Predator 2 (1990) ***1/2
While not the classic that Predator (1987) turned out to be, Predator 2 (1990) is a worthy follow-up and a thoroughly enjoyable action/sci-fi flick.
Danny Glover was a bit of an odd choice to square off against the "silent, invisible, invincible, ultimate hunter" but somehow he makes it work in a cast filled with intense/over the top male actors—Gary Busey, Bill Paxton, Robert Davi, and Morton Downey Jr. among them. There's definitely an additional level of comedy added that wasn't present in the first film, but it's also a gorier affair, at times dipping deeper into horror movie territory than its predecessor (or Predacessor? Sorry.) did. Stan Winston's alien creation gets some nice updates in costume and upgrades in weaponry that are put to great use.
Stephen Hopkins was a solid choice to direct Predator 2. While A Nightmare On Elm Street 5: The Dream Child (review), which he directed the previous year, is when that series starred to decline, I can't deny that he is capable of making a really good, tense action picture, as evidenced again three years later when he made Judgment Night (review).
Danny Glover was a bit of an odd choice to square off against the "silent, invisible, invincible, ultimate hunter" but somehow he makes it work in a cast filled with intense/over the top male actors—Gary Busey, Bill Paxton, Robert Davi, and Morton Downey Jr. among them. There's definitely an additional level of comedy added that wasn't present in the first film, but it's also a gorier affair, at times dipping deeper into horror movie territory than its predecessor (or Predacessor? Sorry.) did. Stan Winston's alien creation gets some nice updates in costume and upgrades in weaponry that are put to great use.
Stephen Hopkins was a solid choice to direct Predator 2. While A Nightmare On Elm Street 5: The Dream Child (review), which he directed the previous year, is when that series starred to decline, I can't deny that he is capable of making a really good, tense action picture, as evidenced again three years later when he made Judgment Night (review).
While there are certainly broad stereotypes made about the race of plenty of characters, it's still a diverse cast and when viewed through the lens of the time period and as a piece of entertainment, I think Predator 2 is a lot of fun and holds up well almost 29 years since its release.
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