Predators (2010)

The critic calls it the sequel the 1987 original deserved, praising its hard-core sci-fi, explosive action and monster mayhem. They highlight the strong ensemble cast and a striking Laurence Fishburne cameo while noting the group must pool their killer instincts to survive.

The review describes an enjoyably stripped-down sci-fi action outing that returns to the spirit of the 1987 original. It praises the breakneck action and rousing spirit but notes hackneyed dialogue and effects that are not always state-of-the-art.

The film delivers red-blooded silliness true to the spirit of the original, with taut storytelling until a flabby final act and decent special effects. It lacks real ambition but works well as Saturday-night pulp.

The reboot is an unabashed B-movie that plays like a jacked-up Twilight Zone in its best moments, with colorful dialogue and edge in the first half from director Nimrod Antal. Later sequences feel recklessly assembled and incoherent, though it still packs enough guilty pleasure to keep the franchise alive.

Antal's atmospheric, moody compositions and camerawork make the dopey premise compelling in the first two-thirds, with strong ensemble turns except from Brody and Fishburne. The finale feels dumb and unnecessary, with Antal deserving better material than Rodriguez's fan-service flourishes provide.

The film devises a pulpy hook by exporting vicious human warriors to the Predators' planet but fails to recognize its own absurdity, treating the fanfic-like premise with undue gravity. Only Walton Goggins seems to have fun among the cast; the result is another workmanlike entry needing more vitality.

The critic says the film starts well but deflates after the midpoint due to shrinking scope and insufficient tension. It singles out the strong early chase sequences and cast for praise.

The critic finds it a solidly okay Saturday night effort that delivers familiar ingredients from the Predator series but remains unambitious given the talent involved. The supporting cast mostly consists of walking clichés, and the monsters are conceived only in terms of action-figure appeal.

The critic finds the film lacks the quiet suspense of the original Predator and descends into chaotic special-effects muddles. He singles out the implausible alien creature designs for particular complaint.

The review finds the film competently made but monotonous with no memorable thrills and a disappointing fadeout. It singles out the predators' overly visible design and clunky dialogue for complaint.

The critic finds the film a stolid, uninspired imitation of the original Predator that fails to capture its snap. He singles out Adrien Brody's unsuitable casting as the lead for complaint.

The review calls the film noisy and overstuffed, turning into a frantic clichéd chase that loses judgment and suspense. It singles out pretentious visual quotations from Apocalypse Now for complaint.

The critic called it a vividly entertaining midnight movie that is fun, joyful, and a genuinely good time with energetic action set pieces. They highlighted the lean, relentless pacing and Antal's skillful direction of the action and geography as standout elements.

The critic found it unpretentious and refreshingly good at delivering scares and thrills as a strong action film, likely the best in the series so far. They singled out the complex dynamics and paranoia within the human group, along with Brody's fine acting, for particular praise while noting some weak dialogue.

The critic praises it as a solid B-action movie that delivers fun, thrills, and violence on a lean budget, highlighting director Nimrod Antal's skillful use of sparse sets and editing for thrilling set pieces. They note it could use more humor and imagination in kills but overall finds it enjoyable.

Predators delivers sturdy, satisfying entertainment with strong pacing, robust acting and effective homages, though it falls short of the original due to incoherent shaky-cam action and botched reveals.

The critic really enjoyed the film as a return to basics with practical effects and pyrotechnics rather than heavy CGI. They praised the tense, claustrophobic jungle setting acting as a character, effective death sequences, and solid action that makes it a good watch for fans of the franchise.

The film is a highly entertaining, well-made sequel that pays homage to the original but feels like a competent tribute act rather than something original. It excels in some surprising moments and strong performances from supporting cast like Fishburne.

The film strips the franchise back to basics with real locations and stunts, creating a lean predicament-driven story where the cast's survival is the focus. Brody stands out effectively as the lead mercenary.