Twenty years ago in 2004, the epic sci-fi clash we all wanted finally happened: Alien vs. Predator. However, upon its initial release, ‘Alien vs. Predator’ (AVP) received a mixed bag of reviews. Critics found it lacking in depth and dismissed it as overly campy. But, as time has passed, the tide has shifted. The very qualities that were once scorned – the over-the-top action, the silly humor, and the bombastic spectacle – are now embraced as enjoyable, even cherished. Furthermore, compared to the critical and commercial failures that plagued both the Alien and Predator franchises in recent years, AVP now stands as one of the better films from both series. So, whether you’re ready to hear it or not, I’m here to declare that ‘Alien vs. Predator’ isn’t as bad as you remember. In fact, it’s actually pretty damn enjoyable. Here’s why:
A Unique Setting for Epic Action Sequences
One of AVP’s greatest strengths lies in its truly unique and awesome setting. The team of explorers finds themselves trapped deep beneath the ice of a remote island, navigating a labyrinthine, ever-shifting temple. The rooms open and close, trapping the explorers in an impossible scenario. They must evade both Aliens and Predators, while desperately searching for an escape route to the surface. In many ways, AVP was structured like a classic horror film. A group enters a confined space – in this case, an underground arena – and then it becomes a brutal, last-man-standing battle. The temple’s ever-shifting layout provides countless hiding places for the Xenomorphs and Predators, allowing them to stalk, ambush, and launch surprise attacks. Confining the film to this single, immersive setting enhances its impact. We spend nearly the entire film within the temple, allowing us to fully explore its every corner and crevice, becoming truly immersed in its claustrophobic atmosphere.
Simple Plot, Maximum Impact
The confined setting of AVP also serves another purpose: it keeps the plot simple. Humans enter the temple, realize it’s actually a battleground designed for the ultimate clash, and find themselves trapped in a deadly game of survival. Sometimes, less is more. The central concept of being trapped in an underground death maze created by the Predators is compelling in its own right. AVP recognized this and resisted the urge to complicate the narrative. Compare this to more recent films like 2018’s ‘The Predator’, which involved convoluted military conspiracies, Predator-human hybrids, Predator-dog-alien hybrids, a Predator-killing suit, and even a misguided subplot involving autism. ‘The Predator’ was a mess of nonsensical ideas, like a collection of the worst Predator script ideas thrown together. For most films, adding more doesn’t necessarily mean adding better. When you only have an hour and a half to tell your story, introducing too many characters and subplots means that none of them get enough time to develop properly. AVP’s simple “survive the deathmatch” plot keeps the movie grounded, focused, and ensures that everyone’s motivations are clear. Similarly, 2022’s ‘Prey’ found success by embracing simplicity, returning to the classic cat-and-mouse chase that made the original ‘Predator’ so suspenseful and thrilling.
Standing the Test of Time
Sadly, ‘The Predator’ isn’t the only recent Alien and Predator movie that failed to impress. It’s just one of many. Compared to the vast majority of newer films in the series, AVP holds up remarkably well. First, consider AVP’s own sequel, 2007’s ‘AVP: Requiem’. I saw this movie in theaters and was so bored I couldn’t wait for it to end. It’s so bad I barely remember the plot. The only scenes that come to mind are a random sequence in a high school swimming pool and the fact that two-thirds of the movie was so dark it was nearly impossible to tell what was happening. Based on its abysmal 12% Rotten Tomatoes rating, it’s clear that I’m not alone in my dislike. Then there’s 2010’s ‘Predators’, which follows a group of humans who are dropped into an alien forest. The twist: It’s actually a Predator hunting ground, and they’re the prey. First, this is blatantly copying AVP’s core concept. Secondly, ‘Predators’ was an action movie that forgot the franchise’s suspenseful roots. Without the elements of suspense and horror, the Yautja become surprisingly dull antagonists, making ‘Predators’ a rather dull experience. Also deserving of a spot on the junk list is 2017’s ‘Alien: Covenant’. After 2012’s ‘Prometheus’ polarized critics and audiences with its departure from the traditional Alien storyline, everyone was promised a return to form with ‘Covenant’. Instead, we got a movie about black goo and more insufferable scenes featuring Michael Fassbender’s annoying android, David. Every single problem in ‘Covenant’ was directly caused by the human crew’s inexplicable stupidity. They make the wrong decisions at every turn. Their incompetence is so frustrating that you just want them to be killed off already. Oh, and we do finally see the classic Xenomorph again for a brief 15 minutes, but it’s rushed and sloppy, failing to be scary and feeling more like an insult to the franchise. I’m happy to see that ‘Covenant’s’ Rotten Tomatoes audience score has dropped to 55%. Just as time has proven that AVP isn’t so bad, it’s also given ‘Covenant’ the panning it so rightfully deserves. Compared to the slew of subpar films released over the past 20 years, AVP just keeps looking better and better.
A Strong Female Protagonist
Both Alien and Predator films occupy a unique space between genres. They’re sci-fi, but they also boast suspenseful elements, horror elements, and even action movie aspects. However, the best Alien and Predator films follow the horror format – the slasher format in particular – and they all give us a final girl (or guy). Think about it, the movies follow the slasher pattern almost perfectly. A group finds themselves lost in a hostile environment, stalked by a deadly predator, and they’re killed off one by one until only our hero remains. Alien gave us Ripley, Predator gave us Dutch, and Prey gave us Naru. AVP followed the same format, with the expedition crew dying off one by one until Alexa “Lex” Woods (Sanaa Lathan) remains as the lone survivor. After killing a Xenomorph, she proves herself as a warrior amongst the Predators, helping the last remaining Yautja escape the temple. You can classify the movies however you want, but it’s clear that the films perform best when they embrace the slasher format. When they try to be something else, it usually ends up ruining the experience. No one wants to see human-Predator DNA meddling, this isn’t Jurassic Park. And no one wants to see the Xenomorph’s backstory explored so fully that it becomes a movie about black goo. The mystery surrounding the Xenomorphs and the Predators is part of what makes them so terrifying.
Giving the Audience What it Wants
AVP, despite its flaws, seemed to understand this fundamental truth. People watch Alien and Predator movies to be scared by terrifying sci-fi monsters. And for AVP in particular, they want to watch the two titans of sci-fi duke it out. AVP follows the format that works, keeps its plot simple, and takes place in a fun and unique setting that keeps you hooked. Is AVP silly and plagued with a few plot holes? Yes. Its director, Paul W.S. Anderson, is known for his B movies, which are often lowbrow, derivative, and somewhat ridiculous. But is it also tons of fun and feels like a genuine part of the Alien and Predator universe? Absolutely. Ignore the old reviews and the bad reputation that ‘Alien vs. Predator’ has been unfairly given. It’s actually a really fun movie that you’ll enjoy, I promise. Stream ‘Alien vs. Predator’ on Hulu.
