Predators

Reviewed by: Luke Walkley

Released: 7th July 2010

Directed by: Nimrod Antal

Starring: Adrien Brody, Topher Grace, Lawrence Fishburne

Certificate: 15

With producer Robert Rodriguez working closely on the reimagining of the 80’s/90’s series, things looked bright for Predators. An interesting trailer and a seemingly well picked cast, including Oscar Winner Adrien Brody and Lawrence Fishburne left a lot of interest in the release.

The plot follows a group of unrelated soldiers, mercenaries, doctors and convicts who find themselves in a mysterious jungle after apparently waking up in freefall. Once on the ground, they realise they are not the only ones in this ‘jungle’ and come to the conclusion they are being hunted by what they only know as ‘Predators’.

So that’s the plot, that’s the trailer, that’s the entire premise of the film summed up in around three lines. That’s really all there is to it. We meet each character instantly, each questions why they are there, no-one knows and then they join up and move on to the next parachute they see. Once there is a small gathering of them, with no real information gained, Adrien Brody somehow works out they are being hunted as part of the predator’s game.

From the trailer and related news pieces and interviews it appeared Lawrence Fishburne was playing a major part, however, once he meets up with the gang, he spends about five minutes  of his considerably short screen time talking to himself and the rest sleeping.

Another problem is having seen the original Predator, with a real action hero, Arnie, being the main character, as despite his talents, Adrien Brody cannot do fierce. nor angry.

It wasn’t a complete travesty, some well choreographed action scenes split up the tediousness, and a couple of the minor actors played a more important role in making the film watchable than probably intended. The special effects were average at best. The Predators cloak being the highlight, but even then it felt cheap.

The dialogue fell flat, one or two funny exchanges but other than that, all that seemed to happen was the group would walk, stop, look confused at something or other, and then fire at thin air. It seems another original idea has been taken purely for the monetary gain it will bring with a re-vamp.

Predators is a horribly pointless film, moving too fast and never really hooking you in. A poor effort from a distinguished cast and director, failed to cause any of the emotions it should have. No connection with the characters means that you don’t care if they live or die…

With a tagline ‘Fear is Reborn’ the outcome suggests that perhaps Papa Fear should’ve worn a condom…