8/ PREDATOR 2. 1990. DIRECTED BY STEPHEN HOPKINS.

This film is the exact opposite to Alien Resurrection. Predator 2 is a well-made film, with good effects and competent film making. But it’s so boring! The predator has arrived during a drug war in Los Angeles. Here he goes about hunting the cartel members and the police force to get himself some trophies. It’s up to a squad of police (led by Danny Glover and including the late Bill Paxton) to end his hunt. It’s not a bad story. It does what every good sequel should, taking the original and then building upon it to make something the same yet very different.However, the film also falls into the trap of being unpleasant at times and being a bit too technical for its own good. Unlike Resurrection, this one doesn’t embrace the crazy and feels very restrained. While Danny Glover makes for a good hero, everyone else feels like their phoning it in. The predator itself, when the mask is off, does look a bit too silly. Also, instead of mimicking its prey like a hunter with a duck-call, this one just swears at people. It’s really stupid. Director Stephen Hopkins has this strange ability to create great action with amazing practical effects, while never engaging us. All his films become uninteresting, before quickly becoming just plain boring.

I’ve heard Predator 2 be described as a film for fans only. I think I can agree with that. What on paper sounds like a perfect sequel to the original just becomes a bit tedious. I’d almost give it a pass if the ending wasn’t so unwatchable. Again, there is some fun to be had and it’s at least technically competent. But it’s not the best.

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