I’ve just watched Shane Black’s The Predator, and before we dive into the review, first let me start by telling you my expectations for this movie.

I’m a huge Predator fan. From my first viewing of the original Predator movie at six years old it has resided in my top three favorite movies of all time. I’ve watched it constant repeat over the years and have been fascinated with Yautja culture and mythology ever since.

I’ve read nearly all of the Dark Horse comic series as well as different Predator novelizations. I am also the proud owner of a vast collection of Predator memorabilia and figures. I even have a large tattoo of Predator cover art on my thigh. Basically, without sounding too inflated, I’m a fan, and I know my shit.

When the new movie was announced, I ran through a range of emotions. Obviously, I was intrigued, excited, and yet skeptical. I was aware that failure for this movie could set the franchise back years, or maybe even finish it. That is when I heard Shane Black had written the script and was assigned to direct.

This put me a bit more at ease. This guy was in the original (Hawkins) and was on hand to add to the script. Nostalgia aside, he seemed prepared for the role of director. He had acquired a lot of writing and directing success in his career, and some failures too (Iron man 3). This guy knew the impact the movie had and what it meant to the fans.

At least that’s what I hoped.

I’ll attempt to keep spoilers to a minimum, as I know they can ruin the film experience. Before watching the movie I also read no spoilers or comments as I wanted an open mind to judge everything for myself. Here are my notes what I enjoyed, what I found ridiculous, and what made me infuriated:

The Enjoyable

If you’re looking for a Sci-fi/Action movie then you may enjoy this one.

The acting is Decent Boyd Holbrook does a good job in his role and comes across every inch the cocky bad boy soldier. His ragtag unit is a great bunch and you easily find yourself rooting for throughout. Olivia Munn’s character is what you would expect– the beautiful scientist who becomes action heroine who shows no fear chasing down murderous aliens.







The action sequences are Great Cool gory scenes that you’d expect. A lot of slicing off body parts and decapitated soldiers for shock value.



The comedy was Good There are great one-liners, mainly from Holbrook’s unit who refer to themselves as “The Loonies.” One absolutely ridiculous scene occurs when the Predator uses the severed hand of a soldier to give a thumbs up.



Yeah I know it’s as ridiculous as it sounds.

The Ridiculous

Obviously, I can’t give away the plot, which when it was revealed, I hated.

Strange plot decisions There is a genetically enhanced Super Predator. I hated the idea of this straight away. I don’t like the classic Predator being messed with for no reason other than a weak plot device. There is a standard Predator we see, but I can’t say too much about them without revealing spoilers. Just know it’s his intentions that are different.



Terrible CGI I much prefer the guy in a suit look for a Predator movie. The Predator dogs are absolutely ridiculous. and are nothing like the hunting hounds we see in Predators. These one have dreadlocks for god’s sake!



The Infuriating

If you’re a Predator fanatic, you’ll hate this movie.

No continuity with the current mythos Shane Black has taken the Yautja mythology and culture and wiped his ass with it. I cannot say any more without giving away massive spoilers. But know I was gutted. This movie did not feel like a Predator movie as any fan would agree. The ending alone ruined the whole movie for me.



For the fans– when you see the ending, I think you would agree with me that Shane Black tried to bring The Predator into a certain universe that already has a red metal suit wearing superhero.

If you want an action movie with some Sci-fi monsters thrown in, you may enjoy this movie. If that is all I was judging it on, to be honest, it would be a fun movie. But If you want a Predator movie that you hope will reinvigorate the franchise? You will be destroyed. I think this movie has killed off the type of Predator movie true fans hoped for. I’m not sure I’ll ever forgive that.

Mr. Black, you let me down.

Article by: Wayne Redshaw