Why is this movie rated PG-13?

Ever since the slimy black beast of Ridley Scott’s Alien and the deadly hunter in The Predator graced movie screens, science fiction fans have wondered which one would win in a fight? It’s one of those classic jumping off points for geek excess.

NOTE: This is a reprint for archive purposes and refers to the PG-13 AvP from early 00 other than the equally bad more recent one not covered here.

Like arguments over Superman vs. Thor or Batman vs. Spider-Man, everyone’s got an opinion on what would happen if you tossed them into the virtual ring and ran a Mortal Kombatesque “FIGHT!” text across the screen. With the theatrical release of Alien vs. Predator, we finally get to see these two sides square off. Thankfully, the film finds a way to both entertain and further the mythos of these two fantastic movie monsters in a way that almost guarantees they’ll be at each others throats again soon.
The plot doesn’t negate the canon of either series of films but does find a unique way to bring the two together and involve the human race at the same time. It works as both a one shot pairing of these creatures as well as a jumping off point for intertwined adventures in the future. A satellite detects a heat source in Antartica far beneath the surface of the ice in the year 2004. A human team is assembled to investigate that is led by Charles Bishop Weyland played by the man with more dramatic lines in his face than even the Predators, Lance Henriksen. Obviously the humans are going to be messing with both of the film’s title characters upon arrival. That’s about all you really should know going in as there’s a lot of nice surprises waiting for fans.

Effects are nicely done for the film and really avoid gratuitous use of CG. There are plenty of animatronic and human guys in suits style aliens and predators and it makes a huge difference in the believability of combat. The payoff for the years of wait is there too. When the Predators finally take on the Aliens, it’s as brutal and as action packed as you’d expect. Director Paul W.S. Anderson keeps the film intentionally dark and bleak, even during action scenes, with only splashes of red, purple and green along with the requisite “inside the headgear” shots from the Predators providing truly colorful scenes.

Nobody in the cast truly stands out other than Henriksen, but everyone is more than competent. Lance lights up every scene he’s in. This guy is a cult hero and with good reason. He’s played some of the most memorable genre characters through the years and his gravelly voice along with his distinct verbal cadence really makes him a standout. Sanaa Lathan, the female protagonist of the film, does an admirable job of chewing the scenery against Henriksen’s Weyland while presenting just a smidge of Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley for the audience to latch onto. She also holds up well next to the Predators, something only Arnie and Danny Glover have done before. That said, the humans aren’t the real focus here. The story isn’t going to win an Oscar but it definitely does enough to give fans more insight into the mysterious Predator race including a huge revelation regarding their relationship to the human race.

That’s where the movie ultimately really succeeds. It provides everyone with just enough “stuff” and comes together in such a way that it’s neither too weak nor does it overreach for something its budget and actors might have failed to provide. Same goes for Anderson’s direction which is suspenseful in its delivery of sight and sound but never pushes too far. It’s professionally directed and scripted to provide everything you want from the film. A much bigger and overblown sequel might be nice, but the intimacy of a few Predators, Aliens and Humans squaring off isn’t lost on this film’s creators. It ultimately keeps the entire film grounded in a way that honors what came before, pushes a little bit into new territory and answers that question of which side would win in a fight. Well… sort of…

Kid Factor: Wow, where to begin? The movie is rated PG-13 but it is definitely violent. There is plenty of human death. The Predators and aliens both do in their fair share of the pink, fleshy ones as you’d expect. A movie like this would almost certainly have received an R rating some years ago. It’s violent, scary, dark and features evil little creatures popping out of people’s chests. The humans bring along plenty of cannon fodder and they all die in gruesome ways. To get the PG-13, a lot of this is implied and not directly shown on screen, but it could definitely be frightening to kids. Of course, with aliens (two types!) involved in the killing, for some reason it’s a little different than other people doing these horrible things. Be forewarned though, no matter how you feel about alien vs. human or alien vs. alien combat, this movie is violent as hell. There’s one F-bomb in there too. It probably ought to have gotten an R.

Reviewer Recommended Ages: 16+
Genre: Sci Fi/Fantasy
MPAA Rating: PG-13 – Parents Strongly Cautioned
Distributor/Studio: 20th Century Fox.
Directory: Paul W.S. Anderson

Tags: Movies with Children