The New Predators Movie Is Surprisingly Very Good

Anyone who has read this blog knows that I am a big movie fan and I am happy to say that just when my disappointment is this year’s crop of movies was on the upswing, here comes the new Predators movie. I must confess that I reluctantly paid to see the new Predators movie and I was more than pleasantly surprise. One does not normally picture Adrien Brody as an action star – he is best known for his Oscar caliber performances, memorably giving Halle Berry a prolong kiss during his Oscar win.

Whether Mr. Brody was slumming or perhaps, he took the role to pad his pocketbook, is of no consequence because the script, cadence, and action sequences were worthy of Mr. Brody’s participation. Among the stellar cast supporting Mr. Brody were: Laurence Fishburne, Walton Goggins, Alice Braga, and Topher Grace.

Somehow the writers of this Predators movie succeeded in pumping new life into this cult franchise. Without giving away too much of the plot line, this time around, humans are abducted and brought to a far away planet game reserve, with the prey being man and woman. I say woman because there is a Miss Braga who holds her own against the men, akin to Sigourney Weaver’s take in James Cameron’s “Aliens.” I do not know if the writers are PETA advocates with the theme of  humans being the prey storyline; whatever the lesson, the movie delivers.

Brody brings life to the brooding character he plays, but above all is Laurence Fishburne’s manic scene stealing role. Topher Grace from the 70’s Show fame, whose character is enigmatic, gives a great performance too – no one should doubt that he has the acting chops because we have seen him skillfully holding his own against veterans like Michael Douglas in the movie “Traffic.”

Another actor who quickened and animated the new Predators movie was the actor Walton Goggins. I have given this man’s acting props before in his scene stealing role in the FX television series, “Justified;” in Predator, he is at it again and the audience will be rolling in laughter with the delivery of his lines. I know, like me, you might have reservations about seeing a movie in its third incarnation, but do not let this stop you from seeing a very good movie. It must be noted that the new Predators movie had good movie making pedigree since fame director Robert Rodriguez was one of the producers.