The Predator 2018 - Review

The Predator 2018

In my estimation, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 1987 “Predator” is one of the top ten science fiction films of all time. So, with that in mind its not hard for some of us who can recall the imaginative conceptualization of the original may be habitually drawn to revisiting that franchise over and over again in subsequent sequels over the past 31 years. And while most of the sequels developed since 1987 have been rather disappointing to say the least, it’s still hard personally for me to pass up on any new attempts in capturing the magic of its original. And therefore in spite of the Rotten Tomato’s low score of 34, I still ventured bravely onward to my local theater Thursday night in the hopes they (the professional film critics) were somehow wrong in Director’s Shane Black (an actor in the 1987 version) revisit to the franchise in his “The Predator - 2018”.

Taking place seemingly in present day we see a Predator ship hyper approaching earth from the outer reaches of space to Earth. Presumably once again the hunt is on for human flesh, not in a jungle this time, but in some unknown unnamed small-town street suburbia area of America. And without any mystery we quickly see the universe's most lethal hunters are now much stronger, smarter and deadlier than ever before, having devised a way to upgraded and altered themselves. 

When a bright young boy named Rory McKenna (Jacob Tremblay aka “The Room) receives a package from his Army Ranger Sniper father named “Captain Quinn McKenna” containing “trophies” from an encounter he had with the alien while on a mission, the young son accidentally triggers another alien Predator’s return to Earth. What happens next is an all-out war between the Predator and “Captain Quinn McKenna” and a ragtag crew of  fellow soldiers, along with John Hopkins renowned  biologist Dr. Casey Bracket (Olivia Munn……..formerly girlfriend to Green Bay Packer QB "A - A - Ron Rodgers") to preventing the possible end of the human race.

REVIEW: “The Predator” on one hand is never boring at all, but on the other hand its simply not very well made – directed – written. But let me as objectively as I can give you my pluses and minuses of this effort.

First, to Director Black’s credit, he decided from the beginning of this 1:41 minute running time film to put his foot on the gas pedal and push his story at a 100 MPH. Not 99 or 98 nor 101 or 102, but steady as you go 100 MPH and therefore the film stays true throughout its chaotic whirlwind development which for me prevents anyone from over analyzing some of the significant and many flaws in its development and execution. The film moves at the breathless pace of someone trying to stay on a horse saddled ride in an amusement park called "The Hurricane Florence".

Next,……………..Who’s the star of this film? Yep neither could I.  In 1987 Arnold was coming off huge box office successes with “Conan” and  “The Terminator”. He was on the precipice of super stardom, who was also physically unlike anyone we had seen in films before with his ripped muscular physique and Austrian accent. He was perfectly cast as a counter weight physical adversary to the equally imposing and brutally strong Predator. To the naked eye they were equals both in brains and braun. In this 2018 effort that element is totally gone as this cast of actors looked more like a bunch of ordinary pedestrians coming out of a Wal-Mart who were caught shoplifting tooth paste than real soldiers actually capable of fighting a seven foot plus tall alien “mano a mano” as Arnold bravely did. The film desperately needed another A list actor, say  The Rock or Vin Diesel or Jamie Foxx with an establish brand to carry the film’s core plot to its finale. Also, Olivia Munn while very gorgeous to look at did not add anything to the film's subplot that was either unique or special. Again, casting another actress say Jennifer Garner, Naomi Watts, Uma Thurman or even a Cate Blanchett would have added a much more needed heft to that role with some mental, emotional and physical gravitas. Simple eye candy who can hold and shoot a gun and curse at aliens did not work for me.

Second, the dialogue at times bordered on mumbling. There were moments where  the cast were trying to be either very serious or trying overly hard to tell a joke. I literally could not understand at time what they the hell they were saying. And while I appreciated the numerous attempts of some comedic levity in the film, at times the jokes simply fell flat; sounding more like just empty ordinary banter masquerading as people who were trying too hard to be clever and slick. The one exception was early on when Captain Quinn was trying to explain to his potential crew what the Predator looked like. He referenced a certain real life pissed off celebrity we all know. Now the real life actor may have not liked the joke referencing them in that way but it made me laugh out loud.

Third, the aggregate plot idea of why the Predator were returning to earth more bulked up was rather smart, but they didn’t delved into it more thoroughly as they should or could. The film should of spent some time going to the “Predator Nation” home planet  (which we have never seen) to explore who they were, the social structure of decision making, how they were devising their new strategies against humans. When this key plot point was revealed in the final minutes of the film it was explained almost as a throw line that was barely coherent or relevant at that point, all the while in the mist of the film’s many fierce nonstop, perpetual, relentless knock down firefight, blood bath confrontations. The only time the film took a break and I mean the only exception at all was early on in the film after the opening fight between the Predator and the gang. After barely escaping with their lives they casually decide to pull over to the side of the road to throw down a few drinks in a hotel and to talk about their feelings and to also flirt a bit with a semi unconscious Dr. Bracket who is now all alone with six overly testosterone laden sweaty, bloody, stinky men. To me the scene seemed silly - corny - needless.

Ultimately, “The Predator - 2018” is missing the key ingredients of raw tension, natural foreboding fear of the unknown and the authentic heroism from the 1987 version. This effort is largely filled with forgettable cliché dialog and action scenes that drew off from previous films, along with action scenes within the film itself that felt at times that were repetitive. But from an Adrenalin level there were no short comings at all and for that this Predator effort is not as bad as the 34 RT is giving it. .................Not at all, but not by much. 

Word is "The Predator 2" is close to being green-lighted with Arnold, maybe that will help next time.

2.50 Stars