The Predator (2018)

Synopsis: While on a mission a sniper encounters an alien and manages to survive and ship some of the creature's equipment back to the states. He is detained and set to be locked away by a secret government group with a group of soldiers with psychological issues when the creature escapes. He and his fellow patients escape, team up with a scientist studying the creature, and head to his home to save his autistic son (who has been playing with the alien's tech) from the Predator and the secret government organization.

The Good: The actions scenes in this flick are very cinematic and well shot. The gore effects are good and the characters are memorable. Boyd Holbrook is a great lead. The Predators and their tech look awesome. If you're a fan of the franchise, there are some nice nods. There's a line about a getting to the choppers and the Predator is called a "beautiful mother fucker." Jake Busey plays the son of his father's character from Predator 2. Also the suit that's introduced in this film looks wicked cool!

The Bad: While they are primarily action flicks the original Predator movies focused on tension and suspense and were in some ways, sci-fi horror action flicks. There's too much humor in this one for there to be much tension built. I think the humans in this were too cinematic and over the top with their action. In previous flicks it took the best killers to even put a dint in the Predators, but these guys didn't need to much to hold them off (even if most of the characters do eventually end up dead or not). Not that the previous films features realistic violence, but it was more so then this movie. I didn't necessarily care for the new plot elements. I don't want to go into them really, but I don't think I care that it's added to their motivation. Also, the whole plot point about autism seems like a stretch and a subject that might be more than a little touchy. Finally, I say this as a former educator and someone that still works with kids, what kind of educator/caregiver leaves their classroom during a fire alarm with out checking to make sure it's clear first? One that's going to get fired, I suppose.

Final Thoughts: I enjoyed this movie, but I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as I'd hoped I would. There are some great scenes and the cast is great. Overall, I didn't like the stylistic or plot choices though. The reviews for this one were bad, but I say, watch it yourself and make your own opinion.

In Your Game:

Yautja (DNA Hybrid)
Armor Class: 15                                            Attack Damage: By Weapon

Hit Dice: 8                                                      Special: Stealthy, Well Equipped

Move: 12                                                        Bonuses: +5 to Hit, +5 to Toughness

Attacks: 2 per Round                                     HDE: 10

This Predator is genetically the ultimate hunter. It get a +4 bonus to all stealth based rolls. It also has access to various equipment.

Cloak - This piece of equipment allows the Yautja to appear invisible. This isn't perfect though and characters have a 1 in 3 chance of seeing the Yautja when it is moving. Cloaking devices can be damaged and if the Yautja takes more than 10 points of damage in a single attack, the device ceases to function until repaired.

Biomask- This mask gives it's wearer a +2 bonus to AC. In addition it gives its wearer various vision modes (including zoom capabilities, infrared, and EM vision). This grants the wearer +4 on rolls made to spot a target that is hiding. It also allows for voice mimicry and has a targeting system that gives it's wearer a +1 bonus to attacks using a plasmacaster.

Plasmacaster - This should mounted cannon is quite deadly. It has a 90' range and does 2d6 damage. They can be fired 3 consecutive rounds before needing five minutes to recharge.

Medicomp - This is a powerful and versatile first aid kits. It can be used to heal 2d6 damage 3/day. However this healing is actually quite painful and non-Yautja receiving the healing are unable to act for 2d6 round as they howl in pain or possibly go into temporary shock.

Shuriken/Smart Disc - These thrown weapons have a 50' range and deal 1d6+1 damage. They can be used as cutting tools. When thrown they will return to their thrower. Anyone wearing a biomask gets a +2 bonus to hit with this weapon. The thrower can make consecutive attacks on the following 1d3 rounds with the weapon even if it's not returned to their hand. These attacks do not take an attack action to perform.