Predators

Rating:**

ARNOLD Schwarzenegger fought them aliens off in a Central American jungle. Presumably there are very few such virgin territories left on Earth. So this version of Predators involves a group of highly trained Earthlings – a varied assortment of a mercenary,a trained markswoman,a killer,a “freak”,a warlord… you get the drift – picked off the planet and dropped off on a nearby planet to serve as game for some aliens.

These aliens have a cloaking technology that makes them largely invisible,while they themselves can see infra-red and detect body heat. This means the Earthlings have very little chance of survival. The hounds that they use for “hunting” the men and the lone woman are a cross between a dinosaur and wolf,just another of the weapons at their disposal.

Much as that may be the case,you never are in doubt about who will survive. Only how many. Worse,the one interesting surprise who props up,Fishburne – who has managed to evade the aliens for “10 seasons” now and talks to an imaginary friend – is a half-baked idea with a quick burnout.

The film does manage to spring one surprise though towards the end,apart from Brody packing a punch as well as sporting a knockout six-pack. But only the most die-hard fans of Hollywood’s enamour for giant aliens with fangs,claws and machines,not to forget fluoroscent green blood,will last that long. Even Schwarzenegger reportedly refused a cameo appearance.