Better than most critics say, no where near as good as a fan's expectations!!

Rating: 8/10 (21 January 2006)

Contrary to public opinion, I rather enjoyed AvP. Sure I believe it could have been better if it stuck closer to the book AvP:Prey, but it wasn't that bad.
I must admit having yet again a female as the all conquering hero and survivor is getting rather tedious. Don't get me wrong, I think Sanaa Lathan does a great and credible job of a person in her position and I love Ripley and especially the equality displayed in Aliens, it's just getting old hat.
I believe the history of four past Alien movies, two Predator movies, books, comics and the mouthwatering potential AvP stirred, it was hard for any movie to live up to that hype. Yet some of the action scenes in AvP is some of the greatest, liveliest, and most rewound and repeated scenes of ANY of the above bulk of the Alien and/or Predator franchise. I actually loved seeing the clash of these two titans, I loved how they re-established the way an alien is supposed to be; how perfectly ruthless, destructive and powerful they are. I thought it was terrific how they showed the trainee Predators on the hunt and their inexperience. And I believe the fights captured all this.
I was disappointed in Bishop's role. He did seem in it for the pay cheque and AvP never firmly and concretely stated the link of Bishop, his company (Weyland Industries) and the preceding four movies.
Overall I was happy to see the alien drone returned to its nasty and true H.R. Giger adaptation, and the Alien Queen is magnificent and accurately depicts her near unlimited power, strength and terror instilling awe. The predator whilst not Kevin Hall was fine for the most part. No other Alien/Predator franchise movie captures the raw power of these titans and in a brilliant manner than what AvP does... hence I fail to agree with other critics.
Yes I believe AvP could have been better. The script could have had more depth, the characters more involved and fleshed out. But overall AvP, while not as good as the first three Alien movies and the first Predator movie, is a very good and worthy addition to the franchise.