Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007)

I’m in the minority here, but I actually prefer this film to the first film. Yes, the story is just as bad, and the acting, characterisation and script might be even worse, but unlike the first film, I actually can watch this from beginning to end, and not get bored. The fast pacing is both a pro and con. On one hand, it means we never get attached to a character before they’re abruptly killed off in a gory, over the top fashion, but on the other hand, it means I never have the urge to turn it off in lieu of sheer boredom. I hate the film centering on teenagers, because it makes the movie feel more like a cheap slasher film than an Alien or Predator film, and all the other characters are bland and stale. My biggest issue with the film is the horrendous lighting, which makes it impossible to see anything. I get the feeling watching the action scenes that if they were filmed correctly, they’d be fun, but they are so awfully shot I can’t tell.

I do think that the Predalian (what a stupid name) does make for a unique and “cool” villain, and the main Predator (I think he’s called Wolf) is pretty awesome as well. I liked his assortment of weapons and the idea of him being a veteran. I also liked that the makers slimmed down his body to be more in line with the original Predators, rather than the bulked up Predators from the first AvP film. My biggest issue with Aliens was the Xenomorphs being weak and easily killed off, but that’s nothing compared to how they’re portrayed here. They get killed left, right and centre, like low level enemies in video games. To my utter dismay, even the untrained pizza delivery boy is able to shoot one down with ease.

So, yeah, this movie is utter garbage, but on the count of it being fun to watch, and having a few good things, I’ll give this a three out of ten.