Predators Movie Review

While its producers are hoping to revive an old franchise that  originated with John McTiernan’s 1987 sci-fi thriller starring Arnold Schwarzenegger (Predator, singular), several critics would just as soon send it back to its grave. The New York Times’s Stephen Holden is one of them. While the filmmakers seem to be intent on creating a “karmic morality tale whose human predators finally get their comeuppance,” he writes, “this chaotic stew of fire, blood, mud and explosives is so devoid of terror and suspense that any metaphorical analysis is rendered moot.” In the San Francisco Chronicle, Amy Biancolli summarizes the plot, then observes, “None of this is scary, and nothing makes sense.” And Christopher Kelly concludes in the Dallas Morning News: “Predators mostly just suggests a bunch of grown-up men playing with toys and not bothering to invite the rest of us into their circle.” But Tirdad Derakhshani in the Philadelphia Inquirer assures “Predator purists” that they “have nothing to fear: This is a worthy follow-up.” Lisa Kennedy in the Denver Post agrees, calling it “a stylish, lean and, well, familiar outing.” And Michael O’Sullivan in the Washington Post suspects that the filmmakers really want us to take the whole affair as an inside joke. “In the end,” he concludes, “the film’s perverse party spirit wins out over any pretentious hoo-ha.”

Adrien Brody slept in the jungle to prepare for Predators

With the launch of his new movie “Predators“, his fans will be in for a treat as they see Brody conquer a different challenge on screen.

In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, the youngest lead actor Oscar winner relates that the real challenge came because he was often labeled as a ‘skinny’ actor. Brody was quoted: “It’s that they harp on a physical thing, because I don’t think there’s a question about my ability as an actor.”

It was certainly a big change for Brody to join the cast. The audience has been often treated to a bunch of beefy-looking actors (think Arnold Schwarzenegger and his group of trained soldiers) since the film has debuted back in 1987.

The L.A. Times has further quoted Brody: “It’s a role that a studio wouldn’t necessarily have me on a list for. And I had to kind of do some convincing, that I’m capable of physical transformation.”

To prepare for the role, Brody had to gain 25 pounds and trained with heavy weights. Taking things to a more serious level, Brody had also opted for a self-imposed isolation in the rain forest where the film was shot.