When a young boy accidentally triggers the universe's most lethal hunters' return to Earth, only a ragtag crew of ex-soldiers and a disgruntled scientist can prevent the end of the human race.
From the outer reaches of space to the small-town streets of suburbia, the hunt comes home. Now, the universe's most lethal hunters are stronger, smarter and deadlier than ever before, having genetically upgraded themselves with DNA from other species. When a young boy accidentally triggers their return to Earth, only a ragtag crew of ex-soldiers and a disgruntled science teacher can prevent the end of the human race.Written by
Twentieth Century Fox
According to reports from those involved in the film, leaked script and behind the scenes productions stills, Shane Black's original cut of the film had almost completely different third act which took place during day instead of night and it included the Loonies and the army joining up with newly arrived good Predators and then fighting with them against Upgrade and other Predator hybrids which he brought with him in his space ship, and originally the reason why Fugitive Predator was running from Upgrade is because he was trying to prevent him from stealing those hybrids back.
The early leaked behind the scenes stills showing Loonies and Predators dressed in army camouflage gear and driving an armored personnel carrier were from the original ending, which also included Rory helping the Loonies and others by flying Upgrade's spaceship, different deaths scenes, one of which was shown in another still picture where Coyle's mutilated body is covered with body parts from one of dead Predator hybrids, and the ending didn't include the sequel bait in the last scene like the final theatrical version of the film. However, following poor test screenings of original cut, the studio demanded big re-shoots and changes to be made on the film and specially the entire third act. One of the demands they had for the new third act was to add more action because they thought the original was too talkative. This explains many plot holes, continuity mistakes and bad editing problems the movie suffers from.
Edward James Olmos, as a result, had all of his scenes cut out due to this since his character, an army general who had a big role in the original third act and throughout the rest of the original cut, no longer fit the new re-shot version of the film, and according to Olmos, his character was also cut out due to pacing issues and because movie was too long.
All of the trailers for the film and behind the scenes videos show many different deleted, extended and alternate scenes from the original cut and the original ending, like McKenna running across the streets while holding a gun, an explosion in army base when it gets attacked by Predator hybrids, Nebraska and McKenna riding on an APC, Nebraska shooting from a 50 caliber machine gun while he's on the APC, some other vehicle exploding and rolling over during the same scene, McKenna screaming "Come on", McKenna and Rory sitting together and McKenna looking at the sky and telling "Come and get us motherfuckers", which was originally part of the dialogue scene between him and Casey after they defeat Upgrade and realize that other Predators will arrive on Earth. See more »
Goofs
When Dr. Bracket is shown pictures from the previous Predator encounters, the image from Predator 2 is dated as being from 1990 (when the movie was released) but the year should read 1997 as stated moments earlier by Traeger. See more »
Quotes
[first lines]
Haines:
[on radio]
Picket One, copy. Do you got eyes on hostages?
Quinn McKenna:
Still negative.
Dupree:
[on radio]
20 bucks says they don't show.
Quinn McKenna:
You two morons really making bets on whether a drug cartel has executed hostages?
Dupree:
Abso-fucking-lutely.
Haines:
I believe that was implied.
Dupree:
Just checking. I'm in for 20.
See more »
Alternate Versions
The Chinese version is heavily censored, and runs about 2 minutes shorter than the US version. It removes nearly all violence and gore, sometimes digitally erasing blood from existing scenes. In addition, nearly all profanity and sexual innuendo is either removed or alternate dialogue is used. See more »
I'd heard nothing but bad things about The Predator, wall to wall hatred and mockery. It was even suggested that it was one of the worst movies of 2018 and comparable with the messy AVP movies. Going in I was forced to have low expectations, and I firmly disagree.
Let's make something clear, I am not saying The Predator is a good film because it simply isn't but worst of 2018? Absolutely not. It's just a badly flawed addition to the franchise yet manages to be oddly loyal at the same time.
So a Predator comes to Earth but this time the government is ready for it. Cue lots of action, blood shed but a pretty wafer thin plot that doesn't exactly go anywhere.
With a stellar cast including Thomas Jane, the stunning Olivia Munn and the excellent Keegan-Michael Key it had no problems on that front. Okay actually I retract that, the leading man Boyd Holbrook is less than impressive and just wasn't up to the task.
With an odd amount of comedy and levity The Predators tone isn't exactly in keeping with the original movies yet manages to solidly feel like a Predator film thanks to the original score and franchise tropes. I loved the first movie, I thought the second was passable and hated the third but this right here is underwhelming yet perfectly watchable despite the lashings of Hollywoodness it has.
Sure it's goofy and badly flawed but I'm not sure exactly what everyone expected. There are certainly a lot of problems with the film, I'd have liked it to be darker, I'd have liked it to be longer and I'd liked the original Predator to have gotten more screentime.
Regardless despite it's many many problems it comes under the category of harmless take your brain out fun.
The Good:
Loyal score
Some great nods to previous movies
Quite a few very funny moments
Decent cast
The Bad:
Lacks elements that should be essential for a Predator movie
Naff ending
Much of the cast feel wasted
52 of 91 people found this review helpful.
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I'd heard nothing but bad things about The Predator, wall to wall hatred and mockery. It was even suggested that it was one of the worst movies of 2018 and comparable with the messy AVP movies. Going in I was forced to have low expectations, and I firmly disagree.
Let's make something clear, I am not saying The Predator is a good film because it simply isn't but worst of 2018? Absolutely not. It's just a badly flawed addition to the franchise yet manages to be oddly loyal at the same time.
So a Predator comes to Earth but this time the government is ready for it. Cue lots of action, blood shed but a pretty wafer thin plot that doesn't exactly go anywhere.
With a stellar cast including Thomas Jane, the stunning Olivia Munn and the excellent Keegan-Michael Key it had no problems on that front. Okay actually I retract that, the leading man Boyd Holbrook is less than impressive and just wasn't up to the task.
With an odd amount of comedy and levity The Predators tone isn't exactly in keeping with the original movies yet manages to solidly feel like a Predator film thanks to the original score and franchise tropes. I loved the first movie, I thought the second was passable and hated the third but this right here is underwhelming yet perfectly watchable despite the lashings of Hollywoodness it has.
Sure it's goofy and badly flawed but I'm not sure exactly what everyone expected. There are certainly a lot of problems with the film, I'd have liked it to be darker, I'd have liked it to be longer and I'd liked the original Predator to have gotten more screentime.
Regardless despite it's many many problems it comes under the category of harmless take your brain out fun.
The Good:
Loyal score
Some great nods to previous movies
Quite a few very funny moments
Decent cast
The Bad:
Lacks elements that should be essential for a Predator movie
Naff ending
Much of the cast feel wasted