Review of AVP: Alien vs. Predator (2004) by Jake H — 15 Nov 2014

In the aftermath of viewing the very, very less than stellar Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem, I decided to give the original AvP another chance, and I've now gained a new appreciation for this derpy little film.

It's by no means flawless. The characters are more identifiable by their quirks instead of actual traits, and despite the movie being categorized under the "horror" genre, there weren't any real scares or moments of suspense. But if I look at this film as a showcase of two of the most badass aliens in cinema history going head to head with one another in a battle to the death, then hell, this movie is actually kinda cool! The Aliens and Predators look absolutely fantastic, and the fight scenes were actually very well shot and choreographed. Director Paul W. S. Anderson is a big fan of both franchises in use, and it's great to see that admiration come to life on screen in his portrayal of the creatures, nailing their mannerisms, personalities, and even vocal tones. The setting of the film is even pretty creative and fresh, unlike its terrible sequel's.

Overall, I'd say AvP is Derptastic! There's a lot wrong with it, but if you want to watch badass aliens kick the shit out of each other, then look no further.