DAILY FILM DOSE: A Daily Film Appreciation and Review Blog: ALIEN VS. PREDATOR: REQUIEM

Friday 11 April 2008

ALIEN VS. PREDATOR: REQUIEM


Alien vs. Predator: Requiem (2008) dir. Greg and Colin Strauss
Starring: John Ortiz, Reiko Aylesworth, Steven Pasquale, Johnny Lewis

*

“Alien vs. Predator: Requiem” derides both franchises because it serves only as a medium to put an Alien on screen with a Predator – with the most rudimentary, dull, unsuspenseful and uninteresting excuse for a story imaginable.

The entire concept of "Alien Vs. Predator" came from a fanboy wetdream. Since both "Predator" and "Alien" are both 20th Century Fox properties, this made it all the more likely that a movie (or two) would happen. It was first introduced as a comic book in 1989, then teased to us in “Predator 2” (1990) in a very brief shot of the Predator trophy case at the end of the film. It took fanboys the right timing of ‘pause’ or our VCRs to find the shot.

It was a great moment, but the seed was planted for the possibility of teaming up two sci-fi monsters in one movie. Monster movies have a long history of cross-over films. Perhaps the most famous is “King Kong Vs. Godzilla” (in Japanese and American versions with two different results). This on screen pairing was exciting, but certainly didn’t become a high point for either franchises.

And so, should we have expected any better from the "Alien vs. Predator" let alone the sequel? Yes. Fanboys have been so influential in the new millennium of fantasy/sci-fi cinema that movies such as these command serious thought from the development executives to satisfy their highly discriminating tastes.

“Alien vs. Predator: Requiem” is so unsatisfying because it’s obvious this film came from a script out some kind of automatic processing computer, instead of the mind of that discriminating writer writing for the fanboy.

The story begins as the first “Alien vs. Predator” ended. The Predator from the previous film is lying on a space gurney, dead. Suddenly a baby Alien bursts from his stomach revealing a new species of Predator (a Predator/Alien) hybrid. This new beast launches itself down to earth where it will plant its eggs and multiply in hopes of taking over the world. Hot on its tail is another Predator looking for revenge for killing his pal. And so the hunt is on.

In their way is a group of small town earthlings that stumble across this mighty battle. A group of teenagers, a mother looking for her missing husband and son, and a humble sheriff fight and flee against these creatures which pop up anywhere and everywhere. Then some of those swarmy government suits discover what’s going on and try to get in on the action – setting up yet another sequel which will likely disappoint.

The film is structured as a dull T & A teen horror flick. The usual methods of suspense are applied with amateurish results. The directors even attempt to recreate some of the great moments from both franchises over the years, but again with no panache or inspiration. Stereotypical and uninteresting human characters supply the body count for the alien. Only John Ortiz (that wonderful character actor from “Carlito’s Way” and “American Gangster”) as the do-good, yet out of his league sheriff, generates mild interest.

Rent Predator 1 or 2 (which is underrated by the way) or any of the four Alien films over “Alien vs. Predator: Requiem”.

"Alien vs. Predator: Requiem" is available on DVD April 15 from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment





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