Predator vs Alien any good

jbmagic · 01-25-2005, 12:52 PM

Predator vs Alien any good?

the DVD is release today

JeeberD · 01-25-2005, 12:57 PM

That's one that I want to rent even though I know it's going to be terrible...

Pyser · 01-25-2005, 12:59 PM

is it a great movie? no.

is it fun if you are a fan of sci fi, and more specifically the alien series and predator? yes. its not great, but there are enough nods to the respective franchises to get that they stayed fairly true to their origins.

except that it took place on earth in 2004. that didnt fit in with aliens too well AT ALL.

Suicane75 · 01-25-2005, 01:00 PM

This I can agree with Pyser on. Not a great movie, but it's good for what it is.

rkmsuf · 01-25-2005, 01:01 PM

SPOILER WARNING

Spoiler warning: There is a point in this film that is truly the cinematic equivalent of a 150-decibel toilet flushing. You can't miss it. However, to competently and completely deconstruct and ridicule this film, I need to write about it. Frankly, there's about as much chance that knowing this will increase one's enjoyment of "Alien vs. Predator" as decrease it, but I feel it's only fair to warn you that I intend to reveal just about every secret this film has to offer in the review below.

The most unexpected thing in "Alien vs. Predator" -- and in a way, its most brilliant -- is the "Oprah moment". The "Oprah moment", which I will define specifically as writer/director Paul W.S. Anderson's inexplicable desire to bring some humanity to an otherwise utterly inhumane endeavor, is also the moment of the previously mentioned toilet-flushing. Sure, it's entirely imagined, but there is truly a point in the film where the plot creates a giant sucking sound of such power that one is compelled to bow down and pay homage.

That "Oprah moment" is the moment when Anderson decides that the Predator needs a friend. Quite abruptly, the film becomes "Alien" meets "Predator" meets "E.T." meets "Close Encounters" meets "K-9" and we're flung out-of-control and into the abyss like an amusement park ride gone off its tracks. Seriously, Anderson apparently believes that the Predator just needs a buddy. What's next for Anderson? Maybe "Hannibal 2", in which Anthony Hopkins escorts a group of toddlers to Chuck E. Cheese?

Indulge me my plot explanation: A group of explorers, funded by Charles Weyland (Lance Henriksen) and led by ice climber and environmentalist Alexa Woods (Sanaa Lathan) discovers a huge pyramid two thousand feet underneath the ice in Antarctica. When they get down there, they find that it's the remnants of a long lost civilization that worshipped the Predator and where the Predator battled the Alien as a rite of passage. Naturally, the team awakens the Queen Alien, who starts laying eggs, and a team of Predators return for the hunt with the humans as the bait.

Without going into too much detail, two of the Predators are quickly offed, leaving a single Predator to battle the fast-growing Alien population. It seems that the gestation period for the Alien breeding has been inexplicably reduced to less than 10 minutes and the baby aliens grow to adult size in about 20 minutes. However, in this context, I admit this is nit-picking.

Now, given the lone Predator's long odds of defeating all the Aliens, it becomes obvious (at least to Anderson), that he needs something. Apparently, that does not include a bigger gun or more Predators. What he needs is a friend. As every filmgoer knows, those who don't know true friendship are lost, so giving the Predator a friend is the next best thing to giving him a puppy or a teddy bear. Being that Alexa is the last living human and manages to kill an Alien in front of the Predator, he rewards her with a shield made out of the Alien skull and a spear made from its tail during a ceremony that, and I swear, looked like a parody scene we're likely to see on "The Simpsons" in a few months.

Suddenly, Alexa and the Predator are buddies! Suddenly, every conceivable monster film cliché comes into play. The Predator sets off a bomb using his amazing alien technology. Don't you just love alien bombs? They're powerful enough to destroy everything within a 100 mile radius and just slow enough in doing it that the average human can outrun the shockwave. Suddenly, the winch that lowered the team into the cavern at a snail's pace is put in reverse and made to go 100 mph up to the top.

Fortunately, none of that matters because any sane person is laughing so hard at this new Martin and Riggs combo that seeing any of that is basically impossible through one's typhoon of tears.

"He doesn't like her complexion. She doesn't like his attitude. He doesn't respect her skills. She can't stand his hair. They're a team for the new millennium. They don't get along, but when it comes to fighting crime, there's nobody better!"

I just hope that when "Alien vs. Predator 2" comes out, the Alien gets a buddy too! It's only right.

ShovelMonkey · 01-25-2005, 01:03 PM

Saw it at the theatre, enjoyed it immensely. Agreed that it isn't great, but it was above average imho.

Cuckoo · 01-25-2005, 01:04 PM

I quickly flipped past rk's post...

I want to see it and will probably give it a rent this weekend. I'm not expecting anything great, but Alien 4 sucked and I still enjoyed that to a degree, so...

Joe · 01-25-2005, 01:05 PM

its better than catwoman

Suicane75 · 01-25-2005, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkmsuf

SPOILER WARNING

Hang on dude.......

Spolier Space

Didn't the Predators do the same thing in part 2? They respect warriors, so I don't think it was as out of the blue as you talk about it, and I don't think they were buddies, in fact if i remember correctly the Predator and Human fought each other even after they teamed up.

jbmagic · 01-25-2005, 01:07 PM

so basicly just worth a dvd rental but not a purchase?

rkmsuf · 01-25-2005, 01:07 PM

I have no idea about part deux.

I didn't write that anyway but I thought it was a funny take.

bbor · 01-25-2005, 01:10 PM

Suicane75 · 01-25-2005, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkmsuf

I have no idea about part deux.

I didn't write that anyway but I thought it was a funny take.

Plagarism? Here? The sanctity of our board has been tainted.

I said tity.

I said taint.

rkmsuf · 01-25-2005, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suicane75

Plagarism? Here? The sanctity of our board has been tainted.

I said tity.

I said taint.

Yeah I really went big using that piece of literature.

Shockingly flouting society's conventions.

Loren · 01-25-2005, 01:33 PM

Im figuring this movie is pretty crappy but oh well, our 5 yr old has been waiting for it to be released on dvd so we can rent it soooo I hafta watch it

at least I know she's seen the original...I'm not thrilled about the PRedator portion as I skipped watching THAT original...I really cant see why anyone would BUY this movie though

rkmsuf · 01-25-2005, 01:34 PM

5 yr old?

Loren · 01-25-2005, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkmsuf

5 yr old?

she loves the Alien movies

what can I say, it's not our fault..we took her to see Resident Evil 2 and she loved it..but the last Scary Movie freaked her out, go figure..

rkmsuf · 01-25-2005, 01:43 PM

uhh.....ok then.

I got nuthin.

G-Man · 01-25-2005, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loren

Im figuring this movie is pretty crappy but oh well, our 5 yr old has been waiting for it to be released on dvd so we can rent it soooo I hafta watch it

at least I know she's seen the original...I'm not thrilled about the PRedator portion as I skipped watching THAT original...I really cant see why anyone would BUY this movie though

I have to disagree with you. I found the movie to be very well done, for what it was. It was action very little story and didn't try to be more than that. Quite a ride for a 1 hour and 28 minute movie. If you liked any of the Alien and/or Predator movies than you will like this one. BTW I didn't like Alien4 either.

Perhaps you should watch somehting before drawing any conclusions.

So when are you gonna take your 5 year old to see the Grudge?

Be careful how much violence and gore you expose your young child to. They tend to get hardened to it as they age and that is not a good thing. Take it from one with experience in the matter.

Loren · 01-25-2005, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-Man

Perhaps you should watch somehting before drawing any conclusions.

So when are you gonna take your 5 year old to see the Grudge?

Be careful how much violence and gore you expose your young child to. They tend to get hardened to it as they age and that is not a good thing. Take it from one with experience in the matter.

I said i was "figuring" on it being crappy, mainly because I dont like these sort of movies

so i wasnt drawing conclusions but thanks(and just on a smartass level, i like how this watching something before drawing conclusions line came from you..after the recent spongebob thread

)..and my kid actually has asked to see the Grudge, thank you very much..I on the other hand get too freaked out, Im at the point where I dont mind her watching zombies being killed or her not being scared by aliens, because they're things I get freaked out about(and i wish i wouldnt), I wont even watch Signs..so if she can get rid of a fear, yayy..we're there, and we explain whats real and whats just a movie, and since we're her main influence it's ok in my book, but what do i know...

rkmsuf · 01-25-2005, 03:14 PM

You should apply the same principle to guns or porn.

Loren · 01-25-2005, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkmsuf

You should apply the same principle to guns or porn.

who's afraid of porn??

rkmsuf · 01-25-2005, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loren

who's afraid of porn??

My guess would be a 5 yr old. Might as well nip that one in the bud.

Loren · 01-25-2005, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkmsuf

My guess would be a 5 yr old. Might as well nip that one in the bud.

i dunno..i knew about it at 5, and look how screwed up i turned out

rkmsuf · 01-25-2005, 03:27 PM

I got nuthin was the way to go here.

Loren · 01-25-2005, 03:28 PM

.....

G-Man · 01-25-2005, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loren

I said i was "figuring" on it being crappy, mainly because I dont like these sort of movies

so i wasnt drawing conclusions but thanks(and just on a smartass level, i like how this watching something before drawing conclusions line came from you..after the recent spongebob thread

)..and my kid actually has asked to see the Grudge, thank you very much..I on the other hand get too freaked out, Im at the point where I dont mind her watching zombies being killed or her not being scared by aliens, because they're things I get freaked out about(and i wish i wouldnt), I wont even watch Signs..so if she can get rid of a fear, yayy..we're there, and we explain whats real and whats just a movie, and since we're her main influence it's ok in my book, but what do i know...

Hmm ok I stand corrected on your opinion about the movie. And on whatever level you like that wasn't my conclusion that I was supporting (makes sense?) in the thread (Spongebob) discussion.

We will have to agree to disagree on what we would allow a 5 year old. However I have been on the "other end" of this situation. All my 5 year olds are 15 or older and had I a chance to do it all again I would not have let them watch some of the shows they did. Maybe it would have changed some behavior issues and maybe not, but it would have been the proper way to keep my (our) children innocent at that age. (BTW I wasn't a BA Christian until much later on).

BigJohn&TheLions · 01-25-2005, 03:38 PM

A friend of mine is a sci-fi freak who is a bit too much into Predator... He said he hated it. It's supposed to be extremely inacurate... Little things such as the Predator needs very hot weather to survive, but this is in Antartica.

I'll still rent it for Saana Lathon. Yum!

JeeberD · 01-25-2005, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigJohn&TheLions

A friend of mine is a sci-fi freak who is a bit too much into Predator... He said he hated it. It's supposed to be extremely inacurate... Little things such as the Predator needs very hot weather to survive, but this is in Antartica.

I'll still rent it for Saana Lathon. Yum!

Was New York very hot in Predator II? No, really, I don't remember what time of year the flick was set...

TazFTW · 01-25-2005, 03:58 PM

Predator 2 was in LA not NY.

JeeberD · 01-25-2005, 03:58 PM

Oh, I see. :o

andy m · 01-25-2005, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbmagic

Predator vs Alien any good?

the DVD is release today

no.

G-Man · 01-25-2005, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigJohn&TheLions

A friend of mine is a sci-fi freak who is a bit too much into Predator... He said he hated it. It's supposed to be extremely inacurate... Little things such as the Predator needs very hot weather to survive, but this is in Antartica.

I'll still rent it for Saana Lathon. Yum!

Yeah and the next thing he'll complain about is that it wasn't very realistic... It is a movie meant to entertain, which it did very well. There could be so many reasons for them being in the cold, like it maybe a different tribe of Predators, etc.

Man people really get me when they are so critical of a sequel because they forgot to put a slash on the predators helmut, and you know what I mean, it's minutia! Like in Star Trek Enterprise when fans complained that they were changing the past from the way it was remembered in TOS, TNG etc.
People, it is fiction! The creators or whomever owns the rights to the series can do as they please so long as they get ratings...

Try and enjoy the movie for what it is, unless of course you are a paid critic.

Hey if you do not like the movie because it was boring, too bloody etc. that is fine as you are entitled to your opinion.

Ok that is my rant for the day.... I hope

Glengoyne · 01-25-2005, 05:01 PM

Hell my five year old was scared of the bad guy in The Incredibles.

Oh as for the movie. Don't have high hopes, but do watch it.

G-Man · 01-25-2005, 05:03 PM

Hey I for one am just happy they made it, been waiting about a decade since the first graphic novel, maybe longer than a decade methinks

mgadfly · 01-25-2005, 10:53 PM

SPOILER ALERT (I guess, not that I give away any major secrets or anything)

SPOILER SPACE!!!!

I watched it tonight. I guess I liked it. I loved the first two Predator movies but never cared for the Alien series (too much suspense and not enough action always left me with a stomach ache and a mountain of regret that I'd watched it).

I know G-Man doesn't think it is a big deal that the Predators are in Antartica, but it was probably the biggest disappointment for me. It wasn't a minor thing in the first two movies (the heat they needed to survive and hunt) and if they are going to change the rules I'd have appreciated an explanation (like have the Predators in big spaceman suits to keep them warm, but that wouldn't have made for very exciting action scenes).

The second biggest problem I had was either the sled (mentioned above) or the fact that there was light inside the pyramid a lot of times. And why wouldn't people, equipped with the greatest technology in the world, who are going on an adventure 2000 feet under the ice, not bring infrared or night vision goggles?

But, if you are willing to put that aside for an hour and a half, which I was, it isn't all that bad of a diversion from real life. At least, if you are a sci-fi fan needing a fix anyway...

01-25-2005, 12:57 PM	#2
JeeberD General Manager Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The Town of Flower Mound	That's one that I want to rent even though I know it's going to be terrible... __________________ UTEP Miners!!! I solemnly swear to never cheer for TO

01-25-2005, 01:01 PM	#5
rkmsuf Head Coach Join Date: Dec 2001	SPOILER WARNING Spoiler warning: There is a point in this film that is truly the cinematic equivalent of a 150-decibel toilet flushing. You can't miss it. However, to competently and completely deconstruct and ridicule this film, I need to write about it. Frankly, there's about as much chance that knowing this will increase one's enjoyment of "Alien vs. Predator" as decrease it, but I feel it's only fair to warn you that I intend to reveal just about every secret this film has to offer in the review below. The most unexpected thing in "Alien vs. Predator" -- and in a way, its most brilliant -- is the "Oprah moment". The "Oprah moment", which I will define specifically as writer/director Paul W.S. Anderson's inexplicable desire to bring some humanity to an otherwise utterly inhumane endeavor, is also the moment of the previously mentioned toilet-flushing. Sure, it's entirely imagined, but there is truly a point in the film where the plot creates a giant sucking sound of such power that one is compelled to bow down and pay homage. That "Oprah moment" is the moment when Anderson decides that the Predator needs a friend. Quite abruptly, the film becomes "Alien" meets "Predator" meets "E.T." meets "Close Encounters" meets "K-9" and we're flung out-of-control and into the abyss like an amusement park ride gone off its tracks. Seriously, Anderson apparently believes that the Predator just needs a buddy. What's next for Anderson? Maybe "Hannibal 2", in which Anthony Hopkins escorts a group of toddlers to Chuck E. Cheese? Indulge me my plot explanation: A group of explorers, funded by Charles Weyland (Lance Henriksen) and led by ice climber and environmentalist Alexa Woods (Sanaa Lathan) discovers a huge pyramid two thousand feet underneath the ice in Antarctica. When they get down there, they find that it's the remnants of a long lost civilization that worshipped the Predator and where the Predator battled the Alien as a rite of passage. Naturally, the team awakens the Queen Alien, who starts laying eggs, and a team of Predators return for the hunt with the humans as the bait. Without going into too much detail, two of the Predators are quickly offed, leaving a single Predator to battle the fast-growing Alien population. It seems that the gestation period for the Alien breeding has been inexplicably reduced to less than 10 minutes and the baby aliens grow to adult size in about 20 minutes. However, in this context, I admit this is nit-picking. Now, given the lone Predator's long odds of defeating all the Aliens, it becomes obvious (at least to Anderson), that he needs something. Apparently, that does not include a bigger gun or more Predators. What he needs is a friend. As every filmgoer knows, those who don't know true friendship are lost, so giving the Predator a friend is the next best thing to giving him a puppy or a teddy bear. Being that Alexa is the last living human and manages to kill an Alien in front of the Predator, he rewards her with a shield made out of the Alien skull and a spear made from its tail during a ceremony that, and I swear, looked like a parody scene we're likely to see on "The Simpsons" in a few months. Suddenly, Alexa and the Predator are buddies! Suddenly, every conceivable monster film cliché comes into play. The Predator sets off a bomb using his amazing alien technology. Don't you just love alien bombs? They're powerful enough to destroy everything within a 100 mile radius and just slow enough in doing it that the average human can outrun the shockwave. Suddenly, the winch that lowered the team into the cavern at a snail's pace is put in reverse and made to go 100 mph up to the top. Fortunately, none of that matters because any sane person is laughing so hard at this new Martin and Riggs combo that seeing any of that is basically impossible through one's typhoon of tears. "He doesn't like her complexion. She doesn't like his attitude. He doesn't respect her skills. She can't stand his hair. They're a team for the new millennium. They don't get along, but when it comes to fighting crime, there's nobody better!" I just hope that when "Alien vs. Predator 2" comes out, the Alien gets a buddy too! It's only right. __________________ "Don't you have homes?" -- Judge Smales

01-25-2005, 01:03 PM	#6
ShovelMonkey H.S. Freshman Team Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Central PA	Saw it at the theatre, enjoyed it immensely. Agreed that it isn't great, but it was above average imho. __________________ It only hurts for a little while...

01-25-2005, 01:04 PM	#7
Cuckoo College Starter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Edmond, OK	I quickly flipped past rk's post... I want to see it and will probably give it a rent this weekend. I'm not expecting anything great, but Alien 4 sucked and I still enjoyed that to a degree, so... __________________ Commissioner - North American Football League Dallas Cowboys GM

01-25-2005, 01:07 PM	#11
rkmsuf Head Coach Join Date: Dec 2001	I have no idea about part deux. I didn't write that anyway but I thought it was a funny take. __________________ "Don't you have homes?" -- Judge Smales

01-25-2005, 12:59 PM	#3
Pyser Pro Rookie Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Los Angeles	is it a great movie? no. is it fun if you are a fan of sci fi, and more specifically the alien series and predator? yes. its not great, but there are enough nods to the respective franchises to get that they stayed fairly true to their origins. except that it took place on earth in 2004. that didnt fit in with aliens too well AT ALL.

01-25-2005, 01:00 PM	#4
Suicane75 Coordinator Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NJ	This I can agree with Pyser on. Not a great movie, but it's good for what it is.

01-25-2005, 01:05 PM	#8
Joe Pro Starter Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Minneapolis	its better than catwoman

01-25-2005, 01:07 PM	#10
jbmagic Pro Starter Join Date: Apr 2004	so basicly just worth a dvd rental but not a purchase?

01-25-2005, 01:10 PM	#12
bbor Pro Starter Join Date: May 2001 Location: toronto	Meh! __________________ Pumpy Tudors Now that I've cracked and made that admission, I wonder if I'm only a couple of steps away from wanting to tongue-kiss Jaromir Jagr and give Bobby Clarke a blowjob.

01-25-2005, 01:33 PM	#15
Loren High School JV Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: i live in tx	Im figuring this movie is pretty crappy but oh well, our 5 yr old has been waiting for it to be released on dvd so we can rent it soooo I hafta watch it at least I know she's seen the original...I'm not thrilled about the PRedator portion as I skipped watching THAT original...I really cant see why anyone would BUY this movie though __________________ Lorennnn...

01-25-2005, 01:34 PM	#16
rkmsuf Head Coach Join Date: Dec 2001	5 yr old? __________________ "Don't you have homes?" -- Judge Smales

01-25-2005, 01:43 PM	#18
rkmsuf Head Coach Join Date: Dec 2001	uhh.....ok then. I got nuthin. __________________ "Don't you have homes?" -- Judge Smales Last edited by rkmsuf : 01-25-2005 at 01:44 PM.

01-25-2005, 03:14 PM	#21
rkmsuf Head Coach Join Date: Dec 2001	You should apply the same principle to guns or porn. __________________ "Don't you have homes?" -- Judge Smales

01-25-2005, 03:27 PM	#25
rkmsuf Head Coach Join Date: Dec 2001	I got nuthin was the way to go here. __________________ "Don't you have homes?" -- Judge Smales

01-25-2005, 03:28 PM	#26
Loren High School JV Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: i live in tx	..... __________________ Lorennnn...

01-25-2005, 03:38 PM	#28
BigJohn&TheLions College Benchwarmer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: New York	A friend of mine is a sci-fi freak who is a bit too much into Predator... He said he hated it. It's supposed to be extremely inacurate... Little things such as the Predator needs very hot weather to survive, but this is in Antartica. I'll still rent it for Saana Lathon. Yum! __________________ In the immortal words of a great alcoholic, "Can't we all just get along?"

01-25-2005, 03:58 PM	#30
TazFTW Pro Rookie Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Honolulu, HI	Predator 2 was in LA not NY.

01-25-2005, 03:58 PM	#31
JeeberD General Manager Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The Town of Flower Mound	Oh, I see. :o __________________ UTEP Miners!!! I solemnly swear to never cheer for TO

01-25-2005, 05:01 PM	#34
Glengoyne Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Fresno, CA	Hell my five year old was scared of the bad guy in The Incredibles. Oh as for the movie. Don't have high hopes, but do watch it.

01-25-2005, 05:03 PM	#35
G-Man High School JV Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Seattle, Washington	Hey I for one am just happy they made it, been waiting about a decade since the first graphic novel, maybe longer than a decade methinks __________________ Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen"

01-25-2005, 10:53 PM	#36
mgadfly High School Varsity Join Date: Dec 2003	SPOILER ALERT (I guess, not that I give away any major secrets or anything) SPOILER SPACE!!!! I watched it tonight. I guess I liked it. I loved the first two Predator movies but never cared for the Alien series (too much suspense and not enough action always left me with a stomach ache and a mountain of regret that I'd watched it). I know G-Man doesn't think it is a big deal that the Predators are in Antartica, but it was probably the biggest disappointment for me. It wasn't a minor thing in the first two movies (the heat they needed to survive and hunt) and if they are going to change the rules I'd have appreciated an explanation (like have the Predators in big spaceman suits to keep them warm, but that wouldn't have made for very exciting action scenes). The second biggest problem I had was either the sled (mentioned above) or the fact that there was light inside the pyramid a lot of times. And why wouldn't people, equipped with the greatest technology in the world, who are going on an adventure 2000 feet under the ice, not bring infrared or night vision goggles? But, if you are willing to put that aside for an hour and a half, which I was, it isn't all that bad of a diversion from real life. At least, if you are a sci-fi fan needing a fix anyway...

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)