Hulu Action Sci-Fi Hit Brings Two Blockbuster Franchises Crashing Together
Both the Alien and Predator franchises are doing better than ever, but there was a time when both franchises were struggling, and there’s not a better encapsulation of this struggle than the ill-fated Alien vs. Predator. In theory, this is an extremely cool concept on par with the dumb WWE-style fun to be had with crossover films like Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. In execution, the movie ends up being a slog, though you can check it out on Hulu if you’re so inclined.
It Starts With An Arctic Expedition
Alien vs Predator follows a group of humans who receive funding from Charles Bishop Weyland (Lance Henriksen) for an expedition to Antarctica to investigate a mysterious source of heat. The team ends up discovering a mysterious pyramid which houses the fearsome aliens known as Xenomorphs. To make matters worse, Predators have arrived to hunt the aliens, and the team of humans find themselves caught in the middle.
Doesn’t Live Up To Its Hype
I wanted to like Alien vs Predator but the movie just falls way short of its potential. Predators are the most effective hunters in the universe and Xenomorphs are some of the most fearsome and terrifying organisms. You would think that top hunters fighting the most dangerous game would be exciting, but the movie just ends up being kind of dull with some okay action.
Cast’s Charisma Couldn’t Save The Plot
Alien vs Predator is directed and written by Paul W.S. Anderson, who is best known for the lackluster B-movie Resident Evil adaptations. The film stars Sanaa Lathan, Raoul Bova, Lance Henriksen, Ewen Bremner, Colin Salmon, and Tommy Flanagan, who do the best with the thin material they’re given, but there’s hardly any character for any of them to latch on to. And honestly, who really needed humans to be such a big part of this movie anyway?
Should Have Gone For The R-Rating
Alien vs Predator starts off on the wrong foot by being PG-13, taking away from the potential of these sci-fi icons really tearing into each other. Add bad lighting and a lackluster story to the mix, and you’re not left with too much to like. The creature design is still on point, but those designs were already established before this movie so AVP doesn’t get that credit either.
Hopes For A Stronger Crossover In The Future
It’s not hard to imagine that a good version of Alien vs Predator could have happened somewhere in the multiverse. Instead of having a huge human team, it would have been cool to see a solo protagonist like Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley or Amber Midthunder’s Naru caught up in the middle just trying to survive the two alien species battling it out. Perhaps with both franchises on the mend, we could see a better crossover movie in the future.
Stream Alien Vs Predator On Hulu
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The Alien franchise is returning to theaters this Alien: Romulus this month and the Predator franchise is already back on its feet thanks to Prey. If Romulus can find the same success, along with Noah Hawley’s upcoming Alien TV series, then maybe those creative teams can work together to bring us an awesome new Alien vs Predator film. Until then, you can check out the original for yourself on Hulu, though I can’t really recommend it.
