Uh-Oh...my Predators review by chrisisall

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Uh-Oh...my Predators review

POSTED BY: CHRISISALL
UPDATED: Thursday, October 21, 2010 17:33
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VIEWED: 3735
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Wednesday, October 20, 2010 7:50 AM

Just rented it last night.
Lemme say, the cast was excellent, the musical score from John Debney was more than I could have ever HOPED for in a Predators movie, the production was superb, the initial concept was fascinating, and the photography was flawless.

Now.. the cons:

Select to view spoiler:

Now, I'm all FOR giving nods to previous films, but after they discover they're not on Earth, the movie did little more than degenerate into a slightly higher-tek remake of the first one. Even the characters had the same general racial make up & number. The black dude died pretty early. The Latino chick was pretty. The main character had a accent. The big guy had a mini-gun. And, of course, the shirtless finale.
Except it didn't REALLY end. The have to get off that f***ing planet now.
Sequel anyone?
Not for me.

Basically, this movie reminded me just how fresh & entertaining AVP: Requiem was...

Anyone else see it?

The laughing Chrisisall

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Wednesday, October 20, 2010 8:23 AM

THESOMNAMBULIST

Hey Chris.

Saw this just the other day and I pretty much agree with you on the whole. It did feel more like just a remake of the first.

Select to view spoiler:

The one note of difference was the inherent distrust the characters had in each other. That basically was there all the way through (and I liked that). However I was a little disappointed that, that 'Topher' guy was basically playing the part of Paul Rieser as 'Burke' in Aliens and that was just unecessary.
In all it passed by OK but not what I was hoping for. All the sequels lack that inherent menace that the first predator had and that made it stand out.

Only thing I don't agree with you is that it was less than Alien Vs Predator Requiem. I thought it leagues better than that from just pure direction alone. All in all it's OK, but were it a school report the message coming back would be: 'Must try harder'

Brody was interesting as a hero though. Unusual choice.....

Cartoons - http://cirqusartsandmusic.blogspot.com

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Wednesday, October 20, 2010 8:32 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by TheSomnambulist:

were it a school report the message coming back would be: 'Must try harder'

My message would be: 'Lacks originality'

Heh heh

The laughing Chrisisall

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Wednesday, October 20, 2010 8:38 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by TheSomnambulist:

Only thing I don't agree with you is that it was less than Alien Vs Predator Requiem. I thought it leagues better than that from just pure direction alone.

Okay, yeah, it had a lot of momentum. And it was WAY better than the first AVP, but AVP: Requiem has my respect for its originality within the constrictions of a sequel. Also, the fact that it had practically NO budget to work with astounds me even more. Bottom line: I bought AVP: Requiem used & cheep; I don't expect to ever see Predators again. I mean, I already own it in a purer form:

The laughing Chrisisall

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Wednesday, October 20, 2010 9:03 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:

Basically, this movie reminded me just how fresh & entertaining AVP: Requiem was...

God, I hope that was sarcasm....

AvP:R was one of the worst films Ive seen in recent years.

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

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Wednesday, October 20, 2010 9:08 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Storymark:
Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:

Basically, this movie reminded me just how fresh & entertaining AVP: Requiem was...

God, I hope that was sarcasm....

AvP:R was one of the worst films Ive seen in recent years.

As a REAL movie, it was surely lacking- as an expensive FAN film, it weren't too bad (though not nearly as good as Browncoats: Redemption).

My point is, that all the money in the world doesn't buy the making of a good movie without a good script- and Predators clearly demonstrates that IMO.

The laughing Chrisisall

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Wednesday, October 20, 2010 9:13 AM

I think I'd rather watch a marathon of Predators than watch Requiem again.

Oh, and for what it's worth - Requiem was the one with the bigger budget.

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

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Wednesday, October 20, 2010 10:00 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Storymark:

Oh, and for what it's worth - Requiem was the one with the bigger budget.

NO WAY!!
really?

Then yeah, not too good.

But I STILL like it better than Predators.
Predators should have been at LEAST as good as Predators 2!!!!!!

The laughing Chrisisall

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Wednesday, October 20, 2010 10:04 AM

I thought it was about on par with Predator 2 myself.

And while the studio has never actually said what they spent on Requiem, the reports place it anywhere from $45 to $60 million, whereas Predators was budgeted for $40. And it being a Robert Rodriguez production, it may well have come in under that.

I expect the next installment (which has already been greenlit) to go a bit further outside the box. the mandate on this one was to be as close to the original as possible to erase the stink of the versus movies from the public consciousness.

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

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Wednesday, October 20, 2010 10:05 AM

Okay, AVP budget: 60mill
AVP : Requiem budget: 40mill
Predator 2 budget: 35mill
Predators budget: 38mill

Predator budget: 15mill!!!!!!!!

Holy backers, Batman!

That's truly impressive!!!
(however, these are not in adjusted dollars)

The laughing Chrisisall

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Wednesday, October 20, 2010 10:09 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Storymark:
I thought it was about on par with Predator 2 myself.

We will agree to disagree on THAT, I conjure...

The laughing Chrisisall

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Wednesday, October 20, 2010 10:41 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Storymark:
the mandate on this one was to be as close to the original as possible

Including another bare-chested final encounter, AND another "What the f**k are you"?????
You must mean, the mandate was to REBOOT the franchise, right?

I mean, if I had never SEEN Predator, I woulda thought this was the coolest movie ever. Is that the intention? To snag peeps who don't watch those OLD pre-CGI junky films?

ETA: whoah, gross is over 126mill now... I guess that says it.

The laughing Chrisisall

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Wednesday, October 20, 2010 11:12 AM

Uh... cuz bare chested action heroes and throw-back lines (like in the classic Predator 2) are uncommon....?

And the intention was to rebuild interest in a series that had completely killed off any public good will with those awful AvP movies. And it worked. Sorry.

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

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Wednesday, October 20, 2010 11:14 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Storymark:
Uh... cuz bare chested action heroes and throw-back lines are uncommon....?

LOL, cut the snark, Storyboy, you know what I mean!!!

The laughing Chrisisall

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Wednesday, October 20, 2010 11:17 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
LOL, cut the snark,

You do know who you're talking to, yes?

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

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Wednesday, October 20, 2010 11:19 AM

Yes, I have met the snark, and it is you.

Predators. 126 mill.

I am very old....

The Hallenbeck Chrisisall

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Wednesday, October 20, 2010 11:35 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Storymark:

And the intention was to rebuild interest in a series that had completely killed off any public good will with those awful AvP movies. And it worked. Sorry.

Now that I think on it- no worries.
I'll always have Ahnult & Danny & Kevin.

The next generation has all the CGI goodness & expanded visual possibilities.

It's the way of things.

The ahnal nathrack oothvas bethod dothneeal deenvay Chrisisall

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Wednesday, October 20, 2010 12:34 PM

Don't get me wrong. I didn't love this one. The first one is the only one I really consider worth a damn. I just found this one less bad than the last couple.

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

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Wednesday, October 20, 2010 12:38 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Storymark:
Don't get me wrong. I didn't love this one. The first one is the only one I really consider worth a damn. I just found this one less bad than the last couple.

At least Aliens had a great 1st AND 2nd outing...

The laughing Chrisisall

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Wednesday, October 20, 2010 3:29 PM

America loves a winner!

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
Select to view spoiler:

Now, I'm all FOR giving nods to previous films, but after they discover they're not on Earth, the movie did little more than degenerate into a slightly higher-tek remake of the first one.

" Saw that comin'. "

"The modern definition of 'racist' is someone who is winning an argument with a liberal."

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Wednesday, October 20, 2010 3:55 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Storymark:
Don't get me wrong. I didn't love this one. The first one is the only one I really consider worth a damn. I just found this one less bad than the last couple.

I just watched it again to be sure...
Okay, I'll agree that it wasn't that bad.
And I WILL rent the next one to see how they get off the planet.

The laughing Chrisisall

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Wednesday, October 20, 2010 10:19 PM

THESOMNAMBULIST

Hey Chris.

I'm a little like you on this, that I want to see them 'do' Predator again. Thing is though, looking at that still you attached of Arnie and Co, I realise that it'll be next to impossible.

Primarily because back in '87 Predator came with Arnie as he was back then, with all his notoriety. In that he was a big star, known as The Terminator and as the quintessential action hero. So that when he was face to face with The Predator it wasn't just 'Dutch' (his character) up there against The Predator it was Arnie Shwarzzie - The tough as nails uber action hero of the decade. This was the ultimate conflict, this was why the duel was so compelling. And looking at that still you can see the physicality of it all... Nowadays It's just not there.

I mean it's impressive that Brody obviously pumped up but really - he's a squirt next to Arnie! As were all the others.

The battle is physical and brutal not cerebral as with Alien and Ripley. So call me a pessimist but they'll never be a Predator film that matches up to the original. Not even close.

(...I think I took Arnie for granted back in the 80's... His spectre haunts the action genre somewhat.)

Cartoons - http://cirqusartsandmusic.blogspot.com

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Thursday, October 21, 2010 1:58 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
Quote:
Originally posted by Storymark:
I thought it was about on par with Predator 2 myself.

We will agree to disagree on THAT, I conjure...

Sorry, Chris, but I liked this one way better than Predator 2.

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Thursday, October 21, 2010 6:24 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by beatupplenty:
Sorry guys but I thought those movies were only supposed to show action and things blowing up. I didn't know you were expecting a good story too.

And there you illustrate the difference between a good action movie and a bad one.

The original Predator is even covered in a lot of screenwriting courses, as an example of an extremely well structured film.

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

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Thursday, October 21, 2010 7:03 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by TheSomnambulist:
back in '87 Predator came with Arnie as he was back then, with all his notoriety. In that he was a big star, known as The Terminator and as the quintessential action hero. So that when he was face to face with The Predator it wasn't just 'Dutch' (his character) up there against The Predator it was Arnie Shwarzzie - The tough as nails uber action hero of the decade. This was the ultimate conflict, this was why the duel was so compelling. And looking at that still you can see the physicality of it all... Nowadays It's just not there.

The battle is physical and brutal not cerebral as with Alien and Ripley. So call me a pessimist but they'll never be a Predator film that matches up to the original. Not even close.

Wow, I believe this sums it up perfectly.

Looking back, I think they were going for a tight LITTLE action flick, expecting it to be good, but unaware they were making THE definitive 'Man vs. evil alien' masterpiece.

*Strange thought sidebar*
Imagine if Bruce Lee (from his Enter The Dragon days) had starred in Predator?
What kind of final confrontation might THAT have been like???

The laughing Chrisisall

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Thursday, October 21, 2010 7:08 AM

Imagine how different things would be had they stayed with the Van Damme-in-a-bug-suit Predator, rather than the monster we know and love?

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

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Thursday, October 21, 2010 7:13 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by cljohnston108:

Sorry, Chris, but I liked this one way better than Predator 2.

WANT...SOME...CANDY?

The laughing Chrisisall

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Thursday, October 21, 2010 7:15 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Storymark:
Imagine how different things would be had they stayed with the Van Damme-in-a-bug-suit Predator,

Thanks for the visual, Story.

The laughing Chrisisall

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Thursday, October 21, 2010 7:21 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
WANT...SOME...CANDY?

Thanks, but I'm a diabetic.

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Thursday, October 21, 2010 7:27 AM

Everyone's a comedian around here...

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Thursday, October 21, 2010 7:45 AM

In reading other's reviews of Predators, something got mentioned more than once which I thought was spot on, in the first & second movies, the sense of extreme danger was high; in Predators however, it was much lower, and the endless ammo didn't help.
I guess the crappy Predators hunt on their own turf, only the experienced, truly badass ones travel to other planets- could that be it?

The laughing Chrisisall

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Thursday, October 21, 2010 7:50 AM

Maybe this was their training ground?

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Thursday, October 21, 2010 7:54 AM

Makes sense. Dropping a group of peeps into a hoard of first movie-level Predators wouldn't have made for a very long film, I conjure.

The laughing Chrisisall

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Thursday, October 21, 2010 9:00 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by cljohnston108:
Maybe this was their training ground?

I believe that was said in the film. And the director and producer said as much in interviews. So, yeah.

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

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Thursday, October 21, 2010 9:07 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
Quote:
Originally posted by Storymark:
Imagine how different things would be had they stayed with the Van Damme-in-a-bug-suit Predator,
Thanks for the visual, Story.

The laughing Chrisisall

I can go one better:

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

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Thursday, October 21, 2010 9:15 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Storymark:
Quote:
Originally posted by cljohnston108:
Maybe this was their training ground?

I believe that was said in the film. And the director and producer said as much in interviews. So, yeah.

They said "game preserve" & "hunting ground" in the film, don't recall anybody talking about "training ground".

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Thursday, October 21, 2010 9:46 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by cljohnston108:
Quote:
Originally posted by Storymark:
Quote:
Originally posted by cljohnston108:
Maybe this was their training ground?

I believe that was said in the film. And the director and producer said as much in interviews. So, yeah.

They said "game preserve" & "hunting ground" in the film, don't recall anybody talking about "training ground".

Okay, I wasn't positive. I was probably combining what was in the movie with what the filmmakers said.

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

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Thursday, October 21, 2010 10:18 AM

Yikes!

NO RUBBER ALIENS!!!!

The laughing Chrisisall

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Thursday, October 21, 2010 5:33 PM

Have you seen this?

Give the franchise to Sandy Collera (director - also director of Hunter Prey

) & Scott Rhodes (stunt/fight choreographer) and see what THEY could do with it!!

The laughing Chrisisall

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