Predators *** (2010, Adrien Brody, Laurence Fishburne, Topher Grace, Alice Braga, Danny Trejo) – Classic Movie Review 560

A small group of folk – most of them kick-ass fighters with big guns and knives – find themselves weirdly parachuted down onto an alien planet, largely covered in jungle. They soon encounter the famous alien race of Predators, who seem to have got them there just to hunt them down.

In 2010 it was good to have another Predator movie, even if this one plays more like a serviceable rerun of the original than something fresh and original. So it has a very Eighties retro feel to it, even down to the effects and music. Director Nimród Antal does well to keep the familiar scenario tense and exciting.

Adrien Brody, as the mercenary Royce, heads a cast of proper actors (Topher Grace as the doctor Edwin, Laurence Fishburne as Noland, Alice Braga as the military Isabelle, Danny Trejo as the drug lord Cuchillo) who give authority to the pretty-much-OK dialogue. And the whole medium-budget B-movie affair clips along pacily and entertainingly to a rather lame climax and inconclusive finish that, of course, sets up the next sequel. Annoying that, huh?

Otherwise, this is very decent sci-fi action entertainment that will certainly do till the next time. Predator is still alive and kicking.

© Derek Winnert 2013 Classic Film Review 560 derekwinnert.com