WARNING: A FEW SPOILERS
Robert Rodriguez handles producing duties for a revamp of the Predator film series with this 20th Century Fox/Troublemaker Studios production focusing on a human survival adventure set on the Predators' home planet. Nimrod Antal ('Vacancy') takes on a script by Michael Finch and Alex Litvak. Adrien Brody heading up an international cast filled out by Danny_Trejo, Alice_Braga, Topher Grace, Laurence Fishburne, Mahershalalhashbaz Ali, and Louiz Ozawa star as the deadly abductions.
At first thought, I don't think Nimrod Antal, with his unfortunate name and bad previous film assignments, was suitable. I then remember Robert Rodriguez was babying this because it was his pet project for a long while. In 1994, Robert wrote an early script on a third Predator for Twentieth Century Fox while working on "Desperado." The script was denied because they thought the budget would be too large. Surprisingly, this is not in 3D, though Rodriguez was a bit ahead of the trend, and the budget was not too huge.
The performances of Laurence Fishburne, Adrien Brody, Danny Trejo, and Walton Goggins stuck out the most. Some closer acting abilities would be disgraced by physical comic relief from Topher Grace, and bad ass chick Alice Braga, emulating Sigourney Weaver. Almost every bit of dialogue between characters is impressive. A good example is Alice Braga saying:
"I've never seen this jungle. And I've seen most."
The facial expressions and dialogue are believable as would be for any average people stranded. They aren't gimmicky or tired. These are people who are scared, but still, of course deadly to each other and the Predators. The Predators are spot-on despite their differences from previous films. The special effects used for the hunters are reminiscent of the original effects by Stan Winston which made me happy. They are practical but nod to the fans.
The jungle planet setting is similar to the 1987 original, including logs flying on ropes! Alic Braga even mentions a task force going into a jungle in 1987. The movie features a classic Predator, space ships, and new races, none of these additions or homages feels forced or cheap. The movie does not have a third act, but is rather two, leaving great potential for sequels.
The story is a new take with great fight scenes, acting chops, and is not going to join your two dollar bin with "AVP" and "Predator 2" any time soon. I give 'Predators' a B+