“The Predator” (2018, directed by Shane Black) is a reboot/sequel in the long-running Predator franchise that attempts to reinvigorate the iconic sci-fi horror series with a blend of action, humor, and expanded mythology. While it delivers on high-octane action and some of the franchise’s signature brutal alien hunting sequences, the film’s uneven tone and convoluted plot left both critics and fans divided.

Plot Overview:

The film begins with a Predator spaceship crash-landing on Earth, where U.S. Army sniper Quinn McKenna (Boyd Holbrook) encounters the alien. After surviving the Predator’s attack, McKenna mails some of the alien technology to his estranged son Rory (Jacob Tremblay), inadvertently drawing the attention of both the government and the Predators themselves. McKenna is soon captured by a secret government agency, led by the ruthless Traeger (Sterling K. Brown), that is studying the Predators and their potential as weapons.

Meanwhile, it is revealed that the Predators are evolving, enhancing their species with the DNA of other creatures, including humans. As a larger, genetically modified Predator arrives on Earth to hunt both humans and a rogue Predator, McKenna teams up with a group of ex-soldiers and a scientist named Dr. Casey Bracket (Olivia Munn) to stop the deadly alien invasion. Along the way, they discover that the Predators might have a more sinister plan involving human DNA and Earth’s future.

What Works:

• Action and Gore: The Predator delivers on its promise of bloody, adrenaline-fueled action. Fans of the franchise will find plenty of intense and gory sequences as the Predators hunt their human prey with brutal efficiency. The practical effects, combined with modern CGI, make for some visually impressive moments, particularly in the Predator-on-Predator fight scenes.
• Shane Black’s Humor: As a director known for his witty, fast-paced dialogue, Black injects a fair amount of humor into the film, particularly through the dynamic between McKenna and his group of ex-soldier misfits (played by actors like Trevante Rhodes, Keegan-Michael Key, and Thomas Jane). While the jokes don’t always land, the banter adds levity to the intense action scenes.
• Expanded Predator Mythology: The film introduces new concepts regarding the Predator species, including their use of genetic modifications and the idea that they are evolving with each hunt. It hints at a broader mythology and a potential larger conflict between the Predators and humanity, although these ideas are not fully explored.

What Could Be Better:

• Convoluted Plot: One of the main criticisms of The Predator is its overly complex and messy narrative. The film juggles multiple storylines, including McKenna’s family drama, government conspiracies, alien technology, and the Predators’ evolving biology. The constant shifts between humor, action, and exposition make the story feel disjointed, and many of the plot points are left underdeveloped or confusing.
• Inconsistent Tone: The film struggles to balance its sci-fi horror roots with Shane Black’s signature humor. At times, the jokes undercut the tension and seriousness of the Predator threat, resulting in tonal whiplash. While the humor works in certain scenes, it feels out of place in others, diminishing the overall sense of danger.
• Underdeveloped Characters: Despite a strong cast, many of the characters feel underwritten or underutilized. McKenna’s backstory as a soldier and estranged father is introduced but not fully fleshed out. The group of ex-soldiers, though entertaining, are largely defined by their quirks rather than deep character development. Additionally, Dr. Casey Bracket’s role in the story feels rushed, and her transition from scientist to action hero lacks credibility.
• Unnecessary Subplots: The film introduces several subplots, such as Rory’s autism being presented as an evolutionary advantage and the government’s shady dealings with alien technology. However, these ideas are not explored in a meaningful way, and their inclusion feels more like filler than essential to the core narrative.

Conclusion:

The Predator is a mixed bag of entertaining action sequences and underwhelming narrative choices. While it offers enough blood, explosions, and Predator-versus-human battles to satisfy action fans, the film’s uneven tone, cluttered plot, and underdeveloped characters prevent it from reaching the heights of the original Predator (1987). Shane Black’s attempt to infuse humor into the franchise yields mixed results, as the film struggles to find a cohesive identity between its sci-fi horror roots and its lighter moments.

For longtime fans of the series, The Predator provides some fun callbacks to the original films and expands the lore of the Predator species, but it ultimately falls short of delivering a fully satisfying experience. While not a complete misfire, The Predator is a middling entry in the franchise that doesn’t quite live up to the legacy of its predecessors.