GRUDGEMATCH: Rambo vs. Predator

Rambo Vs. Predator: Who will win?

With all the Predator hype surrounding the new Predators movie, I got thinking about our favorite jungle hunter. It wasn’t too long before I was having fond memories of the Rambo franchise, and began fantasizing about a showdown between the two characters.

Rambo and Predator. Both are skilled hunters and combatants. Both use the terrain to disappear and wait for the perfect moment to strike. And most importantly, both are capable of dispatching entire units of heavily armed soldiers. But if it came down to a showdown between the two, who has the winning edge? Combat vet or alien from outer space?

Rambo:

-Green Beret and Vietnam War Veteran.
-Skilled in survival, hand to hand combat, and guerrilla warfare.
-Trained to live off the land, feel no pain, and never surrender
-Suffers post-traumatic stress disorder from being a POW in Vietnam.
-Able to make lethal booby traps from natural terrain.
-What you call hell, he calls home.

Arsenal:
-Compact bow with explosive tips
-The knife
– 75% chance Rambo will find some sort of mounted heavy machine gun and carry it with one arm

Favorite move:
Giving a stirring one-liner and then firing a machine gun in all directions while yelling “AAAAAAAARRRGGGHHHH!”

Predator:

-Alien who dedicates his life to the hunt.
-Possesses strength and fortitude far beyond human level.
-Proficient in hunting humans and other species, studying its prey for up to several days before killing.
-Has never lived survived a movie and was once defeated by Danny Glover. (Hey, lets be honest).

Arsenal:
-Active Camouflage which makes him essentially invisible, but short circuits in water
-Thermal imaging eyesight
-A shoulder mounted energy weapon (Plasma Caster)
-Telescopic Spear
-Various laser nets, shuriken, and a boomerang like razor-disc
-Wrist blades
-Self destruct device (used as a last resort).

Favorite move: Removing his face mask, roaring, finishing his prey’s sentence with an electronic translator, and then ripping the skull and spinal column right from their body.

Let the battle begin!

Predators (2010)

Predators (2010) – Review by Isaac

“This planet is a game preserve, and we’re the game.”

Synopsis: A ragtag group of Earth’s elite warriors awaken in a strange jungle, abducted to be the prey of a merciless alien race known as the Predators.

The Predator alien has had a rocky ride since his explosive debut alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1987. Predator 2 followed in 1990, adding further depth and mystery to the creature. Tragedy struck in 2004 and 2007, and the Alien Vs. Predator franchise threatened to sink our favorite hunter forever. …and then came Predators.

Predators is not a reboot of the franchise, but sequels the original two Predator films (sorry fans, Danny Glover is still part of the canon). Returning to its roots, Predators features a jungle setting, a tough group of characters with a full arsenal, and of course, a hunt. The title “Predators” fulfills a double meaning; the alien hunters, and the violent humans who have been “predators” in their own world. In fact, its the human “predators” who carry the film.

“We were chosen.”

I was very impressed by the casting here. From the Yakuza to the Spetsnaz, each character is believable and iconic. The notable leader of the bunch, Adrien Brody, is fantastic as the tough, no nonsense mercenary. I was very surprised that this thin and serious actor was chosen to follow in the footsteps of Schwarzenegger, and it had the internet asking “Where’s the Beef?”

Adrien Brody and Topher Grace did a terrific job. But this poster was just too good to pass up.

Thankfully, Adrien Brody steps up to the challenge and delivers an ending even Arnie will be proud of. Alice Braga and Topher Grace also make memorable performances and are a welcome addition to the cast. Robert Rodriguez took a lot of flak for his casting choices, but the end result was excellent.

“Similar, like the difference between wolves and dogs.”

As Aliens opened up a world of possibilities with the Alien Queen in the Alien franchise, so Predators gives us a new take on the Predator. Apparently, there are two separate races or “clans” of the Predator species, the “Classic” Predator and the “Black Super Predator“. They are similar yet different like “the difference between wolves and dogs” (see photo above) and the bigger clan hunts the smaller. These Super Predators (which I think is the dumbest name ever, mind you. At least that name wasn’t spoken in the movie.) are bigger, stronger, faster, and seemingly more intelligent than the “classic” Predator we’re accustomed to. We’re treated to the Super Predators tactics, with land mines, bait and trap, and some really freaky alien hounds. This obviously opens a whole can of possibilities: Tougher Predator foes on Earth, warring Predator clans, the option for new (and good) Alien Vs. Predator films… Fans of the “classic” Predator may find themselves mourning his “dethroning”, but I’m excited about the new possibilities. (As long as they come up with a better name than “Black Super Predators”. Ugh.)

In summary, this movie is pretty good. I’d even call it great. But its not awesome. The plot is pretty simple, and the pacing plods along a little too slowly for how much the trailers revealed. I wish I’d never seen the trailer and just walked into this movie with zero knowledge whatsoever. The trailer established anticipation for dozens of Predators and a mysterious survivor (played by Laurence Fishburne). Fishburne’s role ends up being pretty small, almost underused in my opinion. I won’t spoil anything, but don’t go into this movie expecting 15 Predators (as the trailer depicts) because most of the time there’s only three. Which is fine, but I hate it when trailers promise things the film won’t deliver.

This one right here? Lies. There's only one targeting laser in the actual movie.

Rating: 3.5/5 Zipped Lips

Every bit as good as the original, Predators takes things to the next level. With fantastic casting, chilling pacing, and an ending Arnie himself could be proud of, this is a true sequel to the Predator franchise. I strongly recommend it to fans of the action/sci-fi/horror genre, but don’t get your hopes too high. Because after all, it’s only a Predator movie.

Predators Trailer

Predators is set for a July 9th, 2010 release date.

As a fan of the old-school Predator movies, I’m excited for this.  I’ve seen enough AVP crap.  It’s time for the real deal;  a scary action flick featuring Predators vs. humans in an intense jungle setting.  This new film has been falsely labeled a “reboot” for the Predator monster, probably because of the tagline “Fear is Reborn.”  However, Predators promises to follow up on the 1987 Predator the way Aliens took the original Alien and kicked it up a few notches.