The Predator

The Predator is a total reinvention of the franchise and one for the better but it does take time to adjust.

The original Predator established the franchise as a true horror classic and although many fans long for that mix of craftsmanship and suspense you have to adjust and evolve. Down through the winding slush of A vs. P, a previously failed reboot and now this… The Predator.

From the very beginning director/writer Shane Black (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) sets the stage for his new reality with cliché Star Trekscenes, to campy set stages, corny dialogue and grotesques horror.

Ohh… and Olivia Munn Naked.

Haha…

You pervs!  You’re like Sold!

She actually is within the context of the film but not in the shot seen by the audience.

Damn… should have lead the review with that.

I digress.  Basically yes, based on those quick takes it should be bad and there are many eye rolling moments, especially when it comes to the incompetence of the military intelligence that “catches what falls out of the sky” and it’s mercenary goons there solely for the slaughter.

However, once you allow this world to take place of the predator franchise you knew it becomes a really enjoyable film.

Led by Agent Pena’s former partner from Narcos, Quinn (Boyd Holbrook) and his ‘Wildbunch’ crew of throwaway personnel, Munn, Thomas Jane, Keegan Michael-Key to name a few, this group banters, pouts, cries and kicks-ass throughout; toward a very satisfying finale.

Somewhere David Ayer is watching The Predatorthinking, “oh, so that’s how my Suicide Squadmovie should have went?  It should have been fun.  It should have had more comedy.  Yes the story should have made sense in its stupid, unrealistic but entertaining way.”

Lets hope he learns from his mistakes before taking on Gotham City Sirens.

Part of the fun from this film is that there’s a tongue and cheek meta critique of itself going on throughout but it still manages to give the audience it’s twist and turns a good script should deliver.

Don’t come in with the expectations of being awed and amazed because basically you’ve already seen what he need to know in the trailers.

Big Predator hunts little predator and us mere humans stand in the way of its quest and somehow, someway Agent Pena’s former partner must save the day or the world?  Or possibly the universe or galaxy?  I’m not quite sure.

But what I am sure about is that The Predatoris a really fun ride at a time when cinemas are bare of them.