The Predator

I love that Shane Black wrote and filmed it his way and didn't merely need to slavishly reference the original, like Predators did last time. He simply made a typical comedy full of verbal wars and unexpected situations (in which once again a child in danger plays an important role, but who is far from defenseless), and although he was mostly interested in entertainment, there is also a decent amount of tension. Even though I have a few reservations, mainly about the beginning and the end, I'm still very satisfied. I was also pleased by the unknown but sympathetic actors (Black's screenwriter helped them a lot by ensuring the viewer would like them, and their deaths are therefore seriously impressive), and I have to praise Henry Jackman, too, who played with Silvestri's music in a much more original way than John Debney did last time. (09/13/2018)

Shane Black upgrades everything imaginable, sets a fast pace and, especially with Dolby Atmos, successfully fulfills the requirements of a hit action movie (it’s taken up a level by the high-powered climax). What does not work, however, are the characters – there are quite a lot of them, not one of which is likable or interesting (Jacob Tremblay’s boy had “Spielbergian” potential but failed to fulfill it). The attempts at humor and coolness don’t work; moreover, they’re here at the expense of the atmosphere and tension for which I love the first installment and don’t mind the second. This one is a more action-packed and imaginative, but not much smarter Paul W.S. Anderson’s Alien vs. Predator. (09/20/2018)

It's not as bad as the ratings and reviews say, but from one of the most anticipated films of the year and the guy who wrote the screenplay for The Last Boy Scout, the untapped potential hurts quite a bit. As an action B-movie, though, the film works reliably. There's quite a bit of action, blood is not spared, and especially at the end it's a pretty decent carnage and the characters are pretty good. The prevailing triple combo is the likable Boyd Holbrook, the beautiful Olivia Munn and the witty Keegan-Michael Key, who finally has a role tailored to him and quite a lot of space. Disappointingly, the atmosphere is almost non-existent, the suspense is also lacking and I couldn't find any Wow effect or scene that made me want to see the film again. That the story is uninteresting and naive I won't criticize, because the old Predator doesn't have a sophisticated script either. For me, the film is hurt quite a bit by the fact that it takes place in a city instead of a jungle. Anyway, the film fulfils its purpose of entertaining, but unfortunately you will not take anything more away from it this time. 65% (09/15/2018)

If you're expecting a classic Predator, you'd better stay at home, because Shane Black will really piss you off. Unlike the first and second films, there is no sense of a fight for life, but instead the building of a mythology that is not very interesting and feels rather funny. Furthermore, Black completely mismanages the action scenes and especially towards the end Predator: Evolution turns into a proper mess. But on the other hand, I can't say I was bored. The running time is just right, Boyd Holbrook more or less handles the lead role, and the other soldiers are likeable, although, unfortunately, they occasionally make some unexpected and off-the-cuff remarks, as if the editor didn't quite get his job together, and they understandably are no match to Arnold's crew from the first film. The new Predator is actually a weird mix of an old movie, a war flick, a bit of dumb comedy, and something that has ambitions to have two more installments. As action sci-fi B-movies goes, it's fine. As a Predator movie, it’s not. (09/13/2018)

The best film in the last thirty years with the Predator in the main or a supporting role. Which is weak praise and a truly dismal business card for the series' sequels and spin-offs, since there are inconsistencies in almost every scene. For every good line, there is at least one awkward one, and every great action scene is followed by a WTF moment (all thanks to Thomas Jane and the overly used dogs). While the casting of Boyd Holbrook and Sterling K. Brown is on point, Olivia Munn's unfortunate presence is a disappointment, as I cannot believe her as a doctor even for a moment. Similarly, Jacob Tremblay, who never fails, seems to have stepped out of a different movie. But beware, this is unstoppable and relentless entertainment, and after almost falling asleep eight years ago while watching Predators, this is a big step forward, though unfortunately with a sad lack of care. Shane Black must have known how many fans look up to him as the savior of the entire franchise, and his sometimes self-parodic approach must have surely shocked many of them. (09/13/2018)