On the same level with the originals *minor spoilers*

Rating: 8/10 (14 August 2004)

I went into this movie not expecting too much. I had purposely stayed away from most of the spoilers and previews. All I saw going into the movie were the latest commercials for this crossover movie. The setup is basic. Humans detect ancient pyramids in Antarctica and want to investigate. Surprise surprise the pyramids are from a time when the Predators used to be worshiped as gods. This particular pyramid was used as a kind of training ground for young predator wannabes. So you've got Aliens down below, Predators up above, and Humans getting caught in between. Set up complete, now on with the movie.
The first third of the movie is purely for set up purposes and survives purely by the classic effect that horror movies have of setting you up for scary parts and making you jump out of your seat. What I like about this movie is that the first third there is nothing to jump at and basically pokes fun that you are so ready for an Alien or Predator to jump out that it's downright hilarious after the fact.
When the Predators and Aliens start showing up the somewhat weak, but serviceable, setup and dialogue takes a back seat. I was just telling my friend last week that I was disappointed that not many modern day movies survive or thrive with little to no dialogue. Well this movie does a good job of that in the last 2 thirds. There is very little dialogue especially after the star woman is the last survivor and meets up with last surviving Predator. The result should be well received I hope.
Are there plot holes or inconsistencies? Yes, there are. One of funniest I thought was near the end when the Predators left star woman without a jacket and she didn't even have PN (perky nipples). Heck! It's the South Pole and I never noticed that their breath was showing up.
If you can put that aside, then I think what we have here is a movie that is at least on the same playing field as the original movies, Predator and Alien. Now I hope everybody goes to see this crossover so that we can look forward to a sequel which I hope fills us in on some of the teasers they left for us.
I gave this 8 out of 10.