Mass of a Dead Franchise
- AVP: Alien vs. Predator (2004) should not have been a good movie. But, going against all forms of human reason, it kind of was - in a B-movie-charming way. Unfortunately its sequel, AVPR: Aliens vs. Predator - Requiem (2007), could not follow in its predecessor's footsteps. The plot for AVPR follows AVP directly: the predator/alien hybrid seen at the very end of AVP attacks the predator ship, causing it to crash-land in a small Coloradan town. Naturally, a predator heads to earth to try and wipe out the growing alien infestation that preys upon the multitude of innocent townspeople.
The story does not really matter in a film of this nature (the back of the DVD case promises "MORE BLOOD... MORE GUTS... MORE GORE") but nothing redeems this terrible movie. The dialogue is atrocious and the acting is even worse; even Steven Pasquale (of "Rescue Me") cannot escape the embarrassing effects of the pathetic script.
Directed by The Brothers Strauss, who have a background in visual effects production, AVPR is a gory action effects-driven film. Considering their claim to fame, one would have assumed that the film would have been visually spectacular - or at least clever. Unfortunately, AVPR is not even a fun bad movie. AVPR looks absolutely terrible with sub-par visual effects, poor cinematography (sometimes so dark and closed in that one cannot tell what is happening in a scene) and especially bad framing. The characters are extremely poorly written and not remotely likable - the best character moment of the film occurs when one reacts to her husband being killed by saying "I'll be fine." Well, in her defense, I guess she did say "until death do us part."
But by far the most unlikable aspect of the film is its graphically violent nature. Every other alien or predator film has been violent - but AVPR takes both series to new heights in shameful, pointless gorenography. Some scenes are just downright sickening.
Directed by The Brothers Strauss, who have a background in visual effects production, AVPR is a gory action effects-driven film. Considering their claim to fame, one would have assumed that the film would have been visually spectacular - or at least clever. Unfortunately, AVPR is not even a fun bad movie. AVPR looks absolutely terrible with sub-par visual effects, poor cinematography (sometimes so dark and closed in that one cannot tell what is happening in a scene) and especially bad framing. The characters are extremely poorly written and not remotely likable - the best character moment of the film occurs when one reacts to her husband being killed by saying "I'll be fine." Well, in her defense, I guess she did say "until death do us part."
But by far the most unlikable aspect of the film is its graphically violent nature. Every other alien or predator film has been violent - but AVPR takes both series to new heights in shameful, pointless gorenography. Some scenes are just downright sickening.
Although the original Alien vs. Predator works in some ways as an entertaining horror/action film, Aliens vs. Predator - Requiem is just a horrific movie. AVPR is so bad in fact that the Alien-meets-Predator franchise has virtually disappeared from entertainment culture following its release. It will not be missed.
CBC Rating: 3/10
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