Review of AVP: Alien vs. Predator (2004) by Matthew K — 13 Nov 2010
Proof if proof were needed that what works in the pages of comic books doesn't always translate to the big screen, Alien vs Predator fails to reinvigorate either of its parent franchises. While the plot negates all the tension from the previous Alien films (why stop the alien's from getting to earth if they were already there?) and takes a little too much from the likes of Stargate and The Thing in its premise, there is still some fun to be had from its boobytrap-ridden setting and action/adventure style thrills.
The cast do their best with what they're given, and Paul W.S. Anderson's direction is competent enough, but where is the flare for generating suspense he demonstrated in Event Horizon? Had Fox thrown the money at it to relocate the same plot to a different setting (perhaps another planet, in Alien's timeframe) and had they allowed Anderson off the leash to at least give us some scares, then the whole thing would have played a lot better.
As it is, while it scrapes by on some fanboy moments (Aliens?... Predators?... Together!?) AvP is ultimately a bit of a PG flavoured disappointment.
This review of AVP: Alien vs. Predator (2004) was written by Matthew K on 13 Nov 2010.
AVP: Alien vs. Predator has generally received mixed reviews.
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