Today’s quick review: Predators. Eight soldiers, mercenaries, and killers wake up in an unfamiliar jungle with no knowledge of how they got there. Following the lead of a grizzled mercenary (Adrien Brody) and an IDF sniper (Alice Braga), they soon learn that they are the prey in an alien hunt on a distant planet. To survive the hunt and find a way back home, the humans will have to turn the tables on the trio of aliens who hare hunting them.
Predators is a sci-fi action movie and the third film in the main Predator series. Predators returns to the jungle environment of the original Predator, but with a twist: the jungle is an alien hunting ground filled with traps and other surprises. The film is a patient, suspenseful cat-and-mouse game between the humans and their invisible hunters, punctuated by bursts of violence as the two groups clash.
Predators makes a few additions to the franchise, beginning with three new Predator designs and a slew of new technology. The film has more overt sci-fi elements than its predecessors, with more casual use of alien technology, alien creatures, and once-hidden aspects of Predator society. The changes generally serve the movie well, but they do somewhat dilute the mystique of the Predator and take the series further from its action-survival roots.
Taken on its own, Predators is a competently executed sci-fi action flick with few real missteps. Adrien Brody is an unusual pick for an action star, but his consistent performance is enough to sell the role. The plot covers all the ground it needs to but not much more. Its twists are predictable but satsifying, and they help deliver up a steady stream of action, combining traps and ambushes with guns-blazing firefights, all backed by slick CGI.
Predators is a solid choice for fans of the sci-fi genre. It falls short of the first film in terms of originality and execution quality, but its action is enough to make it a fun, violent popcorn watch. For another sci-fi action movie with a similar feel, try Pitch Black or Riddick. For one with similar dangers, impressive monsters, and more polish overall, try Kong: Skull Island.
6.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for a good premise, satisfying action, and decent overall execution.