Predators

It is very clear that Roberto as a producer really took care (from the cast, to the director, to the soundtrack, etc.). I have to agree that the first half is more mysterious, more suspenseful, and much more atmospheric; the second half lags a bit compared to the first, but still the result is great. Seeing it in the cinema is a must! :))) (07/09/2010)

After “Arnie’s” first one, this is hands down the best film in the Predator universe, though the original holds that first place mainly for the cult status it has gained over the years. By this I mean that both are basically the same, but whereas Predators is intentionally silly in a cute 1980s way, in Predator  that’s unintentional and therefore better (or worse, depending on how you see it), thanks to is earnestness. Nimrod Antal proves that the fears about his choice as director were unwarranted. I wasn’t expecting any interesting directorial tricks, but Predators is a film where the craftsmanship and the sense for execution and atmosphere are more than enough. I had a little problem with Adrien Brody, who’s maybe a bit too good a character actor for the role. In short, Predators is almost excellent, I got exactly what I wanted. PS: “Die, you space faggot” is almost as great as “You’re one ugly motherfucker”… (07/08/2010)

Predators would like to appear as an enriching tribute to the original, but they turn out to be a weaker and oddly strange remake. Unfortunately, what worked twenty years ago as an uncompromising rampage now occasionally seems amusing and tiresome in a more psychological sense. The disappointment is even greater because the introduction, full of confused tough guys and tension, promised a lot. However, when the script decides to involve the strategic side of things in the finale and clumsily adds complications and twists involving the characters themselves, everything goes downhill. Not even the good acting duo of Brody-Grace can save it. 50% (01/08/2011)

Too bad there wasn’t more money, it could have been a great picture. Anyway, it’s made by fans, for fans, and that really showed on Predators. Blood, even the green kind, flows in copious amounts, there’s a thousand and one snappy lines, and, most importantly, it honors the original. Adrien Brody is ripped, I wasn’t expecting such a scrawny little guy to get in shape like this (maybe it’s time for me to hit the gym, if he can do it, why can’t I? :D) and his Royce is the classic type of soldier that you can’t help but fall in love with. The same goes for Oleg Taktarov and the Yakuza guy. A mention belongs to Topher Grace, who spiced the whole cast up very nicely. But casting Laurence Fishburne was a big mistake, he spoiled the whole middle of the movie. He wasn’t the right guy for the Noland character and overall held the movie back. Antal did a fine job, and thanks to him everything runs like clockwork, and the whole movie flows along nicely. This is also thanks to John Debney, who utilizes every last note of Silvestri’s original score, subtly embellishing it here and there for a more modern fit. P.S.: I wish I could say that more often about other translators too, but alas I cannot. (08/20/2010)

A tribute to the old films with all the trimmings. The slightly identical structure of the plot (a group of mercenaries, dying one by one, etc.) bothered me, but that’s probably the only flaw. The action starts right in the first seconds of the film, it has brilliant one-liners, solidly outlined characters, and the Adrien Brody is brutally cool, to the point where I didn't even want to believe it. The old good music, original sounds, and pleasantly “restored” effects, with their backbone still original, and even better. (07/23/2010)