‘Predators’ is awful. I would strongly suggest you avoid - far better things you can do with your time like cleaning gravel. Unfortunately, the only quality Predator film, is Predator.
‘The Predator’ is up there with the AVP films for being totally stupid. All involved should hang their heads in shame.
I’ve not seen Predator Badlands, but I respect @Lister86 when it comes to films, so will keep an open mind until I’ve seen it.
I watched Prey earlier today, based on @Cristo recommendation. It was ok, entertaining, but nothing special. Compares well with the other sequels but that isn’t saying much.
Did you ever get round to watching Aliens? or any of the sequels? That is a far stronger series IMO.
Watched Predators last night. It was decent. Entertaining enough, but nothing I’d particularly recommend. The ending felt like sequel bait.
I liked the cast though. Topher Grace, Mahershali Ali and Walton Goggins are all good actors, and surprisingly, I actually bought Adrian Brody as a tough merc/special forces type. Going into it I thought this would be the biggest issue for me, but I think he actually pulled it off. Even if his gruff, deep tough guy voice sounded a bit put on at times.
Probably my favourite moment was when the band of humans reach a clearing, see the sky with multiple massive planets in it, and realise that they are on an alien planet. That was definitely a memorable moment.
Regarding Topher Grace’s character, [spoiler]
from the moment he started talking about that plant with it’s poisonous nerve toxins, I knew what time it was lol. It really was a very obvious case of Chekhov’s gun.They probably needed to disguise the twist a bit more, because as soon as he was introduced it was clear that he was being presented as being different to all the others, ie not a skilled murderer, I knew that that must be exactly what he was.
[/spoiler]I think the problem with this as a franchise is that I find the Predators less and less scary the more I see of them. The first one will always be the best because you see so little of the Predator. Its the mystique of it, the mystery, the constant tension of knowing there is this unseen threat stalking the humans, vut not really knowing what it is or what it’s full range of capabilities are. But you can’t run a whole franchise based on a character like this and keep them forever hidden in the shadows, eventually you have to show us more. The problem for me is that the more I see the Predator, the more it just looks like a basketball player in a costume.
Edit: doesn’t really matter as this is a fairly unpopular 15 year old movie, but any idea why the spoiler tags aren’t working @Bl1nk? They worked at first, but then I edited the text inside the tags and they stopped working. I’ve since deleted the original tags and tried to both use the spoiler button and then manually type the spoiler tags out, but neither have worked.
Have just seen Badlands. Really good movie. That’s a pretty solid list, mine would be:
Predator
Predator: Badlands
Prey
Predators
Predator 2
The Predator
Probably a bit unfair on Predator 2 but having seen it recently as well, it hasn’t aged well. A lot of stuff in it comes off very corny.
On the other hand, the original Predator has aged well and is still #1 for me.
Interesting…not seen Badlands yet, but two good reviews from you and @Lister86 have spiked my interest. I mostly agree with your list. Like you I don’t rate Predator 2…I have tried so hard to like the film over the years. I bought it and it is part of my film collection, but unlikely to upgrade the version I have in the future. That said, I’d still rate it above Predators!
A young man who works at a bar in 1990s NYC is caught up in a drug money fuck up that has every gang in his part of NYC coming after him thanks to his Punk neighbour - played by Matt Smith - and how he plans to solve it without getting killed.
This was a really fun movie. Austin Butler, Zoe Kravitz, Matt Smith, Regina King - among others. Really recommend it for some light entertainment. It is by no means a masterpiece but its a fun time and is directed by Darren Aronofsky, so ya know it’ll be competently done.
Seeing people’s top three Tarantino films would be interesting.
For me it goes Pulp Fiction > Reservoir Dogs > Jackie Brown, though over the years at different points I think I’ve claimed each one to be my favourite.
Not to say I haven’t enjoyed pretty much all of his later films too, but I definitely think his best three films are his first three, and by some distance tbh.
While he wrote it and Tony Scott directed it, I’d also say that I think True Romance is better than his later work too. Apparently it was one of his first scripts and he sold it to fund making Reservoir Dogs, which worked out pretty well, to put it mildly.
If we’re talking critically then I’d agreee that those are his best three films. Personally I’d put Jackie Brown as his best, which won’t be a popular choice.
I do have a soft spot for Kill Bill, and although I’ve not seen the new combined version, I’d be tempted to include this in my personal favourite 3 list which would be Jackie Brown > Pulp Fiction > Kill Bill.
