20th Century Fox
Twenty years ago in 2004 , an epic matchup most sci - fi fans wanted finally happened . Yet uponAlien vs. Predator’s(orAVP)initial release in 2004 , the movie was met with mixed - to - minus brushup . But in the 20 year sinceAVP ’s firing , the critical tide has slowly turned . The camp , goofy , and bombastic — which was disdain by viewers eld ago — is now embraced and relish , even relished .
Plus , compared to the absolute scraps that both thePredatorandAlienfranchiseshave put out in the last 20 years , AVPis now one of the better movies from both franchises . So , whether you want to hear it or not , I declare thatAlien vs. Predatorisn’t as bad as you recall . In fact , it ’s in reality pretty damn enjoyable . Here ’s why .
20th Century Fox
It has a great setting that allows for cool action set pieces
One ofAVP ’s greatest strength was its unparalleled and awesome setting . The squad of IE finds themselves deeply under the ice of a remote island in an ever - shift synagogue . As the room open and close , the team finds themselves trapped in an impossible scenario . They have to escape both aliensandPredators , while also trying to find the exit and get away to the surface .
In many ways , AVPwas mapped out like a repugnance film . A group enters a blank — which in this case is fundamentally an underground arena — and then it becomes a last - valet - standing battle to the finish . The temple ’s ever - shifting layout also gives the Xenomorphs and Predators tons of position to hide , shuck , and pop out from .
Confining the picture show to a individual setting also helped make it better . Because we pass 90 % of the movie in the temple , the background becomes way more immersive since we have the intact film to explore it .
Yes, the plot is simple … but it works
The confined setting ofAVPalso wreak for another ground : It keep the plot simpleton . human being enter the temple , they take in it ’s really a field , but it ’s already too late and they ’re now pin down in a death match between outlander and Predators . Sometimes simpler is better . Being stuck in an underground Predator - created demise tangle is a compelling news report , andAVPknew that . There was no penury to bog it down or rarify it .
equate that to more recent moving picture like 2018’sThe Predator , which affect the military and cover - ups , Predator - human hybrids , piranha - hot dog - exotic affair , a Predator - kill armoured courting , and even a whole subplot about autism ( who thought that was a honorable idea???).The Predatorwas all over the place . It ’s like 10 screenwriters all competed to publish the dumbestPredatorscript ever , and then the high - ups at 20th Century Fox decided to just combine them all into one film .
For most moving picture , more is never good . When you only have an hour and a half to play with , add more graphic symbol and subplots means nothing ever become enough clip to be fully fleshed out . AVP ’s simple “ survive the deathmatch ” plot kept the movie simple , grounded , and made everyone ’s motives clear . 2022’sPreyalso found success by staying simple , returning to the classic cat - and - mouse chase that madethe originalPredatorso suspenseful and exciting .
Compared to modern action movies, AVP looks great
unluckily , The Predatorisn’t the only newerAlienandPredatormovie that sucked . It ’s sadly just one of many . Compared to a Brobdingnagian majority of the more recent movie , AVPholds up middling bloody well .
First up wasAVP ’s own continuation , 2007’sAVP : Requiem . I saw this movie in theaters and was so bored I could n’t expect for it to end . In fact , it ’s so bad I hardly even remember the plot . The only matter I can call back are a random scene in a eminent school swim pool and that two - third of the movie was so dark I could n’t recite what was move on . Based on its 12 % Rotten Tomatoes rating , it ’s clear I ’m not the only one who hated the moving picture .
Then there ’s 2010’sPredators , which follow a group of mankind who are dropped into an foreign woodland . The shocking eddy : It ’s actually a Predator hunting ground , and they ’re the prey . First off , that ’s blatantly ripping offAVP . second , Predatorswas an action movie that draw a blank the franchise ’s nail-biting roots . Without the element of suspense and horror , the Yautja are amazingly ho-hum antagonist , makingPredatorspretty snoozy .
Also on the detritus list is 2017’sAlien : Covenant . After 2012’sPrometheuspolarized critic and interview because it divagate so far from a traditionalAlienplotline , everyone was anticipate a regaining to shape withCovenant . Instead , we got a movie about black guck and more of Michael Fassbender ’s insufferably annoying mechanical man David .
Every individual trouble inCovenantwas triggered by the human crew ’s stupidity . They literally do the untimely thingevery . Single . sentence . The humans are so stupid you ca n’t expect until they ’re all bushed . Oh , and we do in the end see the classic Xenomorph again for a whole 15 minutes , but it ’s all so hie and sloppy that it ’s not scarey and feels more like an insult to the dealership .
I ’m felicitous to see thatCovenant ’s Rotten Tomatoes consultation score has drop to 55 % . Just as time has proven thatAVPisn’t so bad , it ’s also givenCovenantthe panning it so rightfully deserves . Compared to the slops that ’s been released over the last 20 twelvemonth , AVPjust keeps looking well and better .
The movie has a solid female protagonist who wasn’t Ripley
BothAlienandPredatorlinger between musical genre . They ’re sci - fi , but also suspensive , and have horror elements , but also kind of experience like natural action motion-picture show . But the bestAlienandPredatormovies adopt the revulsion formatting — the slasher data format in particular — and they all give us a final girl ( or guy cable ) .
Think about it , the motion picture follow the slasher pattern almost perfectly . A group find themselves lose in an environment , and the bad guy stalk them , pop them off one by one until we have our sub . Aliengave us Ripley , Predatorgave us Dutch , andPreygave us Naru . AVPfollowed the same data formatting , with the expedition crew dying off one by one until Alexa “ Lex ” Woods ( Sanaa Lathan ) remain as the solitary survivor . After killing a Xenomorph , she officially proves herself as a warrior among the Predators and aid the last stay Yautja escape the temple .
you’re able to class the film however you desire , but it ’s clear that the films execute best when they follow the slasher format . When the movies try out to be anything else , it always seems to destroy the experience . Nobody wants to see human - marauder DNA meddling , this isn’tJurassic Park , and nobody want to see the Xenomorph ’s backstory search so full that we ’re left follow a movie about black goo . The mystery behind the Xenomorphs and the Predators is part of what makes them scarey .
It gives the audience what it wants
AVP , despite its flaws , seemed to recognize that . People watchAlienandPredatormovies to be mark by terrifying sci - fi freak . And forAVPin particular , they want to watch the two juggernaut of sci - fi duke it out . AVPfollows the formatting that works , it kept its plot simpleton , and the pic take place in a fun and unique stage setting that makes you desire to keep watch .
IsAVPsilly and harass with a few plot of ground holes ? Yes . Its director , Paul W.S. Anderson , is recognise for making B movies that are lowbrow , derivative , and somewhat stupid . But is it also dozens of fun and feels like a real , right part of theAlienandPredatoruniverse ? Yes . Ignore the old reviews and the bad reputationAlien vs. Predatorhas below the belt been give . It ’s actually a really fun picture show that you ’ll enjoy , I call .
StreamAlien vs. PredatoronHulu .
