Movie Reviews

Movie Review: “The Predator” Identifies, Tracks And Exacerbates The Perpetrator Before Ever Revealing Its Mission

[yasr_overall_rating]
 

When a young boy accidentally triggers the universe’s most lethal hunters’ return to Earth, only a ragtag crew of ex-soldiers and a disgruntled science teacher can prevent the end of the human race.

It goes without saying that “The Predator” has been one of the most anticipated returns of the year. Those who have followed the massive Alien/Predator undertaking for more than thirty years, mainly wanted to know if this most recent offering of the killing-machine action-thriller is able to not only match the guts and glory of the past, but if the plot will allow for future expectations of an even greater destroyer to come to fruition. The five previous installations which include “Predator,” “Predator 2,” “Predators,” “AVP: Alien vs. Predator,” and “Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem,” have provided an anticipatory conglomerate that has transcended initial expectations and to be blunt, this installation doesn’t disappoint on its own, however, many fans who were intrigued with the original are hard-pressed to find an association that validates their loyalty.

Back in 1987, Arnold Schwarzenegger was the hero whose coordination of the bipartisan unit of deplorable helped to establish the beginning of what is now affectionately referred to as the “Franchise.” Loyal fans who have followed each undertaking have tried to establish a logical connection from one to another without much success and yet they are still hopeful. Particularly, with the interchangeable Predator vs. Alien pathway, a tangled web has been woven as to the rational life expectancy of a thriller who basic plot of human vs alien has been strengthened and weakened by a wide-angled and creative-minded director (Shane Black), whose advantage and disadvantage is that he had a role in the original.

In the opening scenes, the action comes quick and immediate as a family of humans and a family of aliens celebrate their dysfunction by accusatory behavior that relegates a future of revengeful action. The domino effect of this menial behavior sets the tone for the entire film and before a second handful of popcorn can be retrieved, body parts are flying as the earth becomes warned that the predator has awakened, and his only goal is to divide and conquer. A Scientist, Ex-soldier, and hunters are united under circumstances of disbelief, mental frailty, and betrayal, while a young, special needs and amazingly aware boy becomes the greatest diversion and the key to providing sanctity, humor, and insight throughout the remainder of the film. The rest is adventurous, scary, highly-technical, sci-fi fluff that provides an extensive backdrop and an increasingly difficult storyline that is jaw-dropping and fun to watch!

The cast plays an amazing set of characters who have achieved great success in other films and have brought that discipline and range to the forefront of “The Perpetrator’s” plot. Boyd Holbrook, Trevante Rhodes, Jacob Tremblay, Keegan-Michael Key, Olivia Munn, Sterling K. Brown, Thomas Jane, Alfie Allen, Agusto Aguilera, Yvonne Strahovski, and Brian A. Prince are individually and collectively outstanding in their roles and worthy of high praise. Kudos to creators Jim and John Thomas as well as 20th Century Fox, for starting this amazing path back in 1987, that has led to sequels, video games, novels, comic books, and yet another opportunity to add a notch to this Predator/Alien stratosphere!

In theaters Friday, September 14th

 

 

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Tracee Bond

Tracee is a movie critic and interviewer who was born in Long Beach and raised in San Diego, California. As a Human Resource Professional and former Radio Personality, Tracee has parlayed her interviewing skills, interest in media, and crossover appeal into a love for the Arts and a passion for understanding the human condition through oral and written expression. She has been writing for as long as she can remember and considers it a privilege to be complimented for the only skill she has been truly able to master without formal training!