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When a young boy accidentally triggers the universe’s most lethal hunters’ return to Earth, only a ragtag crew of ex-soldiers and a disgruntled science teacher can prevent the end of the human race.
Perhaps still best known as the writer of “Lethal Weapon,” or maybe as the writer-director of “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang,” Shane Black takes a run at co-writing and directing “The Predator.” The film is the fourth installment in the series. Or the sixth, if you count the crossover “Alien vs. Predator” versions.
As a bit of movie trivia, Black was one of the early casualties in the original “Predator” starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. To find him, simply keep an eye out for the commando telling all the bad jokes.
In “The Predator,” the one-liners come fast and furiously, and mostly unexpected. Who could have thought that an ostensibly serious film could combine innocuous humor with decapitations, dismemberments, and other gruesome mayhem?
This latest sequel sports a solid and extensive B-movie cast that includes, most notably, Boyd Holbrook, Trevante Rhodes, Keegan-Michael Key, Olivia Munn, Sterling K. Brown, Thomas Jane, Alfie Allen, Augusto Aguilera, Jake Busey, and Yvonne Strahovski. As in the other “Predators,” an ensemble production in this series is necessary if only because the body counts pile up so fast.
Although populated by myriad characters, the players are nonetheless penciled in sufficiently for the purposes of this endeavor. Everyone has some good bon mots, and it is obvious that all of the actors have been around the block ample times to know how to deliver them in expert fashion. Without exception, the cast comports themselves admirably in this campy, enjoyable sci-fi action-thriller.
Jacob Tremblay is the gifted, young savant who stumbles upon a way to communicate with the aliens and unwittingly draws them to earth. He is bright, has spunk and delivers more than a few good lines himself.
“The Predator” contains sufficient surprises in the screenplay to qualify the film as more than a fatigued remake. Since audiences will know, more or less, where the story is headed, there is no need to regurgitate the plot here. Besides, even if the intricacy of the narrative sometimes seems like window dressing, it serves suitably enough to maintain interest amidst the regularly dispersed comic diversions and rampant carnage.
While the tale comes to a proper denouement, it also sets up an unmistakable sequel. Ultimately, regardless of the absence of A-list stars and despite a decidedly economical shooting and VFX budget, this solidly produced B-movie has a lot going for it just the same. No doubt, we will see more of “The Predator” in the future.
In theaters Friday, September 14th
