As a die-hard fan of both the “Alien” series and the “Predator” franchise, I’ve always been eagerly anticipating any new installments from these iconic franchises. So, when they decided to merge forces 21 years ago today for what could have been an epic clash, I was beyond excited! Unfortunately, the resulting film, “Alien vs. Predator” (AvP), while a financial triumph, left many fans and critics disappointed. The movie stirred up controversy due to its disregard for established lore, watering down the source material to secure a commercially-friendly PG-13 rating, and prioritizing action sequences over character development. To put it mildly, this collaboration didn’t quite meet the high standards we fans had hoped for.
Reflecting on various opinions, it’s clear that the movie “Alien vs. Predator” has drawn some supporters who have been able to overlook its flaws and focus on its strengths. However, the general sentiment seems to be that this film is somewhat misguided and fails to deliver a compelling narrative. To commemorate the anniversary of its release, we’ll be revisiting the aspects where it stumbles (and shines).
During an archaeological expedition, a daring mission takes place, focusing on a group of top-notch scientists who find themselves in a complex situation where they must navigate tensions between two rival species that are eager to engage in brutal conflict.
Alien vs. Predator Is Flashy Spectacle (That Largely Fails to Meet Expectations)
It seems as though the production of “Alien vs. Predator” was destined for controversy from the outset. As with all the “Alien” and “Predator” films, it carries an R-rating. Given this trend, one would expect a similarly intense R-rated presentation for “Alien vs. Predator”. However, the executives at 20th Century Fox (now 20th Century Studios) had other plans. Instead of creating a gritty and hardcore spectacle true to both franchises, they seemed intent on broadening the appeal by catering to a wider audience. This decision, while financially sound, led to significant backlash from fans of both series. The film managed an impressive box office gross of $177.4 million, but at the cost of alienating (no pun intended) their dedicated fanbases.
Although Alien vs. Predator offers a fair share of on-screen deaths, it falls short in delivering the graphic violence that each franchise is recognized for. Moreover, the film introduces a large number of underdeveloped human characters, many of whom are subsequently killed off once the title creatures make their appearance.
Critics raised concerns about the sequence of events as well. The movie, set in 2004, implies that xenomorphs had been around and used as hunting weapons for a long time by predators. However, this conflicts with the occurrences in the original ‘Alien’ film from 1979, where the crew encounters what seems to be one of the first xenomorph sightings in 2122. This apparent discrepancy seems daring for a film aimed at pleasing both the Alien and Predator fanbases. Shifting ‘AVP’ further into the future could have significantly reduced such chronology-related distractions.
As a passionate movie enthusiast, I’ve noticed that some critics have raised concerns about a particular film, claiming it frequently prioritizes style over substance. They argue that the director, Paul W.S. Anderson, seems to prefer dazzling visuals over a well-structured storyline. In simpler terms, they believe he often favors flashy aesthetics over a compelling narrative.
Despite some criticism, it’s worth noting that the film does boast one standout moment. Even those who are most critical of the movie have to acknowledge the creative scene where Sanaa Lathan’s character, an environmental technician, cleverly uses a detached xenomorph head as a shield. This scene is nothing short of impressive and innovative!
Audience members who appreciate the movie suggest it’s better viewed as an entertaining event rather than something overly critical or realistic. In other words, if you approach it with a light-hearted attitude, you’ll probably find more enjoyment compared to expecting flawless execution.
All in all, the film “Alien vs. Predator” has been met with much debate among fans, with more people expressing disapproval than approval. The PG-13 rating may have added to the criticism, as well as the underdeveloped characters. However, there are several notable scenes that make it worth watching at least once.
If you’re interested, you can stream “Alien vs. Predator” on Disney+ and Hulu. Every week, you can catch new episodes of the popular series “Alien: Earth” on Hulu. And if you’re craving more “Alien”, Fede Alvarez is currently working on a sequel to “Alien: Romulus”.
https://comicbook.com/movies/news/predator-movies-human-killed-prey/embed/#
Read More
- Gold Rate Forecast
- Wrestler Marcus “Buff” Bagwell Undergoes Leg Amputation
- ENA PREDICTION. ENA cryptocurrency
- PS5’s ChinaJoy Booth Needs to Be Seen to Be Believed
- Microsoft is on track to become the second $4 trillion company by market cap, following NVIDIA — and mass layoffs
- AI-powered malware eludes Microsoft Defender’s security checks 8% of the time — with just 3 months of training and “reinforcement learning” for around $1,600
- xAI’s $300/month Grok 4, billed as a “maximally truth-seeking AI” — seemingly solicits Elon Musk’s opinion on controversial topics
- Anime’s Greatest Summer 2024 Shonen Hit Drops New Look Ahead of Season 2
- Lewis Capaldi Details “Mental Episode” That Led to Him “Convulsing”
- Minecraft lets you get the Lava Chicken song in-game — but it’s absurdly rare
2025-08-14 22:19