Not Given Due Credit. Alien vs. Predator, Can't Get No Respect!

Rating: 7/10 (27 November 2004)

*****SPOILERS***
Many people have given bad reviews and opinions on Alien vs. Predator, but I want to start my review off by not giving a clear answer in mine. I want to look at this film for a moment without giving any personal opinion. I know this is a long review, but bear with me, I make an interesting point.
Alien vs. Predator has been a movie that hardcore fans have been thirsting for now about 13 years. The project in that time has undergone many writers and directors but for some oblivious reason, it has never been made. In that time, eager fans have gotten Comic Books, Novels, Video Games, and even Action Figures based on the meeting of these two iconic monsters. Just when it felt like a motion picture would never happen, the word was released that the Aliens would actually get their chance to fight the Predators sometime in 2004. This was an answered prayer to many people, including myself. But the joy was short lived as many fans later discovered the film's rating was a mere PG-13. However, I kept my anticipation high. After waiting half my life to get my hands on a movie ticket for this film, the day came on August 13th 2004. I have been watching the Alien and Predator films for as long as I can remember, and the expectations for the theatrical release of AVP were very high. I went to see it with a of group eager friends ready to be blown away. Every one in the audience cheered for their favorite, a definite split amongst the opening day crowd. Once the film ended, I was pleased with it and even stayed for the credits. But when I left the theater and did some thinking, I felt a little disappointed. I didn't dislike the movie, but it somehow felt a little empty to me. I saw it a second time, and was convinced that I was satisfied with it. A short while later, I started reading internet reviews on AVP, and discovered that many people disliked it. At first I was resistant to the negativity, but so many bad reviews kinda rubbed off on me. Still, I liked the movie, but I seem to be one of the few who does. Alien vs. Predator has gotten lame reviews and has been trashed by most fans. Only a small majority seem happy with it. Here's where I start to defend the movie and it's creators.
First off, the budget for this movie was pocket change compared to other films in it's genre. This led to more creativity in the making of the film. The story is okay, and nicely ties the two monsters' worlds together. The setting of the film is a lot of fun, but its very constrictive. The movie takes place in an underground pyramid, in Antarctica none the less. There is only so much you can do with a setting like that. The trouble is the fighting can't move from one extreme location to another like Freddy vs. Jason did. But I think the Director(Paul W.S. Anderson) and his crew did a nice job with the restricted setting. Actually, the pyramid is one of the cooler aspects of the movie. It physically shifts around every ten minutes to push the human prey through it. That makes for good screaming and death scenes later. AVP is filmed and lit well, but it's editing is a little too Hollywood for me.
The acting is actually pretty good for a movie like this. I am very delighted to say that Lance Henriksen, who was 'Bishop android' in Aliens and Alien 3, makes a return in AVP as a human Bishop. Lance is extremely underrated and I enjoy his acting a great deal. He was one of the greater characters in the film. Other than him, I am pleased to say that there are no big name stars in the film, this makes the Aliens and Predators the real stars. The musical score is really good and the tone of the whole thing is dark. The movie is dark and the music is dark. Without a doubt the special effects are terrific and they keep the movie from drowning. After all, the film does live up to it's title. You do get to see an Alien and Predator fight more than a few times. The Predators have new weapons and and new tricks up their sleeves. The Aliens are as horrifying as a ever and bring new scares and darkness to the screen. Both characters have great designs, old and new. It is evident here that a lot of love went into creating and filming the two monsters.
The action is great and a lot of fun but it is short-lived. The ending is wickedly amusing due to the Queen Alien's appearance and fight with the surviving Predator. The closing scene hints at a worthy sequel that I hope is a possibility. From beginning to end, the overall tone of the movie remains pretty faithful to the essence of the original films. Two of the movie's downfalls are its PG-13 rating and its hour and a half runtime. Alien vs. Predator has six predecessors with 2 + hours of runtime and R-ratings. But all that is forgivable. Unfortunately the movie sadly falls short with the lack of on-screen violence. The Alien and Predator movies are known for having lots of gore. Like Alien chest bursters ripping through human rib cages. Or Predators skinning and pulling spines out of helpless victims' backs. Good stuff like that, But AVP has none of that. You only get the hint of a death scene, then the camera simply cuts away. You don't get to see anyone die. In my eyes, that is what hurts the film the most. The movie does at times get a little cheesy, but it never ever gets to the point of 'Horrible' that people accuse of it. However I do understand the disappointment that some fans have over the film.
I think this movie was misunderstood from the beginning and although it is not as deep or scary a movie as Alien, Aliens, or Predator, it is still worth watching. For all the people that didn't care for it, I strongly suggest watching it a second time around. This movie is better than it is given credit for. The Aliens fight the Predators, blood is shed, Aliens die, and Predators die. What more do you want from a title like AVP: Alien vs. Predator? Overall AVP is a decent movie and it is a fun addition to the Alien and Predator series.