Movie Review: “The Predator”

Set in the same universe as the other “Predator” movies, 2018’s “The Predator” is giving this franchise another chance at the movies by introducing new characters and possibly even a sequel or two, depending on how the film does.

Setting its own pace and tone from its predecessors, Shane Black’s “The Predator” is “good gory fun” which could either be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on how you look at it. You might miss the stalking and really hunting that the Predator does, or did in previous films. It was lacking here, what we have instead is an explosive and messy third act, albeit there’s a lot of action in it.

The film opens when a spaceship carrying a ‘Predator’ crashes right in the middle of a military operation in Mexico being led by Boyd Holdbrook’s Quinn McKenna. McKenna  escapes and takes evidence with him, alien tech which he mails home (to a post office, that unfortunately is past due) knowing the risk of him being a “lose end” the government will have to cut to keep this under wraps. The alien tech reaches the hands of his autistic son, Rory (Jacob Tremblay).

Sent off to a military hospital and diagnosed as “insane” McKenna finds himself in a bus full of former military who were discharged for one reason or another. The group calls themselves the “Loonies” and while in mid transport to the military hospital witnesses the escape of “The Predator” who has been captured by a group of scientists led by Sterling K. Brown’s Will Traeger. One of those scientists is Olivia Munn’s Casey Bracket, a biologist who isn’t afraid to hold a shotgun, should the occasion call for it.

The Loonies and Casey join forces as they try to rescue Rory, who is being targeted by “The Predator” as he is in possession of lethal alien technology.

Comedy and action ensues as the literally rag tag team ride through suburbia in Halloween while trying to search for Rory and with a deadly Predator just behind them, things are about to get exciting.
I liked the idea of not having “the best, the strongest and most intelligent” go up against the Predator, instead what you have is literally the least, the lost and the last and really not the most ideal crew but its their underdog charm which endears you to them.

Truly, the strength of “The Predator” is in its fun and likeable cast, which also includes  Keegan-Michael Key, Alfie Allen, Trevante Rhodes, Thomas Jane and Augusto Aguilera.  

Boyd Holbrook, left, and Jacob Tremblay star in Twentieth Century Fox’s “The Predator.”

Injected with humor and action, “The Predator” will keep you entertained and it doesn’t shy on the f-bombs, the gore or the body count either.  While the cast was fun and endearing, led by an able Holdbrook, I had a few problems with the plot, such as the intentions of the “Predator” being unclear and a missed opportunity for more story (maybe in sequels?), also I felt that Tremblay’s performance of a boy with autism wasn’t consistent throughout the movie. If you see the kind of work they put through the series “Atypical” you would be ashamed. I mean, if you will create a character who is on the spectrum, do it right.
I did not and will not get Alien dogs.
I felt that the epilogue was not well done. It felt sloppy and just had poor direction but I am excited to see where the franchise goes moving forward, should there be a sequel. 
“You know Whoopi Goldberg? Its like an Alien Whoopi Goldberg.”
6.5/10. “The Predator” is now showing.