Today’s quick review: Predator 2. In 1997, gang violence has turned Los Angeles into a battleground. What begins as a routine investigation into a gang shootout takes a sinister turn when the police discover the bodies of criminals who have been killed and mutilated in inexplicable ways. As the bodies pile up, Lt. Mike Harrigan (Danny Glover) of the LAPD closes in on the culprit: an invisible alien who hunts humans for sport using advanced technology.
Predator 2 is a sci-fi action movie and the second film in the Predator series. Predator 2 shares its basic premise with the original Predator but transplants it to a new setting. Set in a violent, near-future Los Angeles, the movie pits a grizzled police lieutenant against an otherworldly killer in the midst of a brutal gang war. The sequel makes a few new additions to the canon but fails to replicate the drama and the tension of the original.
Predator 2 holds much of the same appeal as the first movie. The alien remains a menacing foe. Many of its old tricks make a comeback, while the new ones fit right in. The urban environment holds as much promise as the jungle and plays host to a number of vicious battles. The new additions to the lore are a credible attempt at expanding the franchise, and although the film makes a few missteps, it largely stays true to the feel of the first film.
But Predator 2 runs into a few problems that end up costing it. Danny Glover is a poor fit for the series, unable to match the alien’s savagery the way Arnold Schwarzenegger could. Where the first movie was self-contained and timeless, the second has aged poorly, thanks to its less isolated setting, off-the-wall cultural predictions, and 80s aesthetic. The movie also has less build-up than the original, resulting in a less titanic struggle.
Predator 2 is worth a watch if you’re a sci-fi fan in the mood for something tanse and violent. Fans of the first film may be disappointed by the drop in quality, but Predator 2 still has enough of the old appeal to be a decent watch. The premise remains compelling, and the film’s execution on it, though flawed, scores at least a partial hit. Skip it if you’re looking for a science fiction masterpiece or a cerebral plot.
For a more polished take on a similar premise, check out the original Predator. For a sci-fi action movie that captures the goofy side of the action genre, try Demolition Man. For a buddy cop action comedy that makes better use of Danny Glover’s talents, check out Lethal Weapon.
6.3 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for a strong premise, decent action, and mixed execution overall.