AVP: Alien vs. Predator

Hidden under the ice of Antarctica there lies a vast Aztec temple like no other. In the bowls of this temple is a huge set of chains for holding down some massive creature. Connected to this room are multiple shoots leading to another room filled with alters and the bones of humans. Huge statues of spear holding, armour plated warriors line the interweaving corridors and all is dark, quiet and still. Up in space an unknown ship has arrived in the vicinity containing 5 young creatures bent on performing their coming of age ritual. Meanwhile a set of humans, guided by the cautious Alexa Woods (Lathan) and led by the dying billionaire industrialist Charles Bishop Weyland (Henriksen) is making its way across the ice, and the temple beneath. There isn’t really much need to provide a detailed plot summary of this film; the title gives you the general idea. However, the film’s background is interesting; the history of how aliens, predators and earth are linked is quite a good concept and makes the beginning half hour really engrossing. It does trail off a little after this time, when the action really begins you may start to remember how good films like Alien and Predator are, and that Hollywood is just doing a Freddy vs Jason on us again. However, the visuals alone are worth the ticket price, considering that the founding movies were made in the 80’s it’s nice to see some updated aliens and predators, carefully balancing use of CGI and good old fashioned creatureworks.

This film is more brutal than you’d probably expect. The character of Alexa Woods (Lathan) as the fiercely capable and independent guide keeps things interesting. She begins as the main protagonist, and then becomes diluted by the other characters. In fact this film breaks the Hollywood tradition of allowing you to guess who survives by who you have heard of; this film is very harsh to all its characters and contains many surprises.
Certainly could be better, but as a chance to see aliens and predators doing what they do best on the big screen, this film is not to be missed.

Anthony Loh