Not as bad as some make out

Rating: 5/10 (30 January 2005)

OK, first off, no one is going to say AVP is worth an Oscar nod...for anything.
On the other hand, I actually found myself enjoying this movie. Sure, it could have used more gore. Sure, it could have used more suspense (ok, it could have used suspense, period.) On the other hand, can anyone honestly tell me that either franchise has been gory or suspenseful recently? Let's face it, Alien3 and Alien: Resurrection were about as scary as a birthday at McDonald's, and the Predator movies were more about action than suspense.
Hence, AVP is an action movie, not a horror movie. If you want a horror movie, see something else. If you want to see an interesting treatment on the Alien v. Predator theme, see this movie. (I recommend renting it, as owning the movie is not necessary.)
The Plot: Weyland Co. picks up a heat signature in Antarctica, and sends a team of scientists and security guards to check it out. They find a pyramid of unique design, complete with hierogylphs telling the pyramid's story. The team enters the pyramid, accidentally frees the Alien xenomorphs from stasis, and get themselves killed in the process.
That is, those who aren't killed by the Predators...
What I found most interesting about this movie is that it continues the treatment of the Predators we saw in Predator 2: a species of intergalactic, purposeful hunters who possess a code of honor. The Predators are given more dimension in this film, and the xenomorphs look better than they have in their past 2 incarnations.
My biggest problem with this movie was the "alternate beginning" "not seen in theaters" featured on the DVD. It gives nothing to the plot, and does not put any fear into the viewer either. It was left on the cutting-room floor for a good reason.