren’t actually Predators … we get it.)
Let me take a step back: it feels like I am complaining a lot about a September reboot that stars a killer alien. Because there is a lot I like in the movie. There is a lot of good, fun, Shane-Black-trademarked dialogue, the actors are all solid (great to see Tom Jane getting roles), and the action is very much bad ass. When the Predator first starts destroying the lab, and it becomes full-on 100% violence and mayhem, I’m all in. The movie is a lot of fun and I am probably way over thinking it.
There are some twists in the movie that kind of make your eyes roll (seriously wait until they say the line “the next step of human evolution” and reveal the reason why Predators take the spines of their kills). But, that being said, there is one thing missing from all of these middling Predator sequels: Arnold Schwarzenegger. He is the only imposing force in all of the Predator movies that ever felt like he was going toe-to-toe with one of these aliens. No matter how much our rag-tag group of soldiers tried, it never seems like anything more than a tired exercise against a CG behemoth.
The Predator is packed with a lot of great creature action and a bunch of dudes getting messed up by aliens (CG blood included). It’s jam packed with that Shane Black dialogue and a killer 80’s score. There is a lot of fun to be had in this movie (and, of course, it sets up for another to get made). So maybe rewatch Predators, let Adrien Brody get you in the right mindset, and then spend this weekend checking out this new installment of the Predator franchise. This one may not have been the pure shot of adrenaline into the vein like the original, but as soon as it’s sequel gets announced … I will be there.
