Antwar Saloon

[jeffg]

Didn't like it. I didn't think I would, but I don't think that effected my opinion.

Actually, there's nothing really wrong with it. As a matter of fact, I heard the couple in front of me as we were leaving say "Fantastic. That was a fantastic movie". I definitely thought they were wrong.

I think the premise - the original premise - was really a one shot deal. It's a great concept - heavily armed alien hunts heavily armed humans - and the humans barely have a chance. But there's nothing more to it - there's only so many ways to spin it. I LOVE the Predators - but they're one dimensional - they hunt difficult prey. And that's it.

I actually thought the second movie was pretty good - it worked 'cause the main character didn't know what he was up against - and it provided some drama. There was also some great comedic moments in that movie, and the introduction of some fantastic weaponry.

But once you know what's happening it's not really that fun to watch others figure it out what you already know.

The only way that this new one would have worked would have been if there was a compelling subplot or understory to keep up the interest while the plot that you already know unfolds. There isn't one.

In fact, if they want to keep this franchise alive, that's what they need to do - explore the world of the Predators - maybe give them a chance to have a little more depth.

As a stand alone, this isn't a bad movie. So, maybe someone that's new to the franchise might like it - maybe that explains the couple I overheard. But if you know the story, I don't see the point is watching this one.

A couple of sidenotes:

I saw the first Predator movie at the Suniland theater in Miami. It's gone now - long gone - but it was one of those old, huge, stadium type theaters - and it was opening night with super rowdy crowd. But a fun crowd, not a bunch of mannerless dickheaded kids that can't keep their holes shut. That's one of my fondest movie memories, and the reason I've always loved this franchise. Arnold was awesome in this period - I watched him do an interview on Letterman about this movie coming out, and it was funny to watch everyone laugh when he told the audience that the body count was much lower than usual this time for one of his movies.

Curious too - I remember having the thought that this movie was ANTI-HUNTING. Have you ever thought that?

I really like the female lead. She's got a weird hot vibe that I like - if I was gonna guess, she's gotta be Latin American - my faaaaavorite. She must have that effect on producers too - I'm pretty sure she's the same girl that was in I am Legend and Repo Men.

Also - one of my favorite memories of the Predator movies was the short blurb on the trailers and the posters:

It came for the thrill of the hunt. It picked the wrong man to hunt. (1st movie)

He's in town with a few days to kill. (LOL second movie)

No matter who wins, we lose. (AVP)

Jeff

[Deckard]

Kindofa Predators meets Enemy Mine more depth? I saw this and was surprised at how much I liked it. I went to see it at the $5 show in Orange Park (Jeff knows where that is), and maybe only paying $5 helped. I also watched it on a DLP screen with THX sound. The sound engineering in this movie is good, not great.

When I heard that they used the original sound track I got a big smile on face. Maybe it was in the other movies as well, but they were so crappy I didn't notice it. I'd love to say more about the movie but until more guys chime in I'm afraid to cuz everything I want to say is a spoiler.

I thought it was the best of the franchise since the original.
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"I've done . . . questionable things. Nothing the God of biomechanics wouldn't let you into heaven for." -Roy Batty

[jeffg]

[Deckard]

I have the production book from the original Alien film filled with big glossy pages of HR Giger's concept, preproduction, and production artwork and I can say unequivocally that the "pilot" is not a Predator. Not even close. He's about 30 feet tall and the face does not have the crustacean-like mandibles of a predator. Ridley Scott can go back and make it whatever he wants, however. I'm just setting the record straight.

What fascinated me with the new film is how the predators could know so much about individual humans, especially those who are silent killers, under the radar, unlike soldiers. I don't know why I smile whenever Danny Trejo shows his craggy mug in a movie, but I just do. Did you see that trailer for Machete? God, that is going to be horrible. I can't wait to see it.
_________________
"I've done . . . questionable things. Nothing the God of biomechanics wouldn't let you into heaven for." -Roy Batty

[jeffg]

Yeah, I should have said that I don't necessarily agree with that plot line, but it's out there. As a matter of fact, I believe that either the first or last AVP movie had the Predators on their homeworld sitting in chairs that mimicked that chair in Alien.

I know I keep saying the same thing, but it's just a one dimensional story. I may be overestimating the general public, but I think if they don't do something else, it's gonna get tiresome.

Jeff

[Huxley]

SPOILER ALERT!!


I wouldn't think that we can consider the Predator species to be too primitive to be able to create high technology; hell, we said the same thing about the Russians untill Sputnik. I would more think that the hunt is a symbolic, almost religiously fanatical part of a ruthless society, and yes, perhaps one that steals technology from other species as well, simillar to that old Strikeforce Morituri comic series.

This was better than the last weak dark effort, but I was expecting more toys like that Inuit Uluu-like brass knuckle power knife, or least something more interesting than the shoulder-mounted mini gattling plasma gun flapping around like a flaccid penis in the wind. And why bother giving the Fishburne character a Predator Camo screen if you don't have it factor into the movie somehow? And the two seperate castes of Predator seemed pretty contrived to me, it seemed liked some new Effects designer wanted to show off his interpretation of the Predator genus. Oh, and I thought the roach-emitting aliens would show up at the end to offer everyone a ride home, my bad.

Good movie, it would be fun if they have a sequel pick up right where this one left off. And Deck, I too love the idea that Danny Trejo is finally headlining a major movie, one with DeNiro no less.
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It Goddamn counts all the Goddamn time.

[jeffg]

Yeah, Hux, thanks for reminding me of the weapons. As if I haven't bitched enough about this movie.

No cool new stuff - and you're totally right - if you're going to hunt people with laser guided heavy weapons it's not all that challenging for the hunters.

The second movie was the best for that - that power net, the javelin, and that cool ass discus thing were awesome. All that from a not so great movie.

Jeff

[Huxley]

Hey, the female character mentioned that she was from IDF, which I interpret as Isreali Defense Force and yet she was clearly Latin. I don't know if I missed something or if it was just a casting oversight. Love the Russian guy, he had twice the personality of most Russians I know.
_________________
It Goddamn counts all the Goddamn time.

[Deckard]

She was also clearly hot.
_________________
"I've done . . . questionable things. Nothing the God of biomechanics wouldn't let you into heaven for." -Roy Batty

[Johnnycat]

I'll catch the movie this weekend. I saw the first Predator in some rundown theater in Portland. you know, one of those places that showed double features for a buck. Predator was the second movie shown. I hadn't even heard of it as we came for the first film. (That film? Get this "Legal Eagles." You gotta love the 80s.)
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The Force is like duct tape. There's a Dark Side and a Light Side, and it holds the universe together.

[Mikey]

[jeffg]

[bluewolf]

the movies never go into it but the books and comics of the predator franchise expand more on the culture of the Predators.

apperantly male and female preds are different almost to the point of beind different species.

Female preds are giants (30 feet tall) and do most of the leadership, culture and administration of the society. (the giant corpse that the marines found in Aliens (alien 2) was apperantly a predator female.

Male preds go on hunts to prove themselves and thus win the right to mate. They are judged on the difficulty of the hunt, the number and types of prey hunted and other factors. its unclear if this is perpetual or they hunt in their 'young adult years then take up a different role in society.

in the aliens vs predator story line Aliens are the go to enemy for preds to hunt, they are prety much the gold standard dont require much work to find. Predators will seed a place with a few Alien drones, then hunt them to prove their worth. occationaly however a predator decides to hunt other sentient species to be different. Any run of the mill predator can go to the game reserve and hunt an Alien drone or two... but if you want to stand out you take down a feral alien queen, or kill 5 warrior humans etc etc.

unfortunately this story depth is difficult to put into the movies and when they try you get the craptackular failure of the Aliens vs Predator movie.
_________________
Never surrender freedom for laws that can't affect
criminals; they disobey laws for a living.

--Wayne LaPierre, CNN commentary

[Lance]

[bluewolf]

I was concidering a belly dancing steam punk costume for worldcon next year if we do that. ^_^
_________________
Never surrender freedom for laws that can't affect
criminals; they disobey laws for a living.

--Wayne LaPierre, CNN commentary

[Lance]

[jeffg]

[Lance]

I would actually love to tinker out in my garage with brass and whatnot, but I could never put up with anyone who desires to relive Victorian sensibilities.

[Mikey]

The all time coolest steampunk video is "A Gentleman's Duel" by a little company called Blur. A little Google-fu and enjoy.
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If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it.
Marcus Aurelius