This long gestating sequel finally sees the light of day and, surprise, it's actually pretty good. After the dreadful AVP movies, it's nice to see ole lizard head back. I know Predators 2 had it's detractors but I thought it wasn't as bad as the critics made it out to be. This one is much the same as it was savaged by critics and held up to some esteem by the fanboys. It's fast, fun and exciting.
The movie begins with a bang as Adrian Brody's Royce wakes up mid-plummet. As he crashes to the ground, others follow such as Mexican drug enforcer Cuchillo (Danny Trejo), CIA Isabella (Alice Braga), the doctor Edwin (Topher Grace) and death row inmate Stans (Walter Goggins). When they discover they are no longer in Kansas anymore, they are forced to band together to survive against being hunted by Predators. The movie moves at a brisk pace with Lawrence Fishburne showing up briefly as an insane straggler who has survived being hunted for the last decade.
The script is top notch and has been stuck in development hell for some time now. Rodriguez was originally supposed to direct as well but had to drop out due to scheduling concerns. His screenplay was rewritten a tad by two newcomers but keep most of what Rodriguez's original had. Directed by relative newcomer Nimrod Antal (what a name), this guy's got a real future having done Vacancy and Armored, both better then they should have been. All in all, a good rental. Plenty of blood and gore for the non faint of heart of course and the requisite Hispanic girl from the three predators films that matter keep this film grounded. Adrian Brody has never been my favorite actor but he picks good roles and this one is no different. Topher Grace got some flack on the message boards but I liked his character so tough. Rent this if you liked Predator. Skip it if you thought it was testosterone madness.
3 and 1/2 stars out of 5
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