A good idea - but comic books did it better

Rating: 6/10 (12 February 2020)

Scientists discover a structure under an Antarctic island and investigate. They find suggestions of Alien life form which seems to be blooming since the structure was opened to explore. Little do they know they have stumbled into a hunting ground for other coming-of-age aliens (well... Predators), who are there to get some skulls for trophies. Unwittingly the humans are caught in the middle of an Alien vs Predator conflict.
The look and feel of the film is great. The action is great. The combination of Aliens and Predators works well and follows the source material pretty good. All in all so far, tick. The main issue I had with it was the stupidity of the humans and the average script the actors were working from. It seemed too cliché in places and almost cheesy. Saying that though, I didn't dislike the film for that, I actually enjoyed it. It could have had more blood, guts and horror in it - but audiences have changed and the rating system this film tried to achieve meant it had to be less gory that previous Alien or Predator films. I actually played the titular console game of this and it was hell of a lot more scary than this film. I think there were some opportunities in the film to make it better but they were missed and this also affects the pacing slightly - it takes a while to get to the action and then when we follow the humans it can be a little stop/start.
One of the issues with this film I have found is the divided fan base. Fans of Alien films want this to be another Alien film. Likewise fans of the Predator films, want this to be another Predator film. Truth be told, it's neither and both at the same time. Watch this as a new film and it's a good action romp. Watch this with expectations of it being an out-and-out Alien or Predator film and you won't enjoy it.
I give this 6 out of 10. Good, but not outstanding.