One might wonder why Hollywood would team up Alien and Predator anyway. One might wonder why Hollywood won't just let Alien die considering that it hasn't been involved in a decent film since 1986. One might wonder why Hollywood won't let Predator die since it hasn't been involved in a decent film since�well, ever.
But, really�whatever. It's the same stomach-bursting Alien and the same Day-Glo-bleeding Predator; but AVP is a whole new franchise, complete with its own insane backstory and a fresh Paul W.S. Anderson attitude. They're pretty cool monsters and they're going to fight to the death. What more appeal do you need? It's a fun, simple sci-fi thriller the way they were meant to be done.
So, uh�the plot, as if anyone cares: researchers have just discovered a mysterious ancient temple hidden away in some remote, icy hell. A team goes to uncover the ruins. Freethinking Female Character protests the dangers of such a mission without proper backup but her arguments are, of course, promptly ignored. Into the temple the team goes, some informative hieroglyphics explain that they've been lured into a battle between two alien races where humans serve as bait, and�enter death and destruction.
Unfortunately, that takes up half the movie. And it's really only mildly entertaining. But it's the movie's only real flaw, and the rest of AVP makes it easily forgivable. There are far worse ways for the first half of a sci-fi thriller to play out (see Paul W.S. Anderson's previous effort: Resident Evil.)
So with all the backstory finally in place, the audience is then free to care. Soon Freethinking Female Character (played wonderfully by Sanaa Lathan) understands that the only way to get out of this war alive is to take a side; and, as the Aliens seem to have no agenda other than drooling and harvesting their young in human bodies, the Predator seems like a better bet. It's an unlikely friendship, but in the grand tradition of Cop and a Half and Harold & Maude, these two crazy anthropomorphous beings are gonna find that they have more in common than they could ever guess. Or, well, they find that they're both hardcore badasses. They have hardcore badass in common. And�that's pretty much what's important in a movie where one of the lead characters doesn't even have a tongue.
Alien violence and action sequences ensue, and�that's what you came for. Alien Vs. Predator delivers Alien versus Predator action. No need to describe. Sweet and satisfying. |
