Review of Aliens vs Predator: Requiem (2007) by Goethem — 23 Apr 2008

Ignore the stat skewing votes, this movie is about average. Crippled by the premise of of aliens on earth carried forward from its much worse predecessor by Paul Anderson, this movie at least manages to get the R-rated gore right.

It was further acquitted by a surprise ending that one hopes sets the franchise back on the rails. Featuring the Predator as our silent protagonist is both ambitious and flawed. More to be watched than listened, "Wolf" is a ruthless character true to his roots, his methods are interesting to follow and fans are spared the Predator-human buddy movie travesty of AvP1.

Humans are relegated to being cliched bystanders, so the largely mediocre dialog and sketchy characterization remains secondary to the action. A small American town is the stage and its hapless inhabitants and protectors are mere statistics in the titular conflict between species, which is the central focus here.

Rather than let this be a drawback, the brothers Strause manage to stay true to the limited scope of their creation and keep things simple. The monstrous antagonist brings something new to both worn franchises.

With blended shades of the Predators who repeatedly fail to contain it, the Predalien runs rampant through sewers, streets and buildings, sparing neither pregnant women nor babies, while threatening to spawn overwhelming numbers of xenomorphs.

AvP:R might appeal to Predator fans more than Alien aficionados. But while this movie provides no more and no less than popcorn entertainment, it still isn't the Requiem Fox should be aiming for.