Deep beneath the ice in Antarctica, a mysterious pyramid is discovered. A team of researchers sets out to investigate—what is a pyramid doing under the Antarctic ice? To their horror, they find themselves caught in a deadly war between two alien species.
Original ideas seem to be a thing of the past in Hollywood, replaced by remakes and hybrid concepts. Rumours about this film have circulated since 1990, when an Alien skull was briefly seen in Predator 2.
The first script, written by Peter Briggs, appeared in 1991 but was shelved when Joe Roth left 20th Century Fox. In the years since, video games, comics, and toys kept the concept alive. Fourteen years after that first hint, Alien vs. Predator finally arrived—but sadly, it fails to live up to expectations. Unlike the R-rated entries in the Alien and Predator franchises, this film received a PG-13 rating in the U.S. Despite a few intense scenes, it’s a CGI-heavy spectacle that lacks the gritty charm of the originals. It looks slick, but feels synthetic.
The film is packed with nods to the classics, which fans will appreciate. However, director Paul W.S. Anderson’s reimagining of the Predator character is baffling—he no longer feels like the same fearsome hunter. Though Anderson includes plenty of references, many fans will see this as a betrayal of what Predator once was. Horror also takes a backseat to action, and the structure and atmosphere resemble Anderson’s Resident Evil (2002). Amusingly (if somewhat absurdly), the subplot borrows from the ancient alien theories of Erich von Däniken.
Alien vs. Predator has many flaws—predictable plot, logical gaps, clichés, and weak acting. Still, it’s fast-paced and never boring, provided you’re open to turning your brain off and just enjoying the ride. For some, it’s entertaining sci-fi action; for others, it’s sacrilege. The messy storytelling can’t be overlooked, and while Lance Henriksen’s return to the Alien universe is a fun touch, it’s puzzling why his character Weyland resembles an older version of the androids from the first two films.
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