Finally, a re-envisioning that hits the mark.By now you've probably already heard that Predators (2010) is your typical trill ride of summer movie proportions that pays tribute to the original while adding to the mythology of the Predator universe. In this regard the film was everything I expected it to be: action-packed, fast-paced and full of alien cat and mouse tactics. Brody is remarkably convincing as lead bad-ass and resident "grinch" mercenary Royce and the rest of the cast falls into their respective roles as well (however stereotypical they may be).
Of course, not everyone makes it out alive (big surprise) as each killer is picked off one by one, hunted by an apparently new breed of Predator. The story, which really does carry the spirit of the original, doesn't really deviate from its main hook (alien hunters killing human beings) which left little time for me to get know the cast beyond their basic MO. Its also funny to see how less dramatic Brody's trap-setting sequence was than Arnold's (wha- no musical montage?), but it's intelligently executed and offers a chance for us to see some new Predator tech at work.
Speaking of the Predators, the film introduces us to three all-new alien hunters who seem much larger and scarier than past incarnations. There's even a brief fight sequence between one of the new Predators and his smaller brethren which unfortunately comes to an end all too soon. The look and technology of the new alien breed is impressive, but I couldn't help to feel a little disappointed by how easy they are dispatched by their human prey. I won't give away how they meet their end, suffice to say that it happens much to quickly for beings touted in the beginning as being proficiently deadly hunters of all game... even their own kind.
And that's really the film's only flaw: predictability. Despite some interesting additions, such as the "Predator Hounds" and a downright shameful M. Night Shyamalan-inspired twist near the end, you pretty much know who makes it to the end within the first 15 minutes. I certainly wouldn't let this deter you from seeing it at all since its nonetheless deftly entertaining, but it would have been nice to see a signature Quentin Tarantino middle finger to conformity by having Brody die off in the first act much like Feast managed to do. Regardless, its a delight to see on the big screen and a nice will be a nice addition to your DVD collection whenever it drops later this year.
I had pretty much the same reaction, as the respect for the original really won me over. Good stuff, good sir!