The Predator

between humans and aliens.

While on paper, what I described makes it sound like the film is a huge action-fest. But believe it or not, it really is a comedy, with some gore thrown in.

The script (co-written by Black and horror-comedy director-writer Fred Dekker) is sloppy and weak, and feels more like a parody of a Predator movie. While the action scenes are clearly the best parts of the film, all the thrills are undercut by the jokes, so much so that you don’t feel any sense of dread or fear for the characters who are supposedly in peril.

The film’s only saving grace are the performances by the actors, who surpass the material they are given.

The disturbed soldiers whom McKenna enlists to help him fight the Predator mostly comprise recognisable actors, and they genuinely have fun with their roles.

I especially liked Trevante Rhodes as Nebraska Williams, whose natural charisma lights up the screen, and Thomas Jane, who had some really funny moments as a vet with Tourettes.

But even if you can take the comedy moments, and slog through the strangely disjointed ending, the true test comes with the film’s epilogue, which blatantly sets up a sequel that will remind you of a certain Marvel superhero film. That is the moment that The Predator leaves all semblance of logic behind, and jumps into fanfiction.

While the film is somewhat entertaining, I really would urge fans to approach with caution.