#TIFF18: “THE PREDATOR” REVIEW

Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong

Nearly 32 years after the Predator landed on Earth, Co-Writer/Director Shane Black has returned to his roots and brought TIFF along for the World Premiere. A group of soldiers haunted by their PTSD must fight off the Predator after he crash lands on Earth, avoiding the massive government cover up along the way.

The Predator is the very definition of a mixed bag. I went in with a fair amount of hype and trepidation, but was ultimately left cold. The Film has the trademark Shane Black-written wit and laughs, and is also rather viciously violent with its gore. The beast delightfully murders anyone he crosses paths with in increasingly more inventive ways. And while there are plenty of arguments to be made about the right balance between CGI and practical make-up effects, The Predator’s biggest issue is its editing. It distracts in some instances with how choppy it is (and how some scenes feel completely tacked on), and in others, does away with some characters entirely. But the Film’s MVP is without a doubt, Sterling K. Brown. He has a blast hamming it up for the camera, leaving smouldering ash in his wake.

The Predator screens on Thursday, September 6 at 11:59 PM at Ryerson Theatre [World Premiere], Friday, September 7 at 9:30PM at Scotiabank Theatre and Tuesday, September 11 at 9:45 PM at Scotiabank Theatre.