What can be said about the original Predator film, it is a classic in its own right and one of the best sci-fi horror films ever made. Directed by John McTiernan and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Predator was spawned from the alpha male driven, ultra-violent cinema of the late 1980’s. It had that over the top blood & guts machismo that defined an era. Surprisingly, when it was first released the Predator received mixed reviews from critics. Since 1987 the drum-beat of admiration has steadily increased however and the reviews have grown more positive. Predator has appeared on a number of “best of” lists, including being named the 22nd greatest action movie of all time by Entertainment Weekly.
Highly influential, often imitated and never matched, Predator has spawned three sequels and an Alien franchise crossover. The latest sequel “The Predator” is directed by Shane Black who also co-starred in the original (the guy with the glasses). In the years since he has become a major hollywood player with writing accolades that include Lethal Weapon 1 and 2, The Monster Squad, The last Boy Scout and Last Action Hero. He has also written and directed Iron Man 3 and The Nice Guys. Black also directed Kiss Kiss Bang Bang: an intensely funny neo-noir, genre mash-up starring Robert Downey Jr., and partially based on the novel “Bodies Are Where You Find them”. If you have not seen it, I highly recommend.
When the news broke that Black was to helm the Rasta Alien’s latest outing, Predator fans and studio execs alike rejoiced. There seemed to be no better choice to write and direct the latest Predator installment. What can go wrong? Recently screened at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival; The Predator received less then stellar reviews. Criticized as convoluted, awkward, tonally unbalanced and of course the ever popular snipe, “over reliant on computer-generated imagery”. With a proven director who can mash-up genre tropes and a great cast including the hilarious Keegan-Michael Key, the always beautiful and convincing Olivia Munn and the great villain from Logan, Boyd Holbrook; you would think we would get the Predator movie we deserve. According to the critics we have not, but maybe we still can.
The contemporary reviews for the original Predator were not great either, with only 45% being positive, it was described as “grisly and dull by the The New York Times . When Predator 2 was released it was criticized for its racist undertones, unoriginal premise and extreme violence. 
The only positive reviews pointed towards Danny Glover’s performance and the brooding dark tone of the film. It is now considered a cult classic among fans and is still exceedingly fun to watch. The 80’s action movie cliches are hilarious and welcoming while its bleakness and fatalism is so over the top that it is neither bleak nor fatalistic. Not to mention, Glover was a great casting choice, he brings dimension to the character with a morally incorruptible portrayal of a desperate cop. Predators 2010 was hailed by some critics for “bringing the franchise back to its testosterone-fueled roots”. It succeeds due to the steady performances from Adrien Brody and Topher Grace, and by relying on those simple pleasures that made the original so great. It has also aged well.
As a fan of the franchise I am excited to see this film not only in the theaters but ten years from now and in-spite of what the critics are saying. Hopefully The Predator 2018 will live on in the minds of the cinephiles, growing in favor while the contemporary reviews are eventually seen as nearsighted and reactionary much like the original. The Predator films are tough to kill, like the Predator himself and have a habit of easing their way into the cult favorite ether.
FILM ----- TV ----- Sci-Fi 