Action & Adventure > Hopkins, Stephen Action & Adventure

Great film

Advantages: all of it!
Disadvantages: not much

...in total). The first Predator movie is an action classic, with it's then pioneering in-your-face, first-person action sequences, setting a standard for action movies of the late 80's. This is also one of Arnie's best movies after the Terminator films(bar number 3), with some great "dialogue" between Arnie's character Dutch and Dillon, played by Carl Weathers - not forgetting Arnie's one-liners like "knock, knock" and "stick around". The DVD itself ...
...scenes and outtakes. Now, Predator 2 is not really a sequal, but a different story invloving the Predator, set in Los Angeles in the then future 1997. The film stands up on its own as a solid action movie, with a great performance from Danny Glover in the lead. It has that infamous scene with the "Alien" skull in the trophy room of the Predator ship, which spawned the Alien Vs Predator comics, and ofcourse the inevitable movie. Again the DVD is ...

umbrellaface991 04.05.2007 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Predator / Predator 2 (Special Edition Box Set) (DVD)

Weaker Predator sequel

Advantages: Action and adventure
Disadvantages: Weaker story

...Predator. It was called simply, Predator 2. Predator 2 is set in Los Angeles and follows Lieutenant Mike Harrigan (Danny Glover) who is involved in a battle to bring the drug lords to justice. However when these criminals are being slaughtered, along with fellow police officers, Harrigan is told to stay out of it, but he is shocked when his investigations reveal, that a powerful extraterrestrial being is responsible. He discovers the Predator (Kevin ...
...prove difficult to defeat the Predator as it can turn invisible and blend into the background. This is a decent film with a good story, but it definitely is not as good as the first film. I think that Danny Glover does well in the lead role, but I felt that the script was a bit weak and lacking in quality. The supporting cast includes Gary Busey, Bill Paxton, Ruben Blades and Robert Davi. The special effects and action scenes are impressive but are ...

mozzie76 25.11.2009 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Predator 2 (DVD)

'He's in town, with a few days to kill'

Advantages: Gives the fans what the want
Disadvantages: Not as original or as inspired as the first

I watched the first Predator film shortly after it was released thinking it was simply an Arnie action-vehicle. Some cynics might say this is a fair description of the film, however I see it as something more. The film placed a group of marines (friends to be honest) in an isolated environment and had them hunted and stalked, killed off one by one. This idea has been done many times but this was different as the enemy was a good mix of being more ...
...are trying to hunt the predator there is also a top secret military unit (isn't there always) as well as a gang war going on between stereotypical Columbian and Jamacian henchmen. Basically lots of cannon fodder. One of my favourite aspects for the film is that it adds alot to the Predator legend. He is given alot more screen time than the first but we also learn a little more about them, like their weaponry, their origins and more on their honour ...

pdoyle007 14.10.2005 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Predator 2 (Special Edition) (DVD)

predator/predator2. my opinion

Advantages: great if you like lots of fighting and aliens, of course there is only one
Disadvantages: Not good if you don't like gore and being made to jump a bit

There is plenty of gore, lots of flesh ripped off hung up bodies! Arnie, of course, makes the first film that much better. The alien has plenty of weapons and defences, including the ability to become almost invisible. We also find out why he is here. The first film starts with a bunch of soldiers in the jungle on a rescue mission ,they think they will only fight humans, wrong! Also they have been lied too. (government coverup?) They also think ...
...the predator. Watch out for the pretty good effect of an invisible alien rushing through the forest. Loads of killing later, Arnie turns in to a hero of extreme proportions, of course, but the effects are good and a fairly good take on the bad alien comes to earth theme. The plot thickens in the next movie.The alien turns up in a modern American city. Don't miss the alien barging his way through astounded peoples apartments when he has to make ...

gothmum 02.06.2007 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of Predator/Predator 2 (Box Set) (DVD)

It Blew Me Away

Advantages: Uses the story rather than special effects
Disadvantages: poor DVD extras

...the characters and performances in Blown Away are very good and really help to make this drama very appealing. Look out for a brief appearance by Cuba Gooding Jr. as a pupil at bomb school. Blown Away is directed by Stephen Hopkins, who prior to this directed Predator 2 but more recently has directed episodes of the hit series "24". Part of the beauty of this film is that Hopkins has not attempted to create an all out 100 mph, action packed, special ...
...is an unfair comparison, as Blown Away has a much better plot and more believable characters, where as Speed was all about young stars and special effects. If you like your action movies to have a decent plot and good characters the you will definitely enjoy this one. The DVD is currently £5.97 on Amazon which is a reasonable price for the film even without and DVD extras. ...

christianfilmcritic 03.02.2006 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Blown Away (DVD)