Hopes are high, then, that Shane Black can put the alien hunter back at the top of the Hollywood food chain where he belongs. The former had a solid enough premise compromised by its PG-13 rating the latter was brought low by its indifferent direction, bad-taste violence and a crew who apparently forgot to pay the electricity bill. The cast and crew may have suffered through injuries, illness and uncomfortable heat, but all of that played into its simple yet effective premise: a bunch of mercenaries stuck in the jungle, hunted and outgunned by an invisible alien hunter.Īll being well, the movie should mark a new chapter in the 80s franchise, which from its high point in the Arnold Schwarzenegger vehicle from 87 and a decent 90s sequel starring Danny Glover, was eventually brought low by two disappointing cross-over movies: Alien Vs Predator, directed by Paul WS Anderson in 2004, and Aliens V Predator: Requiem, directed by the Strauss brothers in 2007.
When director John McTiernan headed off into the steamy Central American jungle about 30 years ago to make Predator, the realism of the setting helped create one of the 1980s’ best action films.
