Picture waking up thousands of feet in the air in a free fall with what feels like a parachute strapped to your back, but the chute won't open. Instead of falling to your death, the high-tech parachute opens at a specific altitude, dropping the wearer into an unfamiliar jungle that's much like the dense forest of the Amazon.
This is how "Predators" opens up, with a bang and with all people playing the part of a bad dude.
Adrien Brody is joined shortly thereafter by five other bewildered, multicultural, armed bad dudes - and Topher Grace. As this band comes together, they quickly begin to deduce where they are. It is obvious to the viewer, of course.
What else could you conclude with a title like "Predators," even if you haven't seen any of the Predator films or any trailers?
Much like the original "Predator," there is some time before any actual predators show up. In fact, we're first exposed to the predator's hunting dogs at around the time everyone concludes they are being hunted by something or someone.
Fortunately, this isn't just a turkey shoot. Most of the players in this twisted game are experienced in combat or some other form of killing. They're also equipped with their weapon of choice; from mini-gun to sniper rifle (they were not relieved of their weapons when abducted).
Two of the hunted are up a creek without firearms; Stans (Walton Goggins), the death row inmate who is armed only with a shank, and Edwin (Topher Grace), who first appears to be a gifted doctor who is completely out of place.
Just to clear the air, this one acknowledges the first "Predator" film, but not the sequel, which took place in a then-future Los Angeles of 1997 and starred unlikely hero Danny Glover. Though the Alien vs. Predator movies aren't specifically referenced, this film does retain the AVP-established rule that younger predators hunt in threes. This one also gives us quite a bit more background about predator culture.
The film even introduces us to a new, larger predator than we're used to.
This is a good movie all around, especially with the great performance by a
surprisingly-ripped Brody. You might not even mind the somewhat diminished role
played by Lawrence Fishburne or even the wimpy role by Topher, who may actually
surprise you in the end.
3 Buckets
