Predators 2010 Reboot To A Franchise & Movie Review

Arnold Schwarzenegger, 1987 the biggest action star in the world, appears in an action/sci-fi film that becomes a both a hit and a genre defining classic. First time movie viewers were astounded by not just the action, but a brand new icon introduced into film for the first time - The Predator, fierce, alien, big, stealthy and a hunter with an odd, futuristic assortment of weapons and its own code of honor.

The first film had a special forces company sent to the jungles of Guatemala in search of a CIA agent gunned down from a helicopter by militia guerrilla's and the unit sent in to search and retrieve. They reach a guerilla camp with unexpected results. Then they have their matters made much more worse with something or someone hunting them down one by one.

Fast forward 23 years and .... Robert Rodriguez presents ....... Predators

Well I have just returned from the opening night of the film. The one benefit I did have is that I get to see this particular film before America and the UK does as films in Australia, start on a Thursday.

What were my expectations? I tried to have as little as an expectation as possible, with the exception of wondering what the hell would they use as a plot to bring something fresh and new to the table. As well as thinking, how will it compare to the original and how will it stand up to the other three films in the franchise (Predator 2, Aliens Vs Predator & Aliens Vs Predator 2).

In my view, if this was the first film, it would be different in the aspect that it would be very original, something to totally delight audiences and a new bad guy on celluloid.

The film has been touted as a direct sequel/reboot of the first film. I believe it is both. There is a connection to the first film, yet I will not say here as this will be debated about for years to come. Another often talked about piece is will Arnold or will not Arnold appear in this film, again, I will not leave tantalizing bits, you will know when you see the film.

The opening music does bring back memories, the beginning horns and those beating drums.....ahhhh 1987

So what does a Russian army guy, a money-for-hire Mercenary, a Yakuza enforcer, a double-gun toting South American drug cartel member, A Sierra Leone guerrilla, a disgraced doctor and a death row inmate and a freedom fighting female have in common? They are all unlucky bastards stranded in a strange jungle for one.

The trailer are actually a surprise, usually you get the plot of the film and when you see the film.....its pointless, as the trailer is a very condensed source of the film hence disappointing film viewing.

Well in this case kudos to whomever cut & directed the trailer. It tantalizes enough to want you to see the film, without giving much of anything away.

It has upped the ante. There are characters that you want to root for, and an unfolding of their backgrounds and who they are and what makes them tick, carries all the way through the film.

There is the scenery, the jungle, definitely a head nod to the first film, and there are homages galore paid to the original, which are nice touches and done rather well.

There are some new surprises in store as this will be something familiar and something different to all of those who remember the first film (or go and buy on dvd before watching this one)

Another aspect I liked and one that is a hotly debated topic, is the main cast are not all big, beefy types. When Adrien Brody was cast as the first to sign on, people were actually saying in discussion forums....*are you f***ing kidding me?* Their words....not mine.

There is enough in this film to provide a fresh story and some genuine interesting plot moments, and most likely enough material here to promote for more films in the franchise if it performs well at the Box Office to 20th Century's liking.

There is not much (to me at least, as I am a big fan of the Aliens & Predator films in general) to dislike.

I felt that some more character was required with Lawrence Fishburne's scenes as it seemed to me more of a favor for him to appear in the film rather than lets get him and give him a great role.

There are aspects and parts of the new predator technology introduced that a predator uses, that we see for the first time in this film, that to me I thought was a little bit of overkill and took away some of the more familiar sneaky hunting that the predators are wont to do. This is something I felt may have been better suited to introducing in a second film. I just thought that it was unnecessary 'let's add some cool factor' to the plot device.

Overall, I believe this was a very enjoyable film and the suspense/thriller was just the right amount, with enough going on to follow what was unfolding with the characters and some definite new surprises. The film has enough to stand alone and having said that has been done in such a way, if it is very successful, will more than likely promote a sequel.

In my short opinion, if you like action flicks and sci-fi, go see this film

Now........Go............Get To The Chopper !!!

Had a look at Box Office Mojo, a site that details stories and box office updates for releases of film in the USA.

Friday, the 9th of July, Predators has had a strong opening at $10,450,000. A very good Friday opening result, considering the additional opening of Despicable Me with 21 Million & the power-house that is Twilight Saga:Eclipse in it's 3rd week run earning 11 Million.

I am expecting the film to close out at 22 Million come close of Sunday.

Source: Box Office Mojo

Well, all 3 movies at the top of the box office for this weekend closing has Despicable Me with 60.1 Million & the power-house that is Twilight Saga:Eclipse still going strong in it's 3rd weekend closing at 35 million.

Predators has excelled above my expectations, closing with 25.3 million. A couple of million above my guesstimation. Not bad, not bad at all considering production cost was 40 million to make the film.

Box Office Mojo reports that the film grossed 42 million at the US domestic box office, and 37 million in all other foreign markets, so a world wide gross of 80 million. I feel this is not a bad return considering it was released the same week as Despicable Me, and the next week with Inception and The Sorcerer's Apprentice.

As a comparison, the original Predator, after a 7 week run, grossed a total 59 million at the US domestic box office back in 1987, with adjustment for inflation, in todays figures that accounts for 115 million.

We may just see a reboot to the franchise after all.