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In this edition of The silver liningwe will cover Shane Blackthe underrated 2018 sequel/reboot, The predator.

the Predator The franchise has always walked the line between action and horror, with most movies structured as sci-fi slashers where the victims are just tough enough to stand a fighting chance. It’s obviously a delicate balance, and I don’t think any of the sequels have quite managed to replicate the legendary thrills of John McTiernanis the original from 1987.

That being said, some entries have come close, and I’d go so far as to say there aren’t really any bad Predator movie. Unfortunately, not everyone thinks that way, and that’s why I’d like to talk about Shane Black. The predatora controversial sequel that deserves attention despite its bad reputation.

Originally announced in 2017, The predator became a highly anticipated blockbuster when it was revealed that Shane Black (who played Rick Hawkins in the original film while also serving as a backup writer) would return to both co-write and direct a high-concept sequel. Fans were even more ecstatic when it was confirmed that the movie earned a hard R from the MPAA, essentially guaranteeing a gory, fun adventure helmed by someone who helped launch the franchise.

When the trailer dropped, it looked like the hunt was finally on for Predator fans who have been waiting for a good adult action movie.

SO WHAT WRONG?

Earning just $160 million at the box office while barely scoring 33% on Rotten Tomatoes, The predator didn’t actually lose any money, but it was definitely a critical flop. While the film found an audience in international theaters, most viewers seemed to dismiss it as a messy cash grab with a bloated budget and a barely cohesive storyline. The film also generated some controversy due to its misrepresentations of autism, not to mention the hiring (and subsequent firing) of a convicted sex offender.

Longtime fans of the series seemed to be divided by the tone of the film, which was surprisingly light and comedic despite the harsh R rating. This may be partly explained by Black’s signature humor, but it was later confirmed that The predator was intentionally shot in such a way as to make it easier to create child-friendly cuts for foreign audiences. This resulted in many easily removable digital blood splatters and plenty of stuffing jokes.

Critics also pointed out that the suburban setting was a poor substitute for the dense jungles (both concrete and otherwise) of previous films in the series, and the same goes for the main cast of military misfits. The actors themselves were great, but this ragtag group of outcasts wasn’t exactly what fans of the show expected.

These strange creative decisions have only been exacerbated by the over-expansion of Predator lore, as the film has yet another super predator with a ridiculous backstory and action sequences more reminiscent of super super movies. CGI-heavy heroes that John McTiernan’s old-school movie thrills. . It also leads to some sci-fi excesses like the previously mentioned autism fiasco and an unexpected twist on global warming.

Of course, one of the biggest issues was how the movie was clearly shot in hell, with changing release dates, bizarre editing, and ADR indicating that this absurd story was put together in post-production. Judging by the behind-the-scenes photos and interviews, it looks like the final act was completely reworked before its release, perhaps against the director’s wishes. While some claimed this was because the original cut of the film was literally too dark, Shane Black recorded another story. The director claims that these reshoots were actually the result of backlash from test audiences after a focus group watched a rough working copy with incomplete visual effects.

THE SILVER LINING

It’s often said that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, and I guess that’s why all the things people seem to hate The predator are precisely what I like about it. It may not hold up Arnold SchwarzeneggerThe original encounter with an intergalactic hunter, but Black’s sequel has a lot of fun flipping modern blockbusters.

In some ways, Black’s film is more of a satire of modern action movies than a true Predator continued. Knowing that the studio wouldn’t want to back a grounded horror/action hybrid like the original, the director decided to have a little fun with this big-budget monster flick, and I think the film’s irreverent approach is much more interesting than simply rehashing what came before.

In fact, the movie almost feels like a live-action version of one of those silly 80s cartoons that tried to turn R-rated properties into child-friendly toy commercials, and I say that as a compliment. Hell, the movie even features a friendly Predator dog and an eco-friendly message behind the action. If that doesn’t scream 80s cartoons, I don’t know what does.

I also really appreciate the creative casting here, with Black choosing to subvert the franchise’s established macho expectations by casting our protagonists as victims of war instead of cold-blooded killers. Getting the audience to care about the victims in a creature feature is incredibly difficult, and I would say The predator does a great job of getting you to root for humans. Boyd Holbrook is quite compelling as a protagonist, with Olivia Munn and Key Keegan-Michael stand out as memorable characters. Corn Thomas Jeanne is certainly the most entertaining as Baxley, a Navy veteran with Tourette’s Syndrome. It’s a cool personal touch from the director, as Black actually suffers from this disease in real life.

Despite the messy storytelling and questionable additions to the lore, Shane Black The predator remains a highly entertaining entry in the franchise and isn’t afraid to poke fun at itself when things get out of hand. Although I’m certainly excited about Dan Trachtenberg Preywhich promises to take the mandible hunter back to its origins in a full fledged thriller, I still think The predator worth revisiting as a weird B-movie that’s as fun as it is ridiculous.

Watching a bad movie doesn’t have to be a bad experience. Even the worst movies can boast a good idea or two, and that’s why we try to look on the bright side with The silver liningwhere we spotlight the best parts of traditionally maligned horror movies.