Predator Review (4/5)

If you take a look back at my review of Predators, the 2010 somewhat revamp of the AVP saga, I rated it at 3/5...scratch that. Having seen the original, which Predators was in a sense based on and a play on, I'd mark Predators down to 2.5/5. Admittedly, Predator has times of severe boredom, and its pacing is too slow 99% of the time, but the build-up, teases and reveal of a lone Predator stalking Arnold Schwazeneger and co through an alien jungle are simply so much better than this year's remake that this more than deserves a much higher score. The soundtrack is noticeably retro, however not unlikeably so, whereas the actors, Schwazeneger included, give superb efforts not seen in the remake which really put it to shame given the 20-year difference. Special effects were obviously a little bit less advanced back in 1987, and yet the Predator and his weaponry simply look stunning for the time, and still a decent effort in modern day. Only the lacklustre explosions and man-v-man gun sequences let down the FX side of things here, which is more than could be said for Predators. Simply put, Predator is a fascinating look at 1980s-horror, and though it can't be said to be the most original, most fast-paced or most thrilling movie in recent history, it adds a much needed element of fear to the Predator race which was near-completely lacking in the 2010 hit.