Review : Predator 2 (1990)

Via ign.com

The Predator is back. And this time it has made Los Angeles its home. As it attacks and kills the citizens a police officer takes it upon himself to end the menace once and for all. Will he succeed against the ultra strong and technologically ahead Predator???

The movie opens with a gun fight between drug lords in downtown LA. While it is well done there are some comic moments. Some intentional and others unintentional. And from then on its an action packed violent ride with no laughs towards the climax which is a feel good one. And unlike the first I didn't feel satisfied after watching it. But what the hell. The whole movie was a tense affair as people got slaughtered left right and centre. And the kill scenes were nice. It made you feel tense as you saw people become Predator's food. But didn't feel sorry for all of them though. Atleast I didn't.

Director Stephen Hopkins(Lost In Space, The Reaping, The Nightmare On Elm Street- The Dream Child) has directed this well. And to tell you its more scary than the 1st one. Not to say that its more enjoyable but more edge of the seat affair. Maybe cos John was an action director while Stephen is more from the horror school. So as a horror fan the atmosphere of dread was more than welcome. A tad less action but the scary scenes more than made up for it. He with writers Jim Thomas has done well to bring the Predator into a city where it would mean a bloodbath. As the drug lords fought on the Predator starts its own war. A real nice gory war at that. Maybe it isn't as good as the 1st but it comes very near. And that in itself is a big achievement. Great work!!

Via thehunterslair.com

And why it comes near the original can be attributed to some great acting. Not much acting in the 1st but this boasts of some great acting. Kevin Hall, Danny Glover, Gary Busey and Bill Paxton. Wow!! Especially Danny as the one man army against the Predator. He is no Arnold but LA is no jungle right? And Kevin Hall again becoming the Predator and excelling to a large extent. He looks damn scary in this one. And with lots of people around its a party. For him. And for us. The others have limited screen time but they support these two well and in the process create an awesome scary experience. So well done cast.


HighTension Verdict: Action, violence, scares. And great acting especially Danny Glover. And an awesome train sequence which ends in a bloodbath. So go cuddle up and watch this one. It will be 100 minutes well spent.....


Hightension Meter: 7.5/10

Best QUOTE: Reporter: As drought-ridden Los Angeles swelters in agonizing heat, drug lords wage bloody warfare in the streets. Yet another open conflict... Oh, fuck this, get me out of here!