Alien vs. Predator or AVP reviews?
08-17-04 | 12:02 PM
#326
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Originally posted by shill66
Under 90 minutes? Are you saying you left early?
Under 90 minutes? Are you saying you left early?
) but the runtime seems to be 1 hr 27 min. http://movies.yahoo.com/shop?d=hv&cf...496111&intl=us
08-17-04 | 12:58 PM
#327
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From: WAS looking for My Own Private Stuckeyville, but stuck in Liberty City (while missing Vice City)
Originally posted by Shannon Nutt
The running time of the movie is one hour, 27 minutes...or 87 minutes. I've seen some newspaper reviews say it was 100 or even 110 minutes, which makes me wonder if they saw a different version...but the one currently in theaters is 87 minutes.
The running time of the movie is one hour, 27 minutes...or 87 minutes. I've seen some newspaper reviews say it was 100 or even 110 minutes, which makes me wonder if they saw a different version...but the one currently in theaters is 87 minutes.
08-17-04 | 02:54 PM
#328
I saw this with my movie cash from the Predator SE DVD. Thankfully I didn't have to fork out cash for this.
1.5 stars out of 4 cuz of the special effects. Movie was funny at times. I mean they put Spud from Trainspotting in it.
1.5 stars out of 4 cuz of the special effects. Movie was funny at times. I mean they put Spud from Trainspotting in it.
Spoiler:
08-17-04 | 05:40 PM
#329
DVD Talk Legend
Originally posted by Suprmallet
My question is why did the aliens attack the predator in the first place? Wouldn't they sense the embryo inside of him and not attack? There's a precedent for that in Alien3, or does that only apply to queen embryos?
My question is why did the aliens attack the predator in the first place? Wouldn't they sense the embryo inside of him and not attack? There's a precedent for that in Alien3, or does that only apply to queen embryos?
Which would also probably point to the idea that the predalien chestburster wasn't a queen.
08-17-04 | 05:54 PM
#330
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From: Gateway Cities/Harbor Region
Originally posted by RocShemp
As for the humans dying off unintirestingly, I thought that was a Paul Anderson joke. He has had a everyone is expendable mentality in his horror films (look at Even Horizon and Resident Evil) and with the whole "we're fathers" speech followed quickly by the demise of one character and then afterward by the rather humorous demise of the other I figured Anderson was giving the finger to all the movies that feature characters that "deserve" to survive these types of films. Sure this was undermined by letting Alex survive and he went too far by killing Weyland (totally ruining a potential continuity link).
As for the humans dying off unintirestingly, I thought that was a Paul Anderson joke. He has had a everyone is expendable mentality in his horror films (look at Even Horizon and Resident Evil) and with the whole "we're fathers" speech followed quickly by the demise of one character and then afterward by the rather humorous demise of the other I figured Anderson was giving the finger to all the movies that feature characters that "deserve" to survive these types of films. Sure this was undermined by letting Alex survive and he went too far by killing Weyland (totally ruining a potential continuity link).
08-17-04 | 09:34 PM
#331
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Let me start by saying PG-13 vs R wasn't a big deal in the film. I would have preferred the R and the extra violence/realistic swearing it would bring, but whatever.
Secondly, the Aliens vs Predator idea is a very good one and was pulled of great in the comics.
As for AvP the movie... disappointing would be the best word. I'm a huge fan of both franchises and have read some of the comics - mainly the AvP stuff. I moderately enjoyed the movie as a popcorn flick because I went in with extremely low expectations. Nevertheless, it suffers from plenty of things that have been mentioned already.
I won't even bother getting into how the movie was rushed. Teaming up, the gestation, character development... all could have worked fine if it wasn't so short.
The main problem as I see it is, of course, Anderson. What he did throughout the movie (and the interviews with him basically confirm this ) was try to make it his alien and predator movie. Not necessarily a bad thing to do normally, but when you're playing off two well established genres. People will and obviously did notice the changes. Plus, the changes were made for the sake of change, not for the sake of a better story.
Unfortunately, he handled the changes poorly. Longer blades? Who gives a damn? Changing the predator view? Would anyone complain if they had come in with the standard view and simply flipped a switch to the new one - thus establishing that they use a different mode for hunting aliens? No, I bet not. Personally, it didn't bother me, but it just seems like such a simple thing to do to not remove people from the movie by making them think, "didn't they see/hear different before?" Not to mention changing the aliens as much as he did.
It's not about being obsessive or nit-picky, it's about creating a movie viewing experience. When you have an established characteristic - predator view, alien gestation - and you change it, it takes people out of the movie because it's different than what is expected. If you're watching a movie, oh let's say Gladiator, and Maximus is seen drinking a coke, you could certainly explain it away by saying some time travelers gave it to him off screen, but that wouldn't make it justifiable in the course of telling a movie. Obviously that's an extreme example, but I'm unimaginative at the moment.
The main "distraction", however, was the whole pyramid and mythology angle. Not only was it hokey and poorly conceived, but it is completely illogical. Antarctica may have been inhabitable at one point, but certainly not just a few millenia ago.
Right now, I picture Anderson imagining the film, "Wow, wouldn't it be neat if I did _____ and it'd be extra awesome if ______. Rad." It seems like an 11 year old made the plot with his buddies and came up with every crazy idea possible and then mushed them all together.
Blah, I could continue, but this has already been too scattered and random. The thing that ruins the movie most for me is that it was a letdown. It could easily have been done better -- heck, I read a better script from 1994 (or whenever). Anderson is indeed the suck.
Secondly, the Aliens vs Predator idea is a very good one and was pulled of great in the comics.
As for AvP the movie... disappointing would be the best word. I'm a huge fan of both franchises and have read some of the comics - mainly the AvP stuff. I moderately enjoyed the movie as a popcorn flick because I went in with extremely low expectations. Nevertheless, it suffers from plenty of things that have been mentioned already.
I won't even bother getting into how the movie was rushed. Teaming up, the gestation, character development... all could have worked fine if it wasn't so short.
The main problem as I see it is, of course, Anderson. What he did throughout the movie (and the interviews with him basically confirm this ) was try to make it his alien and predator movie. Not necessarily a bad thing to do normally, but when you're playing off two well established genres. People will and obviously did notice the changes. Plus, the changes were made for the sake of change, not for the sake of a better story.
Unfortunately, he handled the changes poorly. Longer blades? Who gives a damn? Changing the predator view? Would anyone complain if they had come in with the standard view and simply flipped a switch to the new one - thus establishing that they use a different mode for hunting aliens? No, I bet not. Personally, it didn't bother me, but it just seems like such a simple thing to do to not remove people from the movie by making them think, "didn't they see/hear different before?" Not to mention changing the aliens as much as he did.
It's not about being obsessive or nit-picky, it's about creating a movie viewing experience. When you have an established characteristic - predator view, alien gestation - and you change it, it takes people out of the movie because it's different than what is expected. If you're watching a movie, oh let's say Gladiator, and Maximus is seen drinking a coke, you could certainly explain it away by saying some time travelers gave it to him off screen, but that wouldn't make it justifiable in the course of telling a movie. Obviously that's an extreme example, but I'm unimaginative at the moment.
The main "distraction", however, was the whole pyramid and mythology angle. Not only was it hokey and poorly conceived, but it is completely illogical. Antarctica may have been inhabitable at one point, but certainly not just a few millenia ago.
Right now, I picture Anderson imagining the film, "Wow, wouldn't it be neat if I did _____ and it'd be extra awesome if ______. Rad." It seems like an 11 year old made the plot with his buddies and came up with every crazy idea possible and then mushed them all together.
Blah, I could continue, but this has already been too scattered and random. The thing that ruins the movie most for me is that it was a letdown. It could easily have been done better -- heck, I read a better script from 1994 (or whenever). Anderson is indeed the suck.
08-18-04 | 02:03 AM
#332
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Saw this one on opening night and I agree with all of your complaints. The idea has so much potential, but the realization by Anderson just failed. That said, I knew what I was getting into beforehand, so it was all good. The thing that made the movie for me was the two 50 year old couples sitting directly behind me and my friends at an 11:00 pm showing. I have no idea what possessed them to see the movie, but classic quotes such as these made the movie a memorable one for me:
1. Predators show up at base camp and take out the first group. We hear one of the wives ask, "Who are those guys and why are they here?"
2. After each of the first 5 or 6 "cut-away" death scenes they would have a 30 second debate whether or not the person/group had actually been killed.
3. Again, one of the wives asked "why the ugly ones were so mean".
and finally,
4. After the first two predators were killed guy 1 told guy 2 something like, "I told you they were gonna lose". Then, once the predator had his shoulder cannon and blasted a couple aliens guy 2 told guy 1 "I told you the predators would win." Followed by one of the women asking which were the Predators!
I'm sure there was more, but I don't remember everything. Me and two of my buddies were cracking up. Had I been into the movie I would've been pissed, but I couldn't have cared less and I think their commentary actually increased my enjoyment of the film.
1. Predators show up at base camp and take out the first group. We hear one of the wives ask, "Who are those guys and why are they here?"
2. After each of the first 5 or 6 "cut-away" death scenes they would have a 30 second debate whether or not the person/group had actually been killed.
3. Again, one of the wives asked "why the ugly ones were so mean".
and finally,
4. After the first two predators were killed guy 1 told guy 2 something like, "I told you they were gonna lose". Then, once the predator had his shoulder cannon and blasted a couple aliens guy 2 told guy 1 "I told you the predators would win." Followed by one of the women asking which were the Predators!
I'm sure there was more, but I don't remember everything. Me and two of my buddies were cracking up. Had I been into the movie I would've been pissed, but I couldn't have cared less and I think their commentary actually increased my enjoyment of the film.
Last edited by Dorsalphin; 08-18-04 at 02:12 AM.
08-18-04 | 06:00 AM
#333
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From: City of the lakers.. riots.. and drug dealing cops.. los(t) Angel(e)s. ca.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0370263/board/flat/11022775
Somehow I don't believe him. His take on a lot of the predator and alien characters twisting them and making them his own was his undoing. You can't take something well established and twist it to make it your own with whatever style or add on you want to do just for the hell of it or just cause it's cool to you.
and all the gore in the world can't save this film. I knew they were under a tight deadline but I doubt a sub plot will change the whole crap filled plot of having it ALIEN VS PREDATOR VS THE CUBE like it was.
Hi, I'm back from the screening and Q&A and while I was able to ask some of the questions you guys posed, I couldn't get them all in. Regardless, many of the people who were also there had similar questions.
First of all, this screening was made up of industry professionals and filmmakers. No actors, but David Fincher, (Director of Alien 3) was there, which was cool. Now the audience were trying to be respectful in the beginning but as the film unfolded, the audience ended up really trashing the film. It was astounding to see Anderson's colleagues and friends openly making fun of his film, with him in the room!
When the Predator took off his helmet in front of Lex after the explosions someone shouted "Gimme some sugar, baby." I mean, this movie was bad, but I didn't expect these people to be so blatant about it.
When Anderson and the effects guys approached the tables, they were smirking with each other. The first subject that came up, no thanks to me, was the length and PG-13 rating.
So here it is, from the horses mouth.
About the studio's cutting of the film, which he had no control over, he said, and I quote, "All of the best scenes were cut." Anderson was obviously very annoyed at the way the film was released. However, this was not purely because of the PG-13 limitation, which incidentally, the studio enforced THREE WEEKS before the release date! It was always going to be R until then. Part of the reason for the cutting was that some of the effects were not ready by the time the release date came around. The effects team had very little time to do anything.
As far as the content that was cut, apparently we see all those who die, die on screen, but he also said that there is a sub-plot that we will have to wait for on DVD. Yes there will be an R-rated Director's cut DVD although they don't know the release date yet.
Without saying anything that could dig his own grave, Anderson tactfully pinned the fault of the poor quality of the film on the studio's cut. We all know that the script and performances was not quite up to par either, but then it was time for me to ask my first question.
"What specifically, makes you [Anderson] such a fan of the original 6 films?"
He went on to say that he thought they each had their own unique voice and were incredibly creative within a genre that often leads to purely formulaic films (ahem, mate, this is you!). He said that he was attempting to add his own unique voice to the series while paying hommage to the original source material. He also thought that the creatures, were the two greatest inventions in Science Fiction history. Someone then said, "Beyond lightsabers?" and he replied, "yes, even beyond lightsabers."
Some other effects questions were asked, which had some cool insights. The explosion sequence encompassed for half the budget, which was only 65mil in the first place (for a film like this, this is nothing), and all the shifting of the walls, yes ALL OF IT, was completely CGI. There were no moving live sets. Having watched it again, I have to say, I couldn't tell, and all my friends know that if there's some CG in a film, I'll see it. That impressed me. Also, they changed the appearance of the Queen slightly, adding a ridge to her crown and taking away, what they call, the "high heals" that she wore (the second reverse knee). Also, 80% of all the shots with an Alien in it was the hydraulic Alien they built.
Anyway, effects aside, I asked another question.
"I know that the AVP project has been surrounded by controversy since the first attempt in the early nineties. Why did you choose to not use any of the pre-existing stories, the original comic series, the Peter Briggs script, etc?"
He told me that he wanted to make the film his own. He also proclaimed that he'd had the idea for this film ever since seeing Predator 2. I thought that was probably ego-driven BS, but regardless, it's what he said. He also said that the Peter Briggs script is completely off-limits, shelved indefinately by Dark Horse and they won't let anyone tough it. Sounds to me like he tried, heh heh.
Later I asked some technical nerd questions. I wasn't the only one. I started by stating that I noticed some glaring continuity errors between this film and the pre-established occurences in the previous 6 films. Anderson stopped me before I could continue and said due to the "mangling" of the film, there was a lot left out. I asked, "Does that include the acceleration of the alien life cycle or was that just conveniant."
Whoops, I had hit a nerve. He shook his head. "No, no, the machine that the Predators built to house the Queen pumps her full of hormones that accelerate the birth of the creatures. If we'd seen the REAL film, we'd know that." Ouch.
The answer to why Aliens attacked the incubated predator was that the alien inside the Predator was not sanctified by the Aliens because it was essentially a different species due to the DNA reflex the Alien's possess. Okay, I guess I could go with that.
The Q&A wrapped up with talks about the digital intermediate and the difference between working with Super35 and Anamorphic.
I tried asking a last question but they ended it before I could. I pretty much hogged the Q&A as it was.
Afterwards I went and shook Anderson's hand. He remembered me from a mutual acquaintances birthday party. I told him I couldn;t wait for the Director's Cut and was really nice. I asked about a sequal and he said he'd thought about it but nothing concrete was in motion. They were waiting to see about the returns. I told him I had what he neede and I would send him my treatment through CAA. I assured him it was a direct sequal and he said, "Good." I then said, so they're letting you have a Director's cut, huh? He said, "yeah, it'll be great." Then I said, can I give you some advice from the youngest generation of filmmakers, namely, me." He said, "Sure, go for it." I said, "The facehuggers are fast, damn fast, get rid of the matrix shot when they jump out of the eggs for the first time." He said he'd take that into consideration. Then I started talking about the reviews. I talked about IMDB and how much of a "Lover Versus Haters" war had erupted. He seemed amused by that and then said, to my surprise, well, as a filmmaker, I'm satisfied with the film, but as a fan of the originals, this cut really pisses me off, so it makes sense I guess." he said he'd check it out (the IMDB boards) but I can't gaurantee that will happen. Just know that, if in a week or two someone comes on claiming to be Anderson, it might well be him.
All in all I was really happy about what he had to say. It was great to hear a filmmaker so honest about his work and he knows that he has a long way to go before he is any good as a filmmaker. Having talked to him before, I know that the films he is making now are films that, he feels, will only get him to a place where he can really excel.
First of all, this screening was made up of industry professionals and filmmakers. No actors, but David Fincher, (Director of Alien 3) was there, which was cool. Now the audience were trying to be respectful in the beginning but as the film unfolded, the audience ended up really trashing the film. It was astounding to see Anderson's colleagues and friends openly making fun of his film, with him in the room!
When the Predator took off his helmet in front of Lex after the explosions someone shouted "Gimme some sugar, baby." I mean, this movie was bad, but I didn't expect these people to be so blatant about it.
When Anderson and the effects guys approached the tables, they were smirking with each other. The first subject that came up, no thanks to me, was the length and PG-13 rating.
So here it is, from the horses mouth.
About the studio's cutting of the film, which he had no control over, he said, and I quote, "All of the best scenes were cut." Anderson was obviously very annoyed at the way the film was released. However, this was not purely because of the PG-13 limitation, which incidentally, the studio enforced THREE WEEKS before the release date! It was always going to be R until then. Part of the reason for the cutting was that some of the effects were not ready by the time the release date came around. The effects team had very little time to do anything.
As far as the content that was cut, apparently we see all those who die, die on screen, but he also said that there is a sub-plot that we will have to wait for on DVD. Yes there will be an R-rated Director's cut DVD although they don't know the release date yet.
Without saying anything that could dig his own grave, Anderson tactfully pinned the fault of the poor quality of the film on the studio's cut. We all know that the script and performances was not quite up to par either, but then it was time for me to ask my first question.
"What specifically, makes you [Anderson] such a fan of the original 6 films?"
He went on to say that he thought they each had their own unique voice and were incredibly creative within a genre that often leads to purely formulaic films (ahem, mate, this is you!). He said that he was attempting to add his own unique voice to the series while paying hommage to the original source material. He also thought that the creatures, were the two greatest inventions in Science Fiction history. Someone then said, "Beyond lightsabers?" and he replied, "yes, even beyond lightsabers."
Some other effects questions were asked, which had some cool insights. The explosion sequence encompassed for half the budget, which was only 65mil in the first place (for a film like this, this is nothing), and all the shifting of the walls, yes ALL OF IT, was completely CGI. There were no moving live sets. Having watched it again, I have to say, I couldn't tell, and all my friends know that if there's some CG in a film, I'll see it. That impressed me. Also, they changed the appearance of the Queen slightly, adding a ridge to her crown and taking away, what they call, the "high heals" that she wore (the second reverse knee). Also, 80% of all the shots with an Alien in it was the hydraulic Alien they built.
Anyway, effects aside, I asked another question.
"I know that the AVP project has been surrounded by controversy since the first attempt in the early nineties. Why did you choose to not use any of the pre-existing stories, the original comic series, the Peter Briggs script, etc?"
He told me that he wanted to make the film his own. He also proclaimed that he'd had the idea for this film ever since seeing Predator 2. I thought that was probably ego-driven BS, but regardless, it's what he said. He also said that the Peter Briggs script is completely off-limits, shelved indefinately by Dark Horse and they won't let anyone tough it. Sounds to me like he tried, heh heh.
Later I asked some technical nerd questions. I wasn't the only one. I started by stating that I noticed some glaring continuity errors between this film and the pre-established occurences in the previous 6 films. Anderson stopped me before I could continue and said due to the "mangling" of the film, there was a lot left out. I asked, "Does that include the acceleration of the alien life cycle or was that just conveniant."
Whoops, I had hit a nerve. He shook his head. "No, no, the machine that the Predators built to house the Queen pumps her full of hormones that accelerate the birth of the creatures. If we'd seen the REAL film, we'd know that." Ouch.
The answer to why Aliens attacked the incubated predator was that the alien inside the Predator was not sanctified by the Aliens because it was essentially a different species due to the DNA reflex the Alien's possess. Okay, I guess I could go with that.
The Q&A wrapped up with talks about the digital intermediate and the difference between working with Super35 and Anamorphic.
I tried asking a last question but they ended it before I could. I pretty much hogged the Q&A as it was.
Afterwards I went and shook Anderson's hand. He remembered me from a mutual acquaintances birthday party. I told him I couldn;t wait for the Director's Cut and was really nice. I asked about a sequal and he said he'd thought about it but nothing concrete was in motion. They were waiting to see about the returns. I told him I had what he neede and I would send him my treatment through CAA. I assured him it was a direct sequal and he said, "Good." I then said, so they're letting you have a Director's cut, huh? He said, "yeah, it'll be great." Then I said, can I give you some advice from the youngest generation of filmmakers, namely, me." He said, "Sure, go for it." I said, "The facehuggers are fast, damn fast, get rid of the matrix shot when they jump out of the eggs for the first time." He said he'd take that into consideration. Then I started talking about the reviews. I talked about IMDB and how much of a "Lover Versus Haters" war had erupted. He seemed amused by that and then said, to my surprise, well, as a filmmaker, I'm satisfied with the film, but as a fan of the originals, this cut really pisses me off, so it makes sense I guess." he said he'd check it out (the IMDB boards) but I can't gaurantee that will happen. Just know that, if in a week or two someone comes on claiming to be Anderson, it might well be him.
All in all I was really happy about what he had to say. It was great to hear a filmmaker so honest about his work and he knows that he has a long way to go before he is any good as a filmmaker. Having talked to him before, I know that the films he is making now are films that, he feels, will only get him to a place where he can really excel.
and all the gore in the world can't save this film. I knew they were under a tight deadline but I doubt a sub plot will change the whole crap filled plot of having it ALIEN VS PREDATOR VS THE CUBE like it was.
08-18-04 | 07:30 AM
#334
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This sounds like a typical fanboy trying to shift the blame to all evil "studio" I'm sure that the studio mandated a PG-13 rating, but any of the the cuts that would help explain this POS, like Aliens gestating in minutes is surely something that Anderson messed up.
08-18-04 | 08:14 AM
#335
DVD Talk Legend
If that IMDB quote is true, then it's exactly what I expected. I think a Director's Cut will make the film alot better, but it probably won't make the film great. I'm under no dillusions that Anderson is one of the most brilliant minds of our time or anything, but I do feel he is a competent and skilled director and that the AvP film I saw was beneath him. Hopefully the DC will remedy that... we'll see. It sounds like it was rushed which may explain the look of the Predator view and the lack of appropriate sounds here and there.
08-18-04 | 02:41 PM
#341
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From: City of the lakers.. riots.. and drug dealing cops.. los(t) Angel(e)s. ca.
Anderson stopped me before I could continue and said due to the "mangling" of the film, there was a lot left out. I asked, "Does that include the acceleration of the alien life cycle or was that just conveniant."
"No, no, the machine that the Predators built to house the Queen pumps her full of hormones that accelerate the birth of the creatures. If we'd seen the REAL film, we'd know that."
"No, no, the machine that the Predators built to house the Queen pumps her full of hormones that accelerate the birth of the creatures. If we'd seen the REAL film, we'd know that."
Sure paulie.. sure.. The fact remains that I still haven't seen that so called Unrated cut of Resident evil where their is more then 5 minutes of zombies.
We will indeed have to wait and see. But if it's anything like DAWN OF THE DEAD (2004) where the so called deleted scenes were suppose to add mroe to the character developement then I'm not holding my breath because that 10 minutes just added a bit more gore... which I assume this uncut will do.
I doubt in that 14 minutes he's going to connect the franchises together, show more of the predators that died within 2 minutes of their screen time and so forth.
But shit, I'm still going to buy it cause it's a fox title.
08-18-04 | 03:30 PM
#342
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Originally posted by shill66
No, it's not 87 minutes. It's 101 minutes. Unless you leave as soon as the credits roll.
No, it's not 87 minutes. It's 101 minutes. Unless you leave as soon as the credits roll.
Movie-Source.com ---> 87 minutes
Yahoo! Movies ---> 1 hr. 27 min.
E! Online ---> 1 hr 27 mins
Although, with the quote in Jack's post above, stating that cuts were made only 3 weeks prior to release date, other reports stating that 23 minutes were cut, and a little simple edition could possibly lead to an explaination . . .
87 min theatrical runtime + 23 min of cut footage = 110 minute original announced runtime ???
Anyway here are my thoughts on the movie . . .
Spoiler:
So, overall, I thought that the movie was doing REALLY well up until right before the sled ride up. Then, the story just went all to pot. A big time drop of the ball.
Let's hope that the rumors of the longer DC on the DVD are true. I still think this movie could be saved.
08-18-04 | 04:10 PM
#344
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Everywhere it's being reported at 87 minutes is wrong, because it's simply incorrect information being repeated and repeated and repeated.
Someone on the HSX board stopwatched it at 100 minutes 48 seconds. I didn't time the movie myself, but the scheduled start time was 12:00 and I walked out of the theater after credits at 1:55, and it felt like 10 to 15 minutes of trailers before the feature.
If it's 100 minutes 48 seconds, and 12 minutes of that (approx) is end credits, I begin to see where the first mistake may have been made.
Someone on the HSX board stopwatched it at 100 minutes 48 seconds. I didn't time the movie myself, but the scheduled start time was 12:00 and I walked out of the theater after credits at 1:55, and it felt like 10 to 15 minutes of trailers before the feature.
If it's 100 minutes 48 seconds, and 12 minutes of that (approx) is end credits, I begin to see where the first mistake may have been made.
08-18-04 | 04:36 PM
#345
Moderator
the BBFC ratings board denotes that the film is
100m 39s in length, and their pretty anal (and correct) when it comes to running times.
on the movie, I loved it. It kicked ass!
100m 39s in length, and their pretty anal (and correct) when it comes to running times.
on the movie, I loved it. It kicked ass!
08-18-04 | 06:22 PM
#347
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Originally posted by Breakfast with Girls
Seriously, stop with the spoiler tags. The thread is on page 9.
Seriously, stop with the spoiler tags. The thread is on page 9.
No spoiler warnings are in the title, so I decided to be considerate. Get the warning put in the title and I'll take the tags off.
08-18-04 | 07:32 PM
#348
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From: City of the lakers.. riots.. and drug dealing cops.. los(t) Angel(e)s. ca.
spoiler warnings should stop after page 4. I mean come on, someone who reads past that point on a film they haven't seen have invested to much free time on it.
08-18-04 | 07:50 PM
#349
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I'm a fan of the first 2 Alien movies and let's say a partial fan of the 3rd. (I know nothing about the cames, comics, graphic novels or whatever else there is) I prefer the extended cut of 3 on the DVD. 4 remains an abomination IMO, ending with the creation of a monster that looks silly and stupid and not the least bit terrifying. What I like most is the alien biology and life cycle and how these movies develop it. In truth, none of the movies are in complete agreement with the way the Alien lives and develops. In some ways I think Cameron actually improved on the Alien concept and it could also be argued that Scott's re-cut of the original for last year's re-release actually brings it a bit more in line with the Cameron sequel.
I have no interest in the Predator series, although the first one is OK. For that reason I had no interest at all in AVP either until a friend who saw it started telling me about it. I had envisioned that the Alien biology would have been tossed out the window and AVP would have basically been a monster vs. monster flick with very little else behind it. Regardless of how much you like or don't like it, it's certainly more developed than that.
The alien is the key player in this movie and it's biology, admittedly different again, is much of what drives the story line. That's what sold me on going to see it. With little expectation, I enjoyed the film tremendously. For me, the accuracy of the Predator characteristics was of little importance and they could have even improved the film by creating some other original warrior type alien to fill that role. The Predator was mis-cast, but hey that's hollywood, they wanted a celebrity in that role to sell more tickets.
The use of Bishop was another connection to the alien series and I agree, it made sense that he was there but he should have lived or they should have developed how his existence in this story would play into the "future" alien stories. Clearly, even in the first Alien film, Weyland industries had some hidden agenda and AVP ties into that but it could have been even neater.
In the original Alien design concepts, The alien nests were built as pyramids. This is explained in the supplemental Alien material on the disks. I liked the fact that this obvious nod was made to that concept in AVP even though the pyramids are actually attributed to the Predators in this story.
I guess a lot of people take the these Alien and Predator series more seriously. For me, there was enough a connection, at least on the alien side, to make this a very entertaining film.
I have no interest in the Predator series, although the first one is OK. For that reason I had no interest at all in AVP either until a friend who saw it started telling me about it. I had envisioned that the Alien biology would have been tossed out the window and AVP would have basically been a monster vs. monster flick with very little else behind it. Regardless of how much you like or don't like it, it's certainly more developed than that.
The alien is the key player in this movie and it's biology, admittedly different again, is much of what drives the story line. That's what sold me on going to see it. With little expectation, I enjoyed the film tremendously. For me, the accuracy of the Predator characteristics was of little importance and they could have even improved the film by creating some other original warrior type alien to fill that role. The Predator was mis-cast, but hey that's hollywood, they wanted a celebrity in that role to sell more tickets.
The use of Bishop was another connection to the alien series and I agree, it made sense that he was there but he should have lived or they should have developed how his existence in this story would play into the "future" alien stories. Clearly, even in the first Alien film, Weyland industries had some hidden agenda and AVP ties into that but it could have been even neater.
In the original Alien design concepts, The alien nests were built as pyramids. This is explained in the supplemental Alien material on the disks. I liked the fact that this obvious nod was made to that concept in AVP even though the pyramids are actually attributed to the Predators in this story.
I guess a lot of people take the these Alien and Predator series more seriously. For me, there was enough a connection, at least on the alien side, to make this a very entertaining film.
08-18-04 | 08:05 PM
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From: City of the lakers.. riots.. and drug dealing cops.. los(t) Angel(e)s. ca.
Weyland industries had some hidden agenda and AVP ties into that but it could have been even neater.
For me, the accuracy of the Predator characteristics was of little importance
The pyramids were also just tossed in. Predators created them or taught humans to build them in their honor. Alien orgins aren't going to be linked there. if anything all it is is a cage that Predators use to house a frozen queen for the hunt. I would assume that predators have these things on many different planets.
More seriously? Nah, I just want proper representation for both creatures and not half assing it. If you are going to do a film about it atleast act like the events and the things already established in the past franchise films have some effect or weight on your choices and why you do things.