[MacBlayne]

PREDATORS

Have you seen Predator? Did you like it? Would you like more of the same? You would? Then open up for Predators!

It’s hard to review a film that essentially remakes the first film. Obviously, it can’t compete. Despite a surprisingly stacked cast, the characters are paper-thin. The direction is reverent without standing out. The action is fine, without ever crossing over into memorable with the exception of a Predator dog attack.

The short length of this review indicates how little Predators brings to the table. It feels like a borderline reboot. Although it adds little bits of lore, such as a Predator civil war, and an alien planet, it does little with these concepts. The film exists to welcome back fans scared off by Predator 2 and the AvP films, as well as make new fans by not paying too much attention to the previous films.

Nothing is wrong with the film, really, The actors are clearly having fun. The photography is good without being awe-inspiring. The effects are good. The new Predator designs are good, but don’t capture the imagination like the previous efforts. The score is decent, but hardly one you’ll remember. It's the very definition of alright. It just wants to return to what it thinks fans of the first film wanted, and hint a little towards what it could expand to. Despite doing quite well in the box-office, this never got a follow-up for some reason. Maybe the studio forgot it existed too? Either way, it’s a serviceable romp that entertains and never overstays its welcome.