"We've got a new player in town." - Lieutenant Michael Harrigan.
The Predator is back. This time, Los Angeles 1997, in the midst of a drug war between rival Jamaican and Colombian gangs. Lieutenant Michael Harrigan (Danny Glover) soon finds that there is more to fear than the gangs, as the Predator starts hunting down members of the police force. Released in 1990, directed by Stephen Hopkins (known for A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child), the odds were stacked against this sequel to the popular 1987 original. With no Arnold Schwarzenegger or John McTiernan, Predator 2 wasn't well received upon its initial release. However, I think there are a number of ideas in Predator 2 that improve upon the first film, and think that after hearing people's reasons of not liking the film, it seems that the majority wanted it to echo the original more. Maybe this is why there was a more satisfactory feel to 2010's Predators, but I'll be looking at that film next time.
The first thing that stands out as a major difference from the first film is the setting. In the original, the human characters and the Predator were isolated in a South American jungle, which helped to build suspense as the commandos are trapped in an almost alien environment, with no other humans except for the rival Guerillas. This time, the Predator is let loose on the streets of Los Angeles, attacking subway trains and the headquarters of the drug gangs. With such a drastic change of environment, Predator 2 shows how the titular monster adapts to hunt in a different location, adding to its character of being an intelligent alien. This is further demonstrated in two sequences in the film, both of which building on an idea established in the original: the Predator having a code of honour. The two sequences in question are when the Predator chooses not to kill two characters. The first is a boy carrying a toy gun, who spots the Predator whilst playing. Upon scanning the toy, the Predator realises the boy is not a threat, and promptly ceases aiming its shoulder cannon at him. The other is when the Predator attacks Detective Leona Cantrell (Maria Conchita Alonso), but again refuses to kill after noticing she is pregnant. Adding to the previously established characteristics whilst also offering the audience something new with the change of location, Predator 2 makes the Predator a more fascinating creature than before. On top of that, there is more Predator screen-time than its predecessor, exactly what anyone should expect from a sequel.
Action wise Predator 2, for me, offers bigger and better set pieces. The final encounter between Harrigan and the Predator is the standout moment of the film, with the fight going from inside a slaughterhouse, to the roof, through an apartment building, and eventually facing off inside the Predator's ship. There's an added treat of seeing an Alien skull inside the ship, which would inspire the Alien vs. Predator franchise. This fight scene is not only larger in scale compared to the final fight in the original, there is also use of new Predator gadgets such as a spear, throwing disk, and different vision modes. Seeing all of these weapons used in the fight makes for a visual delight, and further stacks the odds against Harrigan. The previously mentioned subway scene is also a highlight, just due to the amount of chaos that ensues upon the Predator's arrival. In fact, its hard to think of a scene that isn't intense. Whether it's another Predator attack or Harrigan's short fuse, in particular when he confronts Special Agent Peter Keyes (Gary Busey) about the Predator. These sequences of Harrigan's no-nonsense attitude to police work and his pursuit of the Predator make for an entertaining lead, which helps as Danny Glover is of course less of a physical presence than Arnold Schwarzenegger. Overall, I'd say the choice of lead actor and the writing make for a fresh alternative, rather than simply rehashing ideas from the first film.
With all my positivity and listed reasons towards considering Predator 2 a worthy sequel, it still baffles me as to why people are so quick to dismiss it. I welcome an alternate approach to the sequel, as it means it will not be a clone of the first film. If I want was done in Predator, I'll watch Predator. I think Predator 2 is worth checking out, and it may grow on people who give it a second chance after being initially disappointed following on the original.
Pros:
+ More Predator screen time.
+ New location for the story, provides more potential for the Predator character.
+ Bigger and better action sequences.
+ Engaging lead character.
Cons:
- Only one scene (Harrigan visiting a friend's grave) that provides any break in the action for a sustained amount of time. Even then, the scene ends with Harrigan feeling intimidated. A few more subtle scenes would have given the later action sequences even more punch.
Action wise Predator 2, for me, offers bigger and better set pieces. The final encounter between Harrigan and the Predator is the standout moment of the film, with the fight going from inside a slaughterhouse, to the roof, through an apartment building, and eventually facing off inside the Predator's ship. There's an added treat of seeing an Alien skull inside the ship, which would inspire the Alien vs. Predator franchise. This fight scene is not only larger in scale compared to the final fight in the original, there is also use of new Predator gadgets such as a spear, throwing disk, and different vision modes. Seeing all of these weapons used in the fight makes for a visual delight, and further stacks the odds against Harrigan. The previously mentioned subway scene is also a highlight, just due to the amount of chaos that ensues upon the Predator's arrival. In fact, its hard to think of a scene that isn't intense. Whether it's another Predator attack or Harrigan's short fuse, in particular when he confronts Special Agent Peter Keyes (Gary Busey) about the Predator. These sequences of Harrigan's no-nonsense attitude to police work and his pursuit of the Predator make for an entertaining lead, which helps as Danny Glover is of course less of a physical presence than Arnold Schwarzenegger. Overall, I'd say the choice of lead actor and the writing make for a fresh alternative, rather than simply rehashing ideas from the first film.With all my positivity and listed reasons towards considering Predator 2 a worthy sequel, it still baffles me as to why people are so quick to dismiss it. I welcome an alternate approach to the sequel, as it means it will not be a clone of the first film. If I want was done in Predator, I'll watch Predator. I think Predator 2 is worth checking out, and it may grow on people who give it a second chance after being initially disappointed following on the original.
Pros:
+ More Predator screen time.
+ New location for the story, provides more potential for the Predator character.
+ Bigger and better action sequences.
+ Engaging lead character.
Cons:
- Only one scene (Harrigan visiting a friend's grave) that provides any break in the action for a sustained amount of time. Even then, the scene ends with Harrigan feeling intimidated. A few more subtle scenes would have given the later action sequences even more punch.
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