Shane Black is known for some great scripts but this one may be his poorest, either that or he hired the worse editor in motion pictures. The plot and story are a jumbled mess that begs for more questions asked than answers them. Plot holes are so huge and obvious you wonder if you have fallen asleep many times throughout the film. Where do the heroes get an RV? How did they get a cache of weapons? Or the news helicopter? How is it that a biologist has the skills of a mercenary? Normally I would include some sort of outline of the film's plot that I review but it is truly so messy, I can't describe it. Character backstories are non-existent and some character's disappear altogether for a good amount of screen time only to reappear without an explanation. Whether this is the fault of a poor script or a bad editor, the story is one of the hardest to follow in years. The one good point is, like many of his scripts Black provides some humor as well as some fun nods to the previous films, but it isn't enough to cover for its obvious shortcomings.
The film's ending obviously sets up a future sequel, but like the rest of the film it is so out of place and chaotic you really don't care. Shane Black has the ability to make a much better film than this and why he didn't is the true questions to ask. Not even fans of the franchise will get excited for this film and it is truly one that should be avoided. Except for a few laughs and actions scenes this movie offers nothing but a waste of time. It might not even be worth a rental a few months from now.
Review of The Predator
The Predator
(2018)
The Predator misses an opportunity to revitalize the franchise.
17 September 2018