Predators - Blu-Ray

Movie: When Arnold Schwarzenegger fought an alien hunter in the jungle over 20 years ago, one of the most beloved movie monsters in cinema history was born: the "Predator". After a sequel with Danny Glover that received a rather mixed reception from fans, a couple of comics, and the two disappointing "Alien vs. Predator" movies, the Robert Rodriguez-produced "Predators" is finally the film that most deserves the title of a worthy sequel to the original.

However, this praise is also the film's biggest weakness, as it follows John McTiernan's film a little too closely in style and story, thus lacking a hoped-for independence. The story is a minor matter: a motley group of mercenaries and convicted killers makes a shocking discovery: they have been abandoned on an alien planet and are now being hunted to their bitter deaths by alien hunters. But the unwilling prey are not about to surrender so easily to their bloody fate...

Director Nimorod Antal ("Motel") took a pleasantly old-fashioned approach to the script, which is based on a sixteen-year-old draft by Rodriguez. He eschews overly fast cuts and shaky-cam visuals, which seem to be almost obligatory stylistic devices in contemporary action films. Instead, "Predators" offers atmospheric chases and grippingly staged duels, with the one between a Yakuza fighter and a Predator standing out in particular. In addition, the film scores with a first-rate cast, which, in addition to Danny Trejo, Topher Grace and Alice Braga, is particularly impressive with Adrien Brody as a surprisingly convincing action hero and Laurence Fishburne as a tough lone fighter whose years of loneliness have not done him much good.

Some very gory scenes, as one would naturally want from a film in the "Predator" series, as well as the atmospheric jungle setting, the use of various themes from the original soundtrack, and a very direct allusion to the first part makes Antal's sequel a joyous occasion for all fans of the first. However, there is also one negative aspect that weighs quite heavily: as good as the idea of having humans fight Predators on a distant planet is, the opportunities it presents were underutilized. There's a grandiose view of the alien sky and a few alien dog-like creatures, but otherwise the planet doesn't seem much different from the environment where the Governer once had to deal with the Predator.

As a result, the viewer hardly feels like they're in an alien world here. What the planet is all about, how the humans got there, and from how many other worlds the Predators procure their victims for the drive hunt is only hinted at, but never fully played out. Time and again the story hints at things that would have presented potential for a slightly more spectacular, original film, but then turns to more familiar territory. Here, the action works well, sometimes even very well. But there remains in the end just the unsatisfying feeling that "Predators" could have been a much better film.

Nonetheless, the positives outweigh the negatives in the end, though they should be of greater value to older Predator fans than to younger viewers who are no longer used to this old-fashioned kind of 80s action and are more likely to find it boring. But for those who grew up with Arnie's bloody jungle camp and love that film, this sequel will definitely satisfy. And for such viewers also applies: absolutely recommendable!

Picture + Sound: The Blu-Ray presents the film in very good quality. Due to the good contrasts, the picture shows up pleasantly sharp even in the darker scenes and the coloration is also on a good level, making especially the jungle shots look pleasantly vivid. The sound presents itself as a decent multi-channel mix, which sounds a bit front-heavy in quieter moments from time to time, though. Overall, however, a very good technical presentation.

Extras: Los it goes here with an interesting audio commentary by director Nimród Antal and producer Robert Rodriguez. The two talk casually about the Predator franchise, the script, Antal's direction, and the benefits Rodriguez sees in having only worked as a producer here.

In addition to the commentary, the disc has a couple of motion comics to offer, highlighting the back story to the film. In addition, there's a multi-part making of, just under 40 minutes long, that goes deeper into the filming in Hawaii and Texas. There are also two shorter featurettes about the characters and the making of a scene, as well as some short and relatively inconsequential cut scenes. Overall, a decent, but not mind-blowing bonus offering.

Conclusion: "Predators" is no masterpiece, but continues the tradition of the first installment in a thoroughly entertaining manner. The Blu-Ray is technically very well implemented and has just under 70 minutes of decent extras to offer. Definitely recommended for fans!

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp