re:mote voices

Title: Alien versus Predator

Cast: Sanaa Latahn, Raoul Bova, Lance Henrikson, Ewen Bremner, Colin Salmon

Director: Paul WS Anderson

Oh boy. Where did it all go wrong?

The comic company Dark Horse has made part of it’s reputation over the years from cinematic adaptations. Two of the more prominent titles in those early years were Alien and Predator. Having licensed these two in a successful manner, it only made sense in comic terms to come up with a cross-over. So all those years ago we had the original Alien versus Predator as a four issue series, which was soon reprised with a second four part series. In addition there were then spin off novels, which were based on these comic adaptations.

Which is to say that the idea of Alien/Predator is not a new one. Even in cinematic terms it has been one of the most rumoured and anticipated films in at least the last decade. So following on from 6 films, numerous comics, novels, and toys we have this film in 2004. Suggesting that there has been plenty of groundwork done over the years for this film to launch itself from.

Paul WS Anderson has made something of a name for himself in recent years with films like Resident Evil. While Resident Evil might not have any real sense of suspense or horror that were present in the computer games – he at least provided a big gloriously stupid action film – zombie movies for a post-matrix generation if you like. However with AVP there is a considerably greater tradition of cinematic design and tension – both areas where AVP falls down.

In some ways it is a surprise that AVP didn’t go for a 12 rating, like the last Terminator film (which has also been licensed by Dark Horse) – given the degree to which it pulls punches, flinching away from it’s own potential. Much of the films start revolves around building the story and the characters – however this is a little tedious, and has a negative impact on pacing. Once the story gets going it is punctuated by haphazard bursts of violence. There are vague attempts at creating tension, which fall flat on their face at every attempt.

Design wise the alien takes too long to get into character, before which it is too much about the actual violence rather than the alien nature. Parallel to which the predators look on the whole too clunky, and again are more likely to lash out than threaten. Classic scenes like chest busters are referred to a couple of times but never delivered – sure, competing with such an iconic moment is hard, but you certainly don’t do it by building it up only to pull away.

Throughout AVP there are maybe 3 scenes which live up to the potential of the material. With only one real parallel to the previous AVP material in the human characters.

The big problem with AVP is that it is pretty much guaranteed an audience, most fans of the past material will want to see it regardless of how often they are told it is a stinker. Because it is a stinker – dreadful dialogue, excruciating clichés, poor realisation – with the result that there were times I was squirming and others where I was close to tears of frustration.