Predators

Director: Nimród Antal
Cast: Adrien Brody, Topher Grace, Alice Braga and Laurence Fishburne
Releasing in cinemas: 8 July 2010
Rated: MA 15+

The first part of Predators is certainly the best. A group of assorted mercenaries are parachuted into unknown territory by unknown forces. The group try and work out why they’re dumped in an alien swampy jungle, and what hostile critters hide beyond the murky depths of this threatening location. Maybe they’re in Hell. It’s creepy, suspenseful, and intriguing; like the early episodes of TVs Lost before it got lost in its own convolutions.

It doesn’t take long to determine their tough unofficial leader Royce (Adrien Brody) and his motley team are trapped within a huge game reserve in a distant galaxy - they themselves desperate hunters on planet Earth, are now the game.

The party consists of Isobelle (Alice Braga) an Israeli army sniper with a dash of conscience, hulking Russian Special Forces soldier Nikolai (Oleg Taktarov), chatty serial killer Walter Stans (Walton Goggins), African soldier-warlord (Mathershalalhashbaz Ali), Yukuza hit man Hanzo (Louis Ozawa Changchien) who’s sharp with the sword, and Cuchillo (Danny Trejo doing Danny Trejo) your friendly Mexican cocaine dealer and enforcer. Bringing up the rear is quiet doctor Edwin (Topher Grace) clearly out of his depth with these merciless killers. We’re not really sure why he’s there at all.

The picture gets off to a flying start as we descend in wild free fall with Adrien Brody while he parachutes into unknown territory. Use of close-ups and sound add to the drama as the various members of the team land around the jungle drop site, all weaponed up and wondering where the heck they’ve landed. Glimpses of the deadly enemy are seen through the heavy foliage as a cat-and-mouse hunt begins. “We gonna need a new plan” is the order of the day.

As usual, when we get a good look at the predators - a new generation ‘Alien’ creatures with touch of ‘Star Wars’ and kiss of CGI - it’s a bit of a letdown. Brody, out of character as a menacing mercenary doing Arnie Schwarzenegger from the 1987 Predator, is far removed from The Pianist. He takes on the action role with more comfort than you may expect from this dramatic thespian, although he had some preparation in King Kong.

Up to this point, the direction’s sharp and the tension maintained with plenty of shock treatment. There’s a pause for breath and consultation, when CSI’s man of the moment Laurence Fishburne appears as Noland, a battered old survivor from a previous hunt offering to help the threatened company. Unfortunately Noland’s a little on the dodgy side. The situation only gets worse and an imprisoned nightmare creature must be harnessed to try and save the day in a battle of the Titans. The picture moves on at dogged pace, never quite regaining the enthralling first act.

Producer Robert Rodriguez (From Dusk Till Dawn) gives us a rejigging of the Predator franchise. It’s written by Alex Litvak and Michael Finch based on a script by Rodriguez with a passing nod to the first Predator film, and is directed by Nimród Antal (Armoured). The special effects department are out in full force, although in fairness Brody and his team did many knockabout stunts themselves. The cinematography is crisp with smart camera work. The tracking shots seen on a big screen are almost in the 3D category.

Predators, without achieving the dramatic suspense of the 1987 original, still puts up enough thrills to keep you from looking at your watch.

John Bale